If the Shoe Fits, Wear It–or Don’t: Transitioning to Barefoot Running

Most avid runners will describe their chosen sport as liberating, challenging, a great way to commune with nature and, most of all, simplistic in its equipment requirements. One can just don a pair of high-quality running shoes and hit the open road. Or might it be even easier than that? In recent years, a debate has begun to surface regarding the most optimal choice of footwear when running.

Diaphragmatic Breathing: Assessment & Corrective Ideas

The average individual takes about 12,000 breaths in a day. This presents a huge problem for those with dysfunctional breathing patterns.

Is There a ‘Male Menopause’? Testosterone Decreases with Age

Is there a ‘Male Menopause’? The accurate answer to this question, of course, is no, as menopause refers to the cessation of menstruation in women. However once a man reaches the age of 30, the testosterone production in his body will decrease by an average rate of 1-2% per year.

Strength Training for Children and Adolescents

Many parents focus on helping their child reach their full academic potential, with tutoring, homework, and structure. Children have an athletic potential as well that is often overlooked, or taught that team sports alone will help them reach it. While I don’t discount the importance of learning teamwork, team sports alone will not help a child reach that potential. If they excel at a sport or sports, getting them involved early in strength and conditioning training can mean the difference between playing at the varsity level, possible college scholarship, or reaching the dream of professional sports.

What is the SAID Principle?

There is little room for argument that every sport poses its own unique demands. So in order to improve skills unique to a particular sport, it’s best to practice the moves used in that sport. That is the concept behind the Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands (SAID) principle.

Improving Cardiorespiratory Endurance

Improving cardiorespiratory endurance shouldn’t be a goal for athletes only. Here’s what personal trainers need to know about this important general fitness variable. Cardiorespiratory Endurance = Efficiency Regular aerobic exercise enhances cardiorespiratory endurance by improving the body’s ability to take in and utilize oxygen. A fit cardiorespiratory system has been found to lower the risk […]

Fat as Fuel for Exercise: The Physiology of Burning Adipose Tissue

Fats serve many purposes in the body including insulation against ambient temperature, cushioning in and around the joints, hormone production, and, yes, as a source of fuel.

Understanding Exercise Injury Risk Factors

A basic assumption among people when they work is out that they leave the gym in some way better than they did when they came in. For that reason, it’s important place as much emphasis on injury prevention, treatment and/or management as on the effectiveness of fitness program design.

It’s not an Earthquake – It’s a Lifestyle Shift

A client came to me recently with a goal of holding his “spare tire” at bay. While this is a rather amorphous platform from which to spring forward, I accepted the challenge and wrote him a basic exercise plan. However, when I attempted to touch on the subject of nutrition, he virtually jumped down my throat, informing me that he still wanted to “enjoy life”, and he was unwilling to accept any dietary restrictions or changes to his current favorite foods.

Training the Basketball Athlete

All athletes understand the need for proper conditioning in order to excel in their particular sport. If their body is not in top shape they will not be able to compete at the level needed or expected. The purpose of training is to improve the performance and conditioning of the athlete in their particular sport. In the case of the basketball athlete, their integrated movement of agility, strength, explosiveness and cardio conditioning should be the major focus of their training.