All Posts in Category

EXERCISE

Youth Strength Training and Neural Adaptations

Positive outcomes with periodized and supervised strength programs for youth are well documented.  However, the physiological pathway to force production among children is somewhat different than that of adults. I would like to review, in more detail, those mechanisms behind preadolescent strength adaptations. Strength gains are precursors to improved power and athleticism in sport (Kenney,…

Youth and Resistance Training: Myths and Facts

Research shows unequivocal evidence that exercise has benefits on many biomarkers of the human movement system. However, interpretation and dissemination of evidence have, at times, become skewed. I would like to move through a brief history of preadolescent exercise, the misconceptions that followed it, and contemporary support for youth resistance training. The term “youth” uses…

Exercise and Cold Weather Injuries

Cold environments have the potential to hamper performance and safety in both recreational and competitive individuals. I live in a colder environment in Newfoundland, and many of my clients engage in outdoor winter activities. I would like to define cold injuries, review predisposing factors, and cover preventative strategies to attenuate these risks. Cold injuries can…

Exercise, Heat, and Acclimation

In my previous posts, I outlined how hot and humid climates increase the rate of dehydration during exercise. I also provided strategies to maintain proper fluid balance in these conditions. I would now like to explore the concept of heat acclimation and methods to overcome and adapt to hot environments. Heat acclimation can be defined…

Environmental Conditions, Hydration, and Fluid Content

In my previous post, I outlined how hot and humid climates increase the rate of dehydration during exercise, as well as at rest. Although replenishment and maintenance of fluid balance is integral in maintaining homeostasis, content of fluids are of equal importance. During moderate to intense exercise, carbohydrates become a primary contributor to energy production…

Environmental Conditions, Sweating, and Hydration

Post-rehabilitation (PR) clients require diligent and scrupulous program design. This population is often deconditioned, consequently decreasing the margin of error and increasing the risk of re-injury. Thus, training requires a sound pragmatic and theoretical approach. Conscientiousness of my clients’ training environment is also part of risk management. I would like to explore the concepts of…

Communication: Internal Vs. External Attentional Focus

Communication can be broadly defined as the process of using words, signs, or behaviors to express information or to express ideas, feelings, etc., to someone else (Communication, 2014). However, communication can be ineffective if the listener does not comprehend what is being communicated. Thus, communication does not necessitate understanding, though it is the intention. In…

Strengthening the Thoracic Spine and Scapular Regions

In this author’s last several posts, Vladimir Janda’s upper crossed syndrome (UCS) was explored, in addition to its relationship with the chronic musculoskeletal pain cycle (CMPC) (Page, Lardner, & Frank, 2010). Furthermore, stability and mobility restrictions, two central constituents of UCS, were covered as it related to the thoracic and scapular regions. Finally, methods were…

Lumbar Spine Reinforcement

The scope of this author’s post is intended to address lumbar spine instability via corrective exercise and reinforcement interventions. However, it is essential to acknowledge and address the influence of distal regions (upper crossed syndrome and lower crossed syndrome) and their influence on proximal regions such as the lumbar spine, by way of regional interdependence…

Hip Extension Regressions and Progressions

As was described previously in this author’s posts, lower crossed syndrome (LCS) is characterized by inhibited abdominals of the anterior side, in conjunction with the gluteus maximus/minimus/medius on the posterior side of the body. The rectus femoris and psoas major of the anterior side, in conjunction with the thoraco-lumbar extensors of the posterior side, have…