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Athletes

Sports Spine Specialist Chiropractic Team: Athletes strive to achieve their body’s maximum performance by participating in numerous training regimens consisting of strenuous exercises and physical activity and ensuring they meet all of their body’s nutritional requirements. Through proper fitness and nutrition, many individuals can condition themselves to excel in their specific sport. Our training programs are designed for athletes that look to gain a competitive edge in their sport.

We provide sport-specific services to help increase an athlete’s performance through mobility, strength, and endurance. Occasionally, however, the excess workouts can lead many to suffer injuries or develop underlying conditions. Dr. Alex Jimenez’s chronicle of articles for athletes displays in detail the many forms of complications affecting these professionals while focusing on the possible solutions and treatments to follow to achieve overall well-being.


What To Know About High-Intensity Interval Training | El Paso, TX.

What To Know About High-Intensity Interval Training | El Paso, TX.

Chiropractic is more than just spinal adjustments. It is a whole-body therapy that may include health supplements, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes that include exercise. By getting the patient to take specific steps, chiropractors make them a vital participant in their healing.

Exercise is outstanding for not only healing but also for the prevention of injury and certain health conditions. Regular exercise helps to reduce weight, improve flexibility, mobility, and balance, build muscle, and increase stamina. However, most people do not get enough exercise. The main reason they give is that they do not have the time. There is an exercise method, though, that can get incredible results in just 12 minutes a day or less: High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT.

What is HIIT?

High-intensity interval training is an exercise method that involves alternating segments of high-intensity activity and low-intensity activity.

After a 2-minute warm-up, you may try any of these HIIT exercises:

  • Sprint for 1 minute, walk for 2 minutes, repeat several times
  • On a stationary bike, pedal as fast as you can for 30 seconds, then slow it down for about 1 minute and repeat several times.
  • Jump rope, double time for 30 seconds, then jump-walk for 1 minute.

The thing that makes HIIT so appealing to so many patients is its adaptability. Patients can adapt it to any fitness activity that they enjoy doing. It also works much faster than most traditional exercise methods. Where most exercises must be done for an hour or more, HIIT only requires about 15 – 12 minutes, and it provides an excellent cardio workout, so it helps to increase metabolism.

In a few weeks, patients will see noticeable improvements, including weight loss, increased endurance, and more strength. It doesn’t require equipment unless the patient wants to use a bike, kettlebell, jump rope, or other devices to enhance their workout. The patient is also always in complete control. They can decide the workout level and intensity that is right for them.

high intensity interval training el paso tx.

 

Benefits of HIIT

HIIT has several tremendous benefits, including apparent weight loss and fitness-related perks. A 2012 presentation at the European Society of Cardiology revealed another advantage. Exercise activates an enzyme, telomerase, which slows the again process. HIIT stimulates the release of telomerase while reducing p53 expression, a protein that promotes premature aging, at the same time.

In other words, HIIT can help to slow or arrest the aging process. Other youth-oriented benefits of HIIT include:

  • Improved muscle tone
  • More energy
  • Firmer skin
  • Lower body fat
  • Increased libido
  • Fewer wrinkles

HIIT can also help to balance certain hormones in the body that contribute to unhealthy eating habits (such as stress eating) and weight gain. The hormones leptin and ghrelin are responsible for weight. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is often responsible for giving you munchies and causing cravings for salty, sweet, and fried foods. Leptin is the hormone that alerts your body when you’ve had enough to eat. It gives that full signal. When these two hormones are not acting as they should, it can result in obesity and other problems.

Staying fit and healthy is integral to maintaining a healthy body and spine. This is why chiropractors so often recommend HIIT. It helps to get the body healthy and fit so that when problems arise, it can significantly contribute to healing itself. If you need to drop a few pounds or want to be more appropriate, talk to your chiropractor about HIIT and get results fast.

