A strong core is the foundation of proper movement patterns, injury prevention, and athletic prowess yet deciding which exercises to program for which client may…
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Category: Exercise Science, Biology, and Research
How Nitric Oxide Improves Muscular Contractions
Though the exact method remains somewhat unclear, dietary nitrate (a source of nitric oxide or NO) appears to improve the contractile properties of human muscle. Find…
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Inflammation: Hero or Villain? (Or Both?)
Trainers must be aware of, and address both the hero and villain aspects of post-exercise inflammation, which we refer to as exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).…
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Encouraging Exercise with Chronic Kidney Disease
The association between physical exercise and the overall health of patients with chronic renal failure shows great promise. As a trainer, could you recognize whether…
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Understanding the Achilles Tendon
In Greek mythology, the warrior Achilles was known to have one weak spot: his heel. Because of this, the idiom Achilles’ heel is often used…
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Crawling for Strength and Flexibility
What comes to mind when you think of crawling? Crawling for strength and flexibility might not be your first thought. Babies crawl before they walk.…
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Exercise and the Gastrointestinal System: How Digestion is Affected by Movement
Clients and athletes who experience diarrhea and/or other digestive problems after an intense training session often ask us the reason for this unpleasant intestinal interruption.…
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Understanding Connective Tissue: Tendons and Ligaments
Connective tissue is the most abundant and varied tissue in the body. Most likely, the first variety that comes to mind are your dense tissues,…
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Ankle Instability and its Effects on Balance
Balance refers to an even distribution of weight on any surface. Adequate balance allows one to remain upright and steady. Balance plays an important role…
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Inversions for Fitness Clients
Inversions are a way to see the exercise world from a different angle, quite literally. Instead of being upright standing or sitting, or even supine…
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Beat the Heat! How the Body Handles High Temps
As heatwaves sweep across the US, marking the start of summer, I was kindly reminded by the 110+ degree weather outside (In SEATTLE, WA) that…
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Bring on the Tension: Understanding Leverage vs. Compression Movements
Throughout any given day, our muscles perform both big and little movements which help shape our mobility. Tension always plays a role, but tension can…
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