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Exercise

Back and Spine Health Exercise: Exercise is one of the most significant ways to increase longevity, improve health, and decrease pain and suffering. A proper exercise program can improve flexibility, mobility, increase strength, and reduce back pain. Knowledge of the best exercises to improve health or decrease pain is essential to a workout plan or pain management program. Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for overall health. The many benefits include improved health and fitness and reduced risk of chronic diseases.

There are many different types of exercise; it is important to pick the right types. Most benefits from a combination of exercises: Endurance or aerobic activities increase your breathing and heart rate. They keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy and improve your overall fitness. Examples include brisk walking, jogging, swimming, and biking.

Strength or resistance training, exercises make your muscles stronger. Some examples are lifting weights and using a resistance band. Balance exercises can make it easier to walk on uneven surfaces and help prevent falls. To improve your balance, try tai chi or exercises like standing on one leg. Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber. Yoga and doing various stretches can make you more flexible.


Overcoming Exercise Fears: Conquer Anxiety and Start Moving

Overcoming Exercise Fears: Conquer Anxiety and Start Moving

“For individuals who want to exercise but have fears or concerns, can understanding what they are scared of help ease their minds?”

Overcoming Exercise Fears: Conquer Anxiety and Start Moving

Overcoming Exercise Fears

One reason for the ongoing weight problem is that individuals don’t move around enough, and one reason individuals don’t exercise is fear (Craig M. Hales et al., 2020). For individuals, physical exertion and moving the body to the point of increased heart rate, heavy breathing, and excessive sweating can cause anxiety and be scary when they haven’t done it in a while or have never worked out. Some anxieties and fears individuals may experience include the following:

Looking Foolish

Anything can happen when exercising. When individuals can’t figure out how a machine works or aren’t sure if they’re doing an exercise correctly, falling off a machine or dropping a weight can cause a feeling of foolishness. Knowing how to use machines and weights takes practice. Ask a gym employee or personal trainer for guidance, as educating individuals on doing exercises correctly and safely is their job. And most individuals working out are happy to help as well.

Experiencing Pain

Some avoid exercise, fearing intense pain. Exercise is not supposed to be painful, but it will cause soreness because individuals use muscles that they haven’t used for a while or at all. For instance, the muscles will experience a slight burning sensation when lifting weights. The body reacts to the workout and adapts to exercise. As the body gets stronger, individuals recognize their body’s response and are able to challenge themselves with heavier weights, longer runs, walks, and workouts. When beginning an exercise program, start slow. Some trainers recommend doing slightly less than an individual thinks they can for the first weeks. This helps to build a habit without the risk of burnout.

Injuries

When starting an exercise program, individuals can feel changes all over their bodies, like everything is pulling and tearing apart. Individuals who haven’t exercised much may be unable to distinguish between the normal discomfort from exercising for the first time and pain from an injury. Shin splints, side stitches, or other common side effects may develop from beginning an exercise program. Individuals may need to stop exercising, treat the injury, and start again.

  • If there are sharp pains in the joints, tearing in the muscles or ligaments, or anything else that doesn’t feel normal, stop and seek medical attention.

Exercise Mindfulness

  • The body will feel something while exercising, but separating real injury pain from normal sensations is important.
  • Be aware of how the body feels throughout the workout.
  • Follow instructions and pay attention to proper form to minimize the risk of injury.

Proper Footwear

  • Wearing the right workout shoes is a good idea to avoid and prevent injuries.
  • Invest in a quality pair of shoes to give the body the support it needs.

Proper Form

  • If lifting weights, one way to sustain an injury is using incorrect form or posture.
  • If you are unsure how to do the exercises, consult a trainer or gym employee to explain how the machine works.

Warm Up

  • Jumping into a workout without warming up can lead to injuries that can lead to chronic pain conditions.
  • A warm-up specific to the workout is recommended.
  • If walking, start with a moderate walk.
  • If running, start with a brisk walk.
  • If lifting weights, do a little cardiovascular exercise first or a warm-up set with lighter weights.

Workout Within Fitness Levels

  • Injuries happen when trying to do too much too soon.
  • Start with a light program.
  • Work up to more intense and frequent workouts.
  • For example, if only able to walk for 10 minutes, start there and increase gradually.

Failure

When it comes to exercise, failure can be experienced in different ways, like losing weight, failing to make it through a workout, being unable to stick to an exercise program, etc. This is part of the process, but individuals can overcome exercise fears through perseverance.

  • Setting the bar too high can become an excuse to quit.
  • A simple way to deal with this is to set a reachable goal.
  • Long-term goals can be set to work toward.
  • Do what you can handle now.