Integrated Chiropractic & Rehab

The Essential Guide to Taking a Workout Break

The Essential Guide to Taking a Workout Break

For athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and individuals getting into regular exercise, can taking a workout break be beneficial if structured properly?

The Essential Guide to Taking a Workout Break

Workout Break

Giving oneself permission to take a break from exercising is necessary, especially to maintain a current fitness level. To stay fit at every level and injury-free, the body needs rest and recovery, especially to progress in performance levels. Regular exercise is important for:

  • Building endurance
  • Improving strength
  • Losing and maintaining weight
  • Relieving stress

What Is It?

A voluntary pause/workout break is a dedicated amount of time when the individual chooses not to work out. It is typically a response to individual body cues when the person knows their mind and body need to take a break from exercising. A workout break is different than a rest day as it may last one or two weeks from the regular training routine. Individuals may need to take a break because the workouts are becoming boring and/or the possibility of burning out or overtraining.

Fitness Impact

  • Studies on recreational soccer players showed that three to six weeks of inactivity did not change aerobic capacity and muscle strength. (Chang Hwa Joo. 2018)
  • Extremely fit individuals will experience a rapid drop in fitness during the first three weeks of inactivity before leveling off. (Chang Hwa Joo. 2018)
  • It takes about two months of inactivity to lose the gains made completely. (Jonny St-Amand et al., 2012)

Medical experts provide terms for individuals who may be doing too much:

  1. Overreaching is when the training becomes excessive, and performance begins to fall. It can be short- or long-term.
  2. Overtraining occurs when overreaching is not addressed.
  3. Overtraining syndrome/OTS lasts longer and results in more serious performance setbacks along with symptoms like hormone changes, depression, fatigue, and systemic inflammation. (Jeffrey B. Kreher. 2016)
  4. Overreaching or overtraining feels like fitness progress is moving backward instead of forward. The more training, the slower and more fatigued the body becomes.
  5. Endurance athletes have an increased risk of overreaching and overtraining. (Jeffrey B. Kreher. 2016)
  6. The endurance mindset encourages pushing more hours of training to get stronger and faster. However, at a certain point, performance suffers.
  7. Some research suggests using the term paradoxical deconditioning syndrome that can lead to overtraining. (Flavio A. Cadegiani, Claudio Elias Kater. 2019)

Break Benefits

Taking a break allows the restoration of balance to focus on work or school, manage various life events, and enjoy friends and family time. Studies have suggested that achieving a better work/life balance can improve:

  • Job performance and satisfaction.
  • Organization
  • Life and family satisfaction.
  • Fitness, life balance, and health vary for everybody. (Andrea Gragnano et al., 2020)
  • Overtraining usually results from training too much and insufficient recovery.
  • Fitness and training experts recommend rest and light training as therapy for overtraining. (Jeffrey B. Kreher. 2016)

Signs The Body Needs A Break

A few signs and common symptoms may indicate a workout break may be needed.

  • Constantly unmotivated or bored
  • Not looking forward to working out
  • Poor performance
  • Physical exhaustion
  • Fatigue
  • Soreness that does not resolve
  • Lack of progress in workouts

Alternate Activities

During the workout break, engage in other active things that work the body differently, like playing table tennis, for example, or activities that are fun but keep the body moving without doing hard workouts. Remember, the body doesn’t have to be completely inactive. Individuals can try out:

  • Leisurely bike riding
  • Dancing
  • Climbing
  • Easy yardwork
  • Yoga or Pilates
  • Stretching

Returning To Working Out

It could feel like starting over, but it won’t take long for the body to remember how to exercise. It just needs to get used to working out again. It can be tempting to jump into an all-out workout routine, but that is not recommended because of the risk of injury. Here are a few basic principles to keep the body strong and healthy while easing back into a regular workout routine.

Start Simple

  • Start with a lighter version of the regular routine using lighter weights and less intensity.

Give The Body Time

  • Use the first two weeks for the body to get used to the workouts.
  • It can take up to three weeks to get back, depending on workouts before and how much relaxation time has passed.

