Q: What causes blisters and how are they different from blood blisters? A: Blisters result from irritation or damage to the skin from an external source. The most common reasons for blisters are: Friction: brief and intense rubbing confined to a small area of skin. Burns: contact with hot surfaces, exposure to flames, steam, or [...]
Q: What is actually happening when I hear my bones crack during a strength training workout? A: The cracking you are hearing during the workout is originating from your joints and not your bones. Joints crack for three main reasons: Synovial Fluid: Joints crack due to gases escaping from the synovial fluid. Synovial fluid exists [...]
Q: Is it possible to lose muscle mass with an exercise/weight loss program? A: It is possible to lose muscle mass with an exercise/weight loss program. The key to losing weight is to burn more calories than you are consuming (creating a caloric deficit). The traditional “diet” is the method most often used to create [...]
Q: Why does an apple a day keep the doctor away? A: The origin of the phrase is attributed to a Welsh folk proverb from 1866. The Welsh proverb is “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread”. By the turn of the 19th century, the Welsh [...]
Q: Explain the difference between a pull, a strain, and a sprain? A: Pulls, strains and sprains are associated with trauma to tissue. Below are the definitions of strains and sprains: Strain - A stretch, tear or rip in the muscle or adjacent tissue such as the tendon. A tendon is a band of tissue [...]
Q: Is it ok for me to workout after a night of little or no sleep? A: One or two nights of poor sleep should not prevent you from working out. It also should not have a negative impact on your performance. Consistently getting inadequate sleep (sleep deprivation) will have a negative impact on your [...]
Q: Where does the muscle pain go after you stop exercising? A: To answer the question, it is first important to understand the origins of the muscle pain or discomfort. Muscles are contained within a fibrous tissue compartment called fascia. As you exercise, your body reacts by directing oxygen rich blood to the muscle that [...]
Q: When is it best to eat, before or after you exercise? And when is the best time between exercise sessions? A: It is best to eat before and after an exercising session. The following guidelines are typically referenced when eating before and after a workout: Before you exercise – Energy needed to fuel you [...]
Q: Is it true that laughing can add up to eight years to your life? And how much would it take? A: Several sources have indicated the act of laughing as a way to extend one’s life by eight years, but there is no research available that quantifies the numbers of years that can be [...]
Q: How does exercise reduce my cholesterol? A: Typically, several lifestyle changes are recommended to help reduce and manage cholesterol levels. These lifestyle changes include: Weight Loss Eating heart-healthy foods Smoking Cessation Moderation of Alcohol Intake Exercise such as walking, swimming, and running are prescribed to help lose weight. Exercise helps create a caloric deficit [...]