Individuals take risks whenever they do something out of their comfort zone. However, taking risks may be necessary to overcome exercise fears, keep going, and achieve success.


Weight Loss Techniques


References

Hales CM, C. M., Fryar CD, Ogden CL. (2020). Prevalence of obesity and severe obesity among adults: United States, 2017–2018. NCHS Data Brief, no 360. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm#Suggested_citation

The Benefits of Moderate Exercise for Body and Mind

The Benefits of Moderate Exercise for Body and Mind

“Can understanding moderate exercise and how to measure the amount of exercise help expedite individuals’ health goals and well-being?”

The Benefits of Moderate Exercise for Body and Mind

Moderate Exercise

Various physical activity guidelines recommend regular, moderate exercise for achieving and maintaining health and wellness. Getting the minimum, moderate weekly physical activity can help prevent disease, increase mental well-being, support weight loss and maintenance, and improve quality of life.

What Is It?

  • Anything that gets the heart pumping and beating faster is considered moderate exercise. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018)
  • Moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise includes – brisk walking, yard work, mopping, vacuuming, and playing various sports that require consistent movement.
  • When engaged in moderate exercise, individuals should breathe harder but still be able to carry a conversation. (American Heart Association, 2024)
  • The talk test is a way to monitor whether the exercise is at moderate intensity.

Benefits

Regular moderate exercise can help (American Heart Association, 2024)

  • Decrease the risk of developing conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia.
  • Improve sleep and help with sleep disorders.
  • Improve brain functions like memory, focus, and processing.
  • With weight loss and/or maintenance.
  • Improve bone health.
  • Reduce depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms.

How Much Exercise?

The prescription for moderate exercise includes:

  • 30 minutes a day for five days a week, or two hours and 30 minutes per week. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018)
  • Physical activity needs to continue for at least 10 minutes to be considered an exercise session.
  • Individuals can break up their 30 daily minutes into two to three shorter sessions, each 10 minutes long.
  • As the ability to exercise increases, aim to increase moderate activities.
  • Individuals will reap even more health benefits if they increase moderate aerobic exercise time to 300 minutes or five hours weekly. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018)

Measuring Exercise

  • A moderate level of activity noticeably increases heart and breathing rate.
  • Individuals sweat but can still carry on a conversation.
  • Individuals can talk but can’t sing.
  • Individuals will feel the exercise but are not huffing and puffing.
  • Individuals can use different scales to measure exercise intensity.

Heart Rate

  • A moderate-intensity heart rate is 50% to 70% of an individual’s maximum heart rate. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022)
  • An individual’s maximum heart rate varies by age.
  • A heart rate chart or calculator can determine an individual’s maximum heart rate.
  • To measure heart rate mid-exercise, individuals can take their pulse or use a heart rate monitor, app, fitness tracker, or smartwatch to ensure they stay at a moderate intensity.

MET

  • M.E.T. stands for Metabolic Equivalent for Task and refers to the amount of oxygen the body uses during physical activity.
  • Assigning METs to an activity allows individuals to compare the amount of exertion an activity takes.
  • This works for individuals with different weights.
  • During moderate physical activity, breathing and heart rate increase, and the body burns around 3.5 to 7 calories a minute.
  • The actual number burned depends on your weight and fitness level.
  • The body uses 1 MET for basic functions like breathing.
  • Grades of activity:
  • 1 MET – Body at rest
  • 2 METs – Light activity
  • 3-6 METs – Moderate activity
  • 7 or more METs – Vigorous activity

Perceived Exertion Scale

Individuals can also check their activity level using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale/RPE. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022) Using this scale involves monitoring how an individual feels about how hard their body is working during physical activity. The scale starts at 6 and ends at 20. A perceived exertion between 11 and 14 is considered moderate physical activity.

  • 6 – No exertion – sitting still or sleeping
  • 7-8 – Extremely light exertion
  • 9-10 – Very light exertion
  • 11-12 – Light exertion
  • 13-14 – Somewhat hard exertion
  • 15-16 – Heavy exertion
  • 17-18 – Very heavy exertion
  • 20 – Maximum exertion

Examples

Many activities are counted as moderate-intensity exercise. Choose some appealing and learn to add them to a weekly routine.