Take Extra Rest Days

  • Returning to exercise means the body is going to be extra sore.
  • Plan extra recovery days so the body can heal and gain strength.
  • Each week, gradually increase the intensity until it is back to regular performance.

Revolutionizing Healthcare


References

Joo C. H. (2018). The effects of short term detraining and retraining on physical fitness in elite soccer players. PloS one, 13(5), e0196212. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196212

St-Amand, J., Yoshioka, M., Nishida, Y., Tobina, T., Shono, N., & Tanaka, H. (2012). Effects of mild-exercise training cessation in human skeletal muscle. European journal of applied physiology, 112(3), 853–869. doi.org/10.1007/s00421-011-2036-7

Kreher J. B. (2016). Diagnosis and prevention of overtraining syndrome: an opinion on education strategies. Open access journal of sports medicine, 7, 115–122. doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S91657

Cadegiani, F. A., & Kater, C. E. (2019). Novel insights of overtraining syndrome discovered from the EROS study. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 5(1), e000542. doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000542

Gragnano, A., Simbula, S., & Miglioretti, M. (2020). Work-Life Balance: Weighing the Importance of Work-Family and Work-Health Balance. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(3), 907. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030907

Boost Muscle Protein Synthesis: Understand The Process

Boost Muscle Protein Synthesis: Understand The Process

For individuals trying to optimize muscle growth, protein intake is essential. However, the body is limited by how much protein can synthesize to repair and grow muscles. Can knowing protein intake timing, amount, and how to best stimulate muscle growth help achieve better results?

Boost Muscle Protein Synthesis: Understand The Process

Muscle Protein Synthesis

Muscle protein synthesis is a physiological process of producing new muscle protein and is an important component of how the body maintains and builds muscle. Muscle growth is achieved with resistance training and protein intake. (Tanner Stokes, et al., 2018)

How Protein Synthesis Works

Protein is the building block of muscles, while protein synthesis is a natural metabolic process in which protein is produced to repair muscle damage caused by exercise. This happens from amino acids binding to skeletal muscle proteins, increasing muscle size. It counteracts muscle protein breakdown (MPB) due to protein loss during exercise. The breakdown of muscles is a necessary part of building muscle. When damaged, muscles will build back larger, so long as enough calories and protein are consumed to repair and grow the muscles. Muscle protein synthesis can be enhanced by increasing protein intake immediately following exercise. Learning to stimulate muscle protein synthesis through exercise and diet can help accelerate muscle growth, expedite recovery, improve physical performance, and increase overall endurance. (Cameron J. Mitchell et al., 2014)

Effects of Exercise

Protein balance describes the relationship between muscle protein breakdown and muscle protein synthesis. When the body is in protein balance, no muscle growth or wasting occurs, and the individual is considered in a healthy state of biological equilibrium/homeostasis, also known as maintenance. To stimulate muscle growth, individuals need to shake up the protein balance. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, exercise can break down muscle protein, but not more than the amount of protein the body can synthesize. (Felipe Damas, et al., 2015) The more intense the workout, the greater the muscle protein synthesis, as the muscle breakdown stimulates the repair and growth of tissues. Scientists measure intensity by the one-repetition maximum – 1-RM – meaning the maximum weight an individual can lift for one repetition. According to a research study, workout intensities of under 40% of the 1-RM will not affect muscle protein synthesis. And intensities greater than 60% will double or triple muscle protein synthesis. (P. J. Atherton, K Smith. 2012)

