Q: It is 2017! People are setting fitness/health resolutions and the new fitness/health trends are all the rage. Below is a list of things to focus on when setting goals and some fitness/health trends to ignore. A: When setting goals: Focus on activity goals: Most people set weight goals: “I want to lose 15 lbs.” Instead [...]
Q: There is pressure to have our elementary age children specialize (focus) on a single sport. Is there research on this topic? A: Over the last 25 years, specializing in a single sport at a young age has become more and more common. The reasons for specializing vary but the most common reason cited is [...]
Q: Can you consume too much protein? Is it dangerous? A: According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, on average, Americans consume between one-and-a-half to two times more protein than the daily recommended intake established by the World Health Organization. It is also common for athletes and bodybuilders to believe a higher [...]
Q: During the hot days of summer, is spending too much time in air conditioned buildings bad for your health? A: Numerous institutions and scholars list air conditioning as one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. They are widely used in westernized countries and global use is growing rapidly, but is it bad [...]
Q: How do “blood thinners” reduce blood viscosity? A: Blood Thinners have no impact on the viscosity (thickness) of blood. Instead, blood thinners prevent the blood from clotting or existing clots from getting larger. They do not dissolve existing clots. Blood thinners fall into two categories: anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Anticoagulants, such as heparin, lengthen the time [...]
Q: What causes my lungs to have a burning sensation during exercise? A: At some point in our lives, we all have experienced a burning sensation in our lungs or airway while we were exercising. What causes this feeling? Fitness level/activity intensity - If you are new to exercise, coming off a layoff, or increasing [...]
The June 2016 issue of WedMD magazine published an article by Kara Mayer Robinson in its “Living Healthy” section highlighting the importance of adding weekly strength training to your exercise regimen. Not only does the article touch on important benefits of strength training, such as increased muscle and bone strength, improved posture, reduction to the [...]
June is National Dairy Month! "National Dairy Month is a great way to start the summer with nutrient-rich dairy foods. From calcium to potassium, dairy products like milk contain nine essential nutrients which may help to better manage your weight, reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Whether it's protein to [...]
Q: How does fitness level impact the amount that a person will sweat? A: There are a number of factors that determine how much sweat a person will produce. Some of these factors include: gender, body composition, number of sweat glands, skin surface area, environmental conditions, and genetics. Another factor is fitness level. People that [...]
Q: Why is spring considered the worst time of the year for facial, mouth, and head injuries? A: Spring is the worst time of year for these injuries. As a matter of fact, April is National Facial Protection Month. April was named National Facial Protection month and is sponsored by several Sport and Dental associations [...]