  • Ballroom dancing
  • Line dancing
  • Gardening
  • House chores that get the heart pumping.
  • Softball
  • Baseball
  • Volleyball
  • Doubles tennis
  • Brisk walking
  • Light jogging
  • Walking or jogging on a treadmill
  • Using an elliptical trainer
  • Bicycling under 10 miles an hour on ground level
  • Leisurely swim
  • Water aerobics

Mobility Challenges

  • Individuals with mobility issues can achieve moderate intensity using a manual wheelchair or a handcycle and swimming or water aerobics.
  • Individuals who can use their legs but can’t tolerate walking or jogging can try bicycling or swimming.

Getting More Exercise

There are different ways to incorporate and increase moderate physical activities. These include:

10-minute Activity Bursts

  • Walk briskly for at least 10 minutes at a time.
  • Walk at an easy pace for a couple of minutes.
  • Pick up the pace for 10 minutes.
  • Try to walk during work breaks or lunch and/or before or after work.

Walking Workouts

  • Individuals can walk indoors, outdoors, or on a treadmill.
  • Proper posture and walking techniques make it easier to achieve a brisk pace.
  • Once comfortable walking briskly for 10 minutes, begin to extend walking time.
  • Try different walking workouts that offer fast walks, jogging intervals, and/or adding hills or treadmill inclines.

New Activities

  • Individuals are recommended to experiment with various exercises to find what works for them.
  • Consider roller skating, blading, or skateboarding to increase heart rate.

Moderate physical activity will get and keep the body in shape. Individuals should not become distressed if they can only do a little at first. Allow time to build endurance and gradually make time each day for enjoyable physical activities.


Transform Your Body


References

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2018). Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Retrieved from health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf

American Heart Association. (2024). American Heart Association recommendations for physical activity in adults and kids. (Healthy Living, Issue. www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Target heart rate and estimated maximum heart rate. Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/measuring/heartrate.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Perceived exertion (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale). Retrieved from www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/measuring/exertion.htm

Create a Winning Fitness Mindset with These Strategies

Create a Winning Fitness Mindset with These Strategies

For individuals that are feeling unmotivated to work out and exercise can developing a fitness mindset help improve and maintain motivation?

Create a Winning Fitness Mindset with These Strategies

Fitness Mindset Motivation

Learning to exercise as part of a regular workout routine can have a significant impact on health and well-being. In the beginning, individuals are all in, but as time goes on, mental blocks can interfere with workout motivation. Being flexible with oneself and fitness/health goals is part of the process, and overcoming mental blocks is key to maintaining motivation. It’s all about creating a fitness mindset to maintain confidence and motivation and enjoy the benefits of regular exercise.

Feeling Tired

When feeling tired, individuals should ask themselves if it’s physical or mental fatigue. If the exhaustion is not from lack of sleep, illness, or a physically demanding job, it is more than likely mental tiredness. Mental exhaustion can often feel physical, and a recommended cure is physical activity. Often, once an individual starts working out and gets over the mental fatigue, they feel better. (Juriena D. de Vries et al., 2016) Regular physical activity can increase energy levels and leave the body feeling less fatigued. (Bryan D. Loy et al., 2013) However, individuals need to make sure there is ample recovery time to repair and restore the body after working out.

Self-Talk

Sometimes there is a small voice that says to take a day off or perform an easier workout. It’s okay to be flexible, but most times, individuals need to be ready to stand up to the skip-the-workout voices and stay motivated.

Remove Obstacles

  • Remove obstacles that can distract from exercising.
  • Have the workout gear ready and exercise time pre-scheduled so there are no second thoughts.
  • If limited space is an issue, find compact equipment like a cordless jump rope that doesn’t require a lot of room.

Don’t Allow Relaxation Takeover

  • Individuals who plan to exercise after school or work shouldn’t go home, sit down, and relax watching TV before working out.
  • Individuals who may need a transition to work out should try something gentle but active, like stretching or doing a light chore.
  • Individuals who exercise in the morning should wear their workout clothes immediately, so they can’t second guess and can continue their workout.
  • Remind yourself of the reasons for committing to exercise.

Research shows that using second-person self-talk can help maintain motivation. Encouraging oneself with phrases like you can do this, you got this, or you are going to achieve your fitness goals improves the chances of obtaining the desired outcome. (Sanda Dolcos, Dolores Albarracin. 2014)

Fight Through The Doubt

Start with small steps. Ask if doubt is stopping you from starting. If doubt begins to arise:

Ask For Help

  • A colleague, friend, or partner can help reinspire motivation.
  • Tell them about the challenges of sticking with exercise.
  • Ask them to work out together.