Food Impact

The relationship between diet and protein balance is not so straightforward. Even with increased protein intake, muscle protein synthesis occurs for a specific period. This is because the body can only utilize a certain amount of the essential amino acids it receives, with anything more being broken down and excreted by the liver. Nutritionists recommend about 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day for building muscle and strength. (Ralf Jäger, et al., 2017) Enough protein can be obtained by focusing on dairy, eggs, lean meats, nuts, and legumes. It is also recommended to consume enough whole grains, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables to help the body perform and repair properly. For example, carbohydrates are necessary for muscle building as they stimulate insulin release that supports muscle cell protein absorption. (Vandré Casagrande Figueiredo, David Cameron-Smith. 2013) A study looked into response rates in men prescribed 10, 20, or 40 grams of whey protein immediately following resistance training. Researchers noted the following results: (Oliver C. Witard et al., 2014)

  • 10 grams of whey protein – No effect on muscle protein synthesis.
  • 20 grams – Increased muscle protein synthesis by 49%.
  • 40 grams – Increased the muscle protein synthesis by 56% but also caused the excessive accumulation of urea.
  • Consuming 20 grams to 40 grams of whey protein after resistance training also increased other essential amino acids associated with lean muscle growth. (Lindsay S. Macnaughton et al., 2016)
  • Whey protein is a fast-digesting protein.
  • Increased results can be obtained by consuming slower-digesting protein throughout the day.

Muscle gains vary from person to person as everyone’s body is different. Individuals considering consuming protein beyond the recommended dietary intake should consult their doctor or a registered nutritionist to understand the potential benefits and risks.


Building A Stronger Body


References

Stokes, T., Hector, A. J., Morton, R. W., McGlory, C., & Phillips, S. M. (2018). Recent Perspectives Regarding the Role of Dietary Protein for the Promotion of Muscle Hypertrophy with Resistance Exercise Training. Nutrients, 10(2), 180. doi.org/10.3390/nu10020180

Mitchell, C. J., Churchward-Venne, T. A., Parise, G., Bellamy, L., Baker, S. K., Smith, K., Atherton, P. J., & Phillips, S. M. (2014). Acute post-exercise myofibrillar protein synthesis is not correlated with resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy in young men. PloS one, 9(2), e89431. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0089431

Damas, F., Phillips, S., Vechin, F. C., & Ugrinowitsch, C. (2015). A review of resistance training-induced changes in skeletal muscle protein synthesis and their contribution to hypertrophy. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 45(6), 801–807. doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0320-0

Atherton, P. J., & Smith, K. (2012). Muscle protein synthesis in response to nutrition and exercise. The Journal of physiology, 590(5), 1049–1057. doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2011.225003

Jäger, R., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., Cribb, P. J., Wells, S. D., Skwiat, T. M., Purpura, M., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Ferrando, A. A., Arent, S. M., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Arciero, P. J., Ormsbee, M. J., Taylor, L. W., Wilborn, C. D., Kalman, D. S., Kreider, R. B., Willoughby, D. S., Hoffman, J. R., … Antonio, J. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 20. doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8

Figueiredo, V. C., & Cameron-Smith, D. (2013). Is carbohydrate needed to further stimulate muscle protein synthesis/hypertrophy following resistance exercise?. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10(1), 42. doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-10-42

Witard, O. C., Jackman, S. R., Breen, L., Smith, K., Selby, A., & Tipton, K. D. (2014). Myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis rates subsequent to a meal in response to increasing doses of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 99(1), 86–95. doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.055517

Macnaughton, L. S., Wardle, S. L., Witard, O. C., McGlory, C., Hamilton, D. L., Jeromson, S., Lawrence, C. E., Wallis, G. A., & Tipton, K. D. (2016). The response of muscle protein synthesis following whole-body resistance exercise is greater following 40 g than 20 g of ingested whey protein. Physiological reports, 4(15), e12893. doi.org/10.14814/phy2.12893

Sleep Better with These Tips for Bed Mobility

Sleep Better with These Tips for Bed Mobility

Individuals in post-surgery recovery or dealing with illness or an injury can experience weakened muscles and endurance that can cause temporary loss of sleeping mobility and not being able to move around normally because of weakness, decreased range of motion, or pain. Can they benefit from physical therapy to help get back to normal functional mobility?