Do What Is Possible

  • If working out for 30 minutes is too difficult, don’t worry about it.
  • Go for as long as possible and try for more the next time.
  • Keep it simple and make it count. (Margie E. Lachman et al., 2018)

Redefine Exercise

  • Working out can feel like a job, but it does not have to.
  • For example, individuals sitting or standing all day can approach the workout as 30 minutes to get out and move around.
  • Or, after getting the kids settled in, it is time to do something for yourself and exercise the stress away.

Healthy Reminders

  • Write inspirational fitness mindset notes and put them where they will be seen regularly.
  • These can be exercise goals; for example, I will exercise for 30 minutes because I want more energy, better sleep, strength, etc.

Train The Brain For Exercise

When the issue is motivation, the mind needs to be convinced to exercise. How to use mind-over-matter skills:

Rewards

  • When finishing a workout, rewards can help.
  • Exercise has its own rewards – more energy, improved mood, stress relief, and reduced disease risk.
  • Maybe a new pair of shoes, earbuds or headphones, workout equipment, or a massage will increase motivation.

Make A Deal

  • Continue to exercise for whatever amount of time, and if the desire to stop is still present, then stop.
  • Nine times out of 10, individuals will keep going.

Pretend

  • Make-believe can encourage the fitness mindset.
  • Pretending to be in a race, or in a movie, anything that makes the body want to move.

Set Achievable Goals

  • Making difficult goals can generate the fear of being unable to achieve them.
  • Aim for small achievable goals that go along with a bigger overall goal.
  • That way, there are more victories, and the motivation to keep moving is maintained.

Competition

  • Healthy competition can be a great motivator.
  • Competing with oneself for faster times, heavier weights, or more frequency can keep the inspiration going.
  • Social media and apps to compete with family and friends can also help.

Visualization

  • Athletes use visualization techniques of going through the game, match, and tournament to get themselves prepared and ready to execute what they’ve been practicing.
  • Individuals can do the same thing by picturing themselves going through their workout from beginning to end.
  • Visualize the workout and the success of finishing, and make it happen. (Fritz Renner et al., 2019)

Work Things Out

  • Exercise provides meditation time to think about problems and challenges.
  • Use the workout time to work through the problems and refocus strategies to solve them.

Process Goals

  • Choosing specific goals that are part of the workout process, like working out 3-4 times per week, is recommended compared to using outcome goals, like losing ten pounds.
  • Outcome goals can be out of the individual’s control; instead, focus on the steps to achieve the goals, which lessens stress and is a more controllable method of working out. (Kylie Wilson Darren Brookfield. 2011)

Changing lifestyle to include exercise is not easy. The most important step is having the right attitude. (Margie E. Lachman et al., 2018) Thinking about exercise as an obligation will discourage motivation. Instead, create a fitness mindset to treat exercise like a break from all the stress and a reward for the mind and body to a healthier life.


Home Exercises for Pain Relief


References

de Vries, J. D., van Hooff, M. L., Geurts, S. A., & Kompier, M. A. (2016). Exercise as an Intervention to Reduce Study-Related Fatigue among University Students: A Two-Arm Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial. PloS one, 11(3), e0152137. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152137

Bryan D. Loy, Patrick J. O’Connor & Rodney K. Dishman (2013) The effect of a single bout of exercise on energy and fatigue states: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior, 1:4, 223-242, DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2013.843266

Dolcos S, Albarracin D. (2014). The inner speech of behavioral regulation: Intentions and task performance strengthen when you talk to yourself as a You. Eur J Social Psychol. 44(6):636-642. doi:10.1002/ejsp.2048.

Lachman, M. E., Lipsitz, L., Lubben, J., Castaneda-Sceppa, C., & Jette, A. M. (2018). When Adults Don’t Exercise: Behavioral Strategies to Increase Physical Activity in Sedentary Middle-Aged and Older Adults. Innovation in aging, 2(1), igy007. doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igy007

Renner, F., Murphy, F. C., Ji, J. L., Manly, T., & Holmes, E. A. (2019). Mental imagery as a “motivational amplifier” to promote activities. Behaviour research and therapy, 114, 51–59. doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2019.02.002

Kylie Wilson & Darren Brookfield (2009). Effect of Goal Setting on Motivation and Adherence in a Six‐Week Exercise Program, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7:1, 89-100, DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2009.9671894

Unhealthy Posture – Is Your Rib Cage Compressing Your Pelvis?

Unhealthy Posture – Is Your Rib Cage Compressing Your Pelvis?

For older individuals experiencing posture problems, slumping, slouching, and upper back pain, could adding rib cage exercises help bring relief and prevent the condition from worsening?

Unhealthy Posture - Is Your Rib Cage Compressing Your Pelvis?

Improved Posture

It’s common to associate a collapsed upper back posture with age, but other factors can also contribute to the problems. (Justyna Drzał-Grabiec, et al., 2013) The rib cage and the pelvis are important to body structure and comprise much of the core. If these bone structures become misaligned due to unhealthy posture, the muscles that attach to them become tight, weak, or both, and the surrounding muscles have to compensate, causing a worsening of the condition and further injury.

  • Unhealthy postures can be caused by a rib cage that compresses down onto the pelvic bone.
  • As the upper back slumps or compresses, height can begin to decrease.
  • Posture awareness exercises can help lift the rib cage off the pelvic bone.

Rib Cage Exercises

This exercise can be done sitting or standing. A daily routine can help improve posture and relieve back problems and pain.

  • The sitting version helps keep the focus on doing the exercise right.
  • The standing version challenges body awareness, allowing the individual to feel how the rib cage and upper back movements affect pelvic and lower back posture.
  • To begin, it is recommended to start in a sitting position.
  • Once the basics are learned, then certainly progress to standing.

Exercise

  1. Position the pelvis so it is in a slight forward tilt.
  2. This forward tilt will exaggerate the low back curve slightly while tightening the lower back muscles in a good way.
  3. Establishing and maintaining this curve in the sitting position should feel natural.
  4. Inhale and exaggerate the upward lift of the rib cage.
  5. Inhaling causes the spine and ribs to extend slightly.
  6. Exhale and allow the rib cage and upper back to return to their natural position.
  7. Repeat up to 10 times once or twice a day.
  • For this exercise, use breathing to develop the rib cage’s lift and carriage incrementally.
  • Don’t max out on the spinal extension.
  • Instead, focus on how breathing/inhaling supports the movement of the ribs and upper back and develops the muscles from there.
  • Try to lift the rib cage equally on both sides as the body allows.

With practice, individuals will realize the healthy posture changes and increased distance between the ribs and pelvis.

Guidance and Variation

  • Perform the exercise with the back against a wall for upper back guidance.
  • Another variation of the pelvis and rib cage posture training exercise is to raise the arms.
  • This will create a different posture awareness training perspective.
  • Focus on rib cage movement when the arms are raised.
  • Does lifting the arms make the exercise easier, harder, or different?
  • To enhance posture improvement, stretch the pectoral muscles.

Yoga

Individuals looking for more ways to strengthen healthy posture should consider yoga.

A study published in the International Journal of Yoga suggests that a great way to activate the core may be to include a variety of yoga postures into the routine. (Mrithunjay Rathore et al., 2017) The ab muscles attach to various places on the rib cage and play a role in posture, alignment, and balance. The researchers identified two muscles, the external obliques, and the transverse abdominal, as key to a healthily aligned posture.


Core Strength


References

Drzał-Grabiec, J., Snela, S., Rykała, J., Podgórska, J., & Banaś, A. (2013). Changes in the body posture of women occurring with age. BMC geriatrics, 13, 108. doi.org/10.1186/1471-2318-13-108

Rathore, M., Trivedi, S., Abraham, J., & Sinha, M. B. (2017). Anatomical Correlation of Core Muscle Activation in Different Yogic Postures. International journal of yoga, 10(2), 59–66. doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.205515

Papegaaij, S., Taube, W., Baudry, S., Otten, E., & Hortobágyi, T. (2014). Aging causes a reorganization of cortical and spinal control of posture. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 6, 28. doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00028

Unwind & Recharge: Exercise Burnout Symptoms & Recovery

Unwind & Recharge: Exercise Burnout Symptoms & Recovery

Individuals who engage in a regular fitness regimen can begin to lose interest and motivation. Can knowing the signs of exercise burnout help individuals rediscover their motivation?

Unwind & Recharge: Exercise Burnout Symptoms & Recovery

Exercise Burnout

When maintaining fitness and health becomes a chore and doing anything else is better than working out, individuals could be experiencing exercise burnout. Here are a few signs an individual is getting burned out.

Procrastination

One sign is constantly putting things off.

  • An individual may put on workout clothes, set up the equipment, etc.
  • However, the workout never happens as the individual continues to find other things to do.
  • At some point, they decide it’s too late and they’ll work out tomorrow.

Solution

Simplify the workout. Make some small goals or adjustments and keep the workout light. (Nemanja Lakicevic, et al., 2020) An example could be:

  • Focus only on stretching.
  • Take a walk around the block.
  • Go up and down some stairs equivalent to a few laps.
  • Do 10 pushups, 10 squats, and 10 lunges, or other exercises and that’s it.

No Longer Interesting

When burned out, exercise is not interesting and disenchanting. (Franklin Velasco, Rafael Jorda. 2020) Trainers will suggest finding something positive about the workouts.

Solution

Switch to a new or different activity. (Nemanja Lakicevic, et al., 2020)

  • When the interest and passion are nowhere to be found don’t engage in the usual workouts, as this can further decrease motivation.
  • This is the time to change up the routine and go for a leisurely bicycle or rollerblade, skateboard, etc., session.
  • Go to a park, just walk around, and forget about exercise just taking in everything.
  • Play a game with a friend or toss a ball around.

Exhaustion

Not just physical, but mental fatigue could be a sign of exercise burnout.

Solution

  • Rest.
  • Individuals may think they have to work out every day and stick to the regimen or else they’ve failed.
  • This type of mindset can lead to burnout and added stress.
  • The body and mind require adequate recovery time.
  • Forget about structured exercise for a day, and see how the mind and body feel the next day.
  • Two or three days off in a row can make a significant difference in motivation and offer a new perspective on the workout routine.

Low Energy Levels After Exercise

Workouts, although tiring in a good way, should energize the individual. Most workouts should leave the body feeling better than before. When the body feels worse or energy levels are low, this could be a sign of overtraining that could lead to exercise burnout.

Solution

  • This could be the time to ease off of the fitness regimen.
  • Forget intense workouts and/or heavy-weight training.
  • This is the time to soothe the body.
  • Light yoga workouts or Pilates could help.
  • This is a form of active recovery, allowing the mind and body to rest from the overwork.

Mood Changes and/or Irritability

When the mind and body are overworked and over-trained, it can cause moodiness, irritability, and frustration that leads to burnout.

Solution

Do something that feels good. This could include:

  • A therapeutic massage.
  • A spa session.
  • Taking a long nap.
  • Soaking the feet.
  • Taking a therapeutic bath.
  • Meditation

Burnout can happen, the objective is to keep the solutions simple like taking a few days off or trying something new to come back feeling refreshed and energized.


Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment


References

Lakicevic, N., Gentile, A., Mehrabi, S., Cassar, S., Parker, K., Roklicer, R., Bianco, A., & Drid, P. (2020). Make Fitness Fun: Could Novelty Be the Key Determinant for Physical Activity Adherence?. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 577522. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577522

Velasco, F., & Jorda, R. (2020). Portrait of Boredom Among Athletes and Its Implications in Sports Management: A Multi-Method Approach. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 831. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00831

Power Strength Training: El Paso Back Clinic

Power Strength Training: El Paso Back Clinic

Power is the combination of strength and speed over time. Strength is how much force an individual can exert. Power is how fast an individual can exert force. Strength training for power, aka power training, is being able to exert a certain amount of force in a given time. Power can be built with weight training. However, power strength training is not just for weightlifters. Many athletes like football, basketball, and volleyball players, sprinters, dancers, and wrestlers build strength to increase power, improve explosiveness, increase their vertical leap/jump, and give their bodies a break from heavy weight training.

Power Strength Training: EP's Chiropractic Fitness Team

Power Strength Training

Building strength is one factor, but becoming powerful requires another element in training. Biologically, individuals train the muscles to elongate and contract fast so the body can perform a certain set of movements.

Benefits

The benefits of power strength training.

Promotes Active Body Rest

  • Power training gives the mind and body a break from heavy training.
  • Provides the tendons, joints, and central nervous system a rest.
  • Offers a fun and healthy change with jumping, throwing, swinging, etc.

Reduces Risk of Knee Injury

Training helps improve:

  • Hip strength.
  • Landing biomechanics.
  • Helps reduce the risk of a knee injury.
  • Helps strengthen the muscles above the knee.
  • A study found individuals with knee osteoarthritis that participated in high-intensity strength training, compared with low-intensity, had a reduction in knee pain symptoms.

Improves Vertical Jump

  • Vertical jump or leap is how high an individual can jump and is a common parameter for assessing athletic ability.
  • It is an integral part of movement training programs to improve sports performance.
  • Research has shown that power strength and jump training can improve jump height.

Training Program

Before starting any exercise program, it is recommended to talk with a doctor. Key components to focus on when training for power.

Frequency

  • Starting with a schedule of 3-4 times a week is recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine.
  • Going above this frequency can be intense on the body and central nervous system.
  • Limiting sessions to a few times a week gives the body time to recover.

Equipment

  • Because power training involves a combination of increasing force and speed, using the right equipment that allows both is important. However, there are ways to improve without equipment.
  • For practicing jumps, increase the force by increasing the distance using a taller box.
  • For practicing push-ups on the floor, increase the force by pushing with more power so the hands come off the ground.
  • To improve power by increasing speed, exercises can be performed faster or with decreased rest between sets.

Weight

  • The weight depends on an individual’s one-rep max or the heaviest weight that can be lifted in a single repetition.
  • This is essentially an individual’s record for whatever type of weightlifting is being done.
  • Power training movement options: Plyometrics, Ballistic, or Dynamic.
  • Plyometrics includes activities like squats or jump lunges, common with football and basketball players.
  • Ballistic training includes activities like a back squat for football or soccer players.
  • Dynamic training works for sports-specific training motions like golf swinging or tennis serving.

Nutrition

Whether cardio or strength training, adequate caloric intake is important regardless of workout type, this means having a healthy balance of the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

  • Carbohydrates could be the most important, as research has shown that high-intensity exercise like power training improves when eating carbohydrates before, during, and after the workout.
  • Fat is necessary, and a daily intake below 20% of calorie intake can decrease the absorption of various essential nutrients.
  • It is recommended to consume 1.2-1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of individual body weight.

As with any exercise, training takes time, and it’s important to gradually progress only when the body is prepared. Incorporating the elements of a healthy lifestyle includes a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and proper sleep and rest days. This will help get the most benefits and prevent injuries.


Improving Athletic Performance Through Chiropractic


References

Balachandran, Anoop T et al. “Comparison of Power Training vs. Traditional Strength Training on Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” JAMA Network Open vol. 5,5 e2211623. 2 May. 2022, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.11623

Maestroni, Luca, et al. “Strength and Power Training in Rehabilitation: Underpinning Principles and Practical Strategies to Return Athletes to High Performance.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 50,2 (2020): 239-252. doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01195-6

Marián, Vanderka, et al. “Improved Maximum Strength, Vertical Jump and Sprint Performance after 8 Weeks of Jump Squat Training with Individualized Loads.” Journal of sports science & Medicine vol. 15,3 492-500. 5 Aug. 2016

Peebles, Alexander T et al. “Landing biomechanics deficits in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients can be assessed in a non-laboratory setting.” Journal of orthopedic research: official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society vol. 40,1 (2022): 150-158. doi:10.1002/jor.25039

Suchomel, Timothy J et al. “The Importance of Muscular Strength: Training Considerations.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 48,4 (2018): 765-785. doi:10.1007/s40279-018-0862-z

Wesley, Caroline A et al. “Lower Extremity Landing Biomechanics in Both Sexes After a Functional Exercise Protocol.” Journal of athletic training vol. 50,9 (2015): 914-20. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-50.8.03

Westcott, Wayne L. “Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health.” Current sports medicine reports vol. 11,4 (2012): 209-16. doi:10.1249/JSR.0b013e31825dabb8

Chair & Abdominal Exercises In MET Therapy

Chair & Abdominal Exercises In MET Therapy

Introduction

Everyone, at some point, has some form of physical activity that helps them release the stresses of everyday factors. Whether for athletic training or to keep a healthy lifestyle, exercising for at least 30 minutes to an hour can help promote muscle growth and toning, reducing stress and high blood pressure. However, many individuals would often not be able to find time to exercise, which can lead to many problems in their bodies. When many individuals are physically inactive, it can lead to musculoskeletal pain, weak muscles, and other chronic conditions. To that point, it can make the person miserable and cause disability. Luckily numerous therapies can help reduce the effects of pain-like symptoms associated with physical inactivity and can help restore the body. Today’s article focuses on how MET (muscle energy techniques) therapy uses a chair and abdominal exercises to help promote spinal flexibility, reduce abdominal weakness, and strengthen low back and pelvic muscles. We utilize and incorporate valuable information about our patients to certified medical providers using the chair and abdominal exercises in MET therapy. We encourage and refer patients to associated medical providers based on their findings while supporting that education is a remarkable and fantastic way to ask our providers the essential questions at the patient’s acknowledgment. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., comprises this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

Chair Exercises In MET Therapy

 

Are you experiencing muscle pain in specific areas of your body? Do your legs feel tired after a long day at work or when you bend down to pick something up? These musculoskeletal pain symptoms are often caused by physical inactivity, which can cause muscles to become weak and short. This can lead to various health issues related to musculoskeletal pain if not addressed. However, you can help reduce these effects by incorporating everyday objects like a chair into your exercise routine. Research studies have revealed that chair-based exercises can provide cognitive and psychological benefits while reducing the risk of injury. Additionally, using a chair for exercise can improve spinal flexibility.

 

Chair-Based Exercises For Spinal Flexibility

When doing chair-based exercises to enhance spinal flexibility in MET therapy, it’s crucial to ensure that each repetition is pain-free and comfortable. Stick to the recommended sets given by your trainer or physical therapist.

  • Sit in a chair so the feet are planted on the floor, and the palms are resting at the knees. 
  • Lean forward so the chair’s arms support the upper body weight; this allows the elbows to bend outward and the head to hang backward.
  • Hold the position for three deep breaths to allow the lower back to stretch.
  • On exhalation, ease yourself forward until you feel a slight increase in the stretch, not feeling pain, and repeat the three deep breath cycles.
  • Repeat the sequence until you can not go further than you can without discomfort or pain.
  • Return to the chair and rest for a few minutes to allow the lower back muscles to relax.

 


Unlocking Athletic Potential with Chiropractic Care-Video

Are you experiencing musculoskeletal problems that are affecting your athletic performance? Do you feel muscle weakness in your abdominals, low back, or pelvis? Or is the right exercise not working out for you? These issues are often associated with physical inactivity and can cause pain. Physical inactivity can be caused by various factors, which can impact your daily life and prevent you from exercising. Fortunately, there are many ways to incorporate physical activity into your healthy lifestyle. Chiropractic care and MET therapy are two treatments that can be combined with physical activity to reduce muscle and joint pain. Research studies have revealed that MET, or muscle energy techniques, are a type of soft tissue treatment that pain specialists use to stretch tight muscles and fascia, mobilize joints, reduce pain, and improve circulation in the lymphatic system. This treatment can help relieve pain and naturally restore the body when combined with exercise. Watch the video above to learn more information about how combining treatments and physical activity can help you kickstart your wellness journey to better health.


Abdominal Exercises In MET Therapy

 

Many people may not be physically active due to weak abdominal muscles, which can cause low back pain in the musculoskeletal system. In the book “Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques” by Judith Walker DeLany, L.M.T. and Leon Chaitow, N.D., D.O., suggests that combining exercise with MET therapy can help strengthen weak abdominal muscles and even alleviate low back pain. As research studies reveal, this combination can eliminate factors that weaken the abdominal muscles and activate deep and superficial muscles to improve core stability. Below are some abdominal exercises commonly used in MET therapy.

 

Exercises For Abdominal Weakness

  • Lie on a yoga mat or carpeted floor with a pillow under your head.
  • Bend one knee at the hip and hold it with both hands.
  • Inhale and exhale deeply, and pull the knee to the side of the shoulder as far as you can comfortably.
  • Repeat twice and rest the leg on the floor.
  • Repeat the sequence on the other leg.

This exercise sequence helps stretch the numerous abdominals and low back muscles associated with abdominal weakness. Additionally, this exercise sequence helps restore muscle tone in the abdominals and reduce muscle tightness in the back.

Exercises For Low Back & Pelvic Muscles

  • Lie on your back and keep your legs straight.
  • By keeping the low back flat throughout the exercise, inhale and exhale as you draw your right hip toward the shoulders.
  • Allow the left heel to press on the surface and away from you; try to make the left leg longer while keeping the low back flat.
  • Hold this position briefly before inhaling and relaxing, then switch to the other leg.
  • Repeat the sequence for five times on each side.

This exercise sequence helps stretch and tone the muscles along the pelvis and lower back. This exercise is effective for many individuals with low back pain associated with physical inactivity.

 

Conclusion

To prevent musculoskeletal issues from affecting our bodies, it’s important to exercise for at least 30 minutes to an hour daily. Combining physical activities with MET therapy can help stretch and strengthen weakened muscles while promoting natural healing to prevent future problems. Using a chair or doing abdominal exercises can stabilize core muscles and aid natural recovery. Focusing on our health and wellness can lead to a better lifestyle.

 

References

Calatayud, Joaquín, et al. “Tolerability and Muscle Activity of Core Muscle Exercises in Chronic Low-Back Pain.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 Sept. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6801665/.

Chaitow, Leon, and Judith Walker DeLany. Clinical Applications of Neuromuscular Techniques. Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Furtado, Guilherme Eustáquio, et al. “Combined Chair-Based Exercises Improve Functional Fitness, Mental Well-Being, Salivary Steroid Balance, and Anti-Microbial Activity in Pre-Frail Older Women.” Frontiers in Psychology, 25 Mar. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8026892/.

Thomas, Ewan, et al. “The Efficacy of Muscle Energy Techniques in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Subjects: A Systematic Review.” Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 27 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710873/.

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