Sleep Better with These Tips for Bed Mobility

Sleeping Mobility

For individuals who are hospitalized or homebound from injury, illness, or surgical recovery, a physical therapist will assess various areas of functional mobility. These include transfers – from sitting to standing positions, walking, and sleeping mobility. Sleeping mobility is the ability to perform specific motions while in bed. A therapist can assess sleeping or bed mobility and recommend strategies and exercises to improve movements. (O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J. 2016) A therapist may have the individual use specific devices, like an over-the-bed trapeze or a sliding board, to help move around.

Bed and Sleeping Mobility

When a physical therapist checks mobility, they will assess various motions that include: (O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J. 2016)

  • Moving from sitting to lying down.
  • Moving from lying down to sitting up.
  • Rolling over.
  • Scooting or sliding up or down.
  • Scooting or sliding sideways.
  • Twisting.
  • Reaching.
  • Raising the hips.

All of these movements require strength in different muscle groups. By checking out individual motions in sleeping mobility, a therapist can work out specific muscle groups that may be weak and require targeted exercises and stretches to restore mobility to normal. (O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J. 2016) Individuals visiting a therapist in an outpatient clinic or rehabilitation area may have the individual work on sleeping mobility on a treatment table. The same motions on the treatment table can be done in the bed.

Importance

The body is meant to move.

For individuals who cannot move comfortably on their bed, the body may suffer disuse atrophy or the wasting away of muscular strength, which can lead to increased difficulties. Not being able to move can also lead to pressure ulcers, especially for individuals who are severely deconditioned and/or remain in one position for a long period. Skin health may start to break down, leading to painful wounds that require specialized care. Being able to move around in bed can help prevent pressure ulcers. (Surajit Bhattacharya, R. K. Mishra. 2015)

Improvement

A physical therapist can prescribe specific exercises to strengthen muscle groups and improve sleeping mobility.  The muscles include:

  • Shoulder and rotator cuff muscles.
  • Triceps and biceps in the arms.
  • Gluteus muscles of the hips.
  • Hamstrings
  • Quadriceps
  • Calf muscles

The shoulders, arms, hips, and legs work together when moving the body around the bed.

Various Exercises

To improve bed movement, physical therapy exercises can include:

  • Upper extremity exercises
  • Lower trunk rotation
  • Glute exercises
  • Bridges
  • Leg raises
  • Short arc quads
  • Ankle pumps

Physical therapists are trained to assess these motions and functions and prescribe treatments to improve body movement. (O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J. 2016) Maintaining appropriate physical fitness can help the body stay active and mobile. Performing mobility exercises prescribed by a physical therapist can keep the right muscle groups working properly, and working with a physical therapist can ensure the exercises are correct for the condition and are performed properly.


Optimizing Your Wellness


References

O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J. (2016). Improving Functional Outcomes in Physical Rehabilitation. United States: F.A. Davis Company.

Bhattacharya, S., & Mishra, R. K. (2015). Pressure ulcers: Current understanding and newer modalities of treatment. Indian journal of plastic surgery : official publication of the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India, 48(1), 4–16. doi.org/10.4103/0970-0358.155260

Get Stronger with Wearable Weights: All You Need To Know

Get Stronger with Wearable Weights: All You Need To Know

For individuals wanting to improve their fitness routine can incorporating wearable weights and knowing how to use them effectively help achieve health goals?

Get Stronger with Wearable Weights: All You Need To Know

Wearable Weights

Adding wearable weights allows individuals to use their body weight with added resistance. This can add strength training to a routine but can also be used during walks or runs to increase cardiovascular health and aid in weight loss. Research studies have found that wearing a weighted vest reduces body weight and fat mass. This is because heavier loads increase energy expenditure for the increase in physical workload. (Claes Ohlsson, et al., 2020)

Benefits

Wearable weights are easy to use.

  • Depending on the type, they are compact and can be taken on the go.
  • Wearing weights is an option for individuals with injuries or degenerative joint disease like arthritis that makes it difficult to hold or move weights.
  • Exercise has been proven to be a useful tool for treating osteoarthritis. (Lei Chen, Yan Yu. 2020)
  • There is no age limit for wearable weights.
  • Because many are only a few pounds, they are available to anyone from adolescents to the elderly.
  • Anyone can benefit from the different types of wearable weights.

Types

Three main types of wearable weights include wrist weights, ankle weights, and weighted vests.

  • Wrist weights can replace dumbbells in some cases.
  • They are typically between 1 to 10 pounds.
  • Ankle weights can provide extra resistance to leg motions.
  • They can be found from 1 pound up to 20 pounds.
  • Weighted vests provide a full-body challenge.
  • The weight choices for them vary, as most contain pockets where weight can be increased or decreased.

Using The Weights

Individuals can use wearable weights as a complement to strength and cardiovascular regimens. Beginners will want to start with lighter weights worn for less time. As the body becomes stronger, it’s important to increase the weight to see results.

Ankle Weights

  • Ankle weights can be used during a strength training workout to add resistance to lower body exercises.
  • As the body ages, it becomes more important to decrease the risk of falls by increasing lower limb and trunk strength.
  • Wearing ankle weights is recommended to build strength, especially in older adults. (Hiroyasu Akatsu, et al., 2022)
  • Individuals can wear them during a walk or run to increase the challenge.
  • They can be used for a high-level core workout.

Wrist Weights

  • Wrist weights can be used like dumbbells and worn during a walk or a run.
  • Research shows that walking with wrist weights can improve walking gait. (Hyung Suk Yang, et al., 2018)
  • Wearing weights on the wrists generates a higher energy expenditure, which allows one to add intensity to a walk or run without having to increase speed. (Catherine T. Campaña, Pablo B Costa. 2017)

Weighted Vests

  • Wearing a weighted vest during workouts will create a full-body challenge.
  • They can be used while walking or running and automatically add more difficulty.
  • Another way to utilize a weighted vest is to wear it while completing a regular workout.
  • Whether doing HITT, strength training, etc, individuals can wear a weighted vest.
  • The weight should be evenly distributed to prevent any injuries or functional disorders to the lower body.
  • Studies show no change in gait or an increased risk of injury when used correctly. (Christopher J. Gaffney, et al., 2022)

Individuals want to talk to a healthcare provider before beginning a new fitness program, and adding weights is no different, especially if there are any current or past injuries.


Is Motion Key To Healing?


References

Ohlsson, C., Gidestrand, E., Bellman, J., Larsson, C., Palsdottir, V., Hägg, D., Jansson, P. A., & Jansson, J. O. (2020). Increased weight loading reduces body weight and body fat in obese subjects – A proof of concept randomized clinical trial. EClinicalMedicine, 22, 100338. doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100338

Chen, L., & Yu, Y. (2020). Exercise and Osteoarthritis. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1228, 219–231. doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_15

Akatsu, H., Manabe, T., Kawade, Y., Masaki, Y., Hoshino, S., Jo, T., Kobayashi, S., Hayakawa, T., & Ohara, H. (2022). Effect of Ankle Weights as a Frailty Prevention Strategy in the Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Preliminary Report. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(12), 7350. doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127350

Yang, H. S., James, C. R., Atkins, L. T., Sawyer, S. F., Sizer, P. S., Jr, Kumar, N. A., & Kim, J. (2018). Effects of arm weight on gait performance in healthy subjects. Human movement science, 60, 40–47. doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2018.05.003

Campaña, C. T., & Costa, P. B. (2017). Effects of walking with hand-held weights on energy expenditure and excess postexercise oxygen consumption. Journal of exercise rehabilitation, 13(6), 641–646. doi.org/10.12965/jer.1735100.550

Gaffney, C. J., Cunnington, J., Rattley, K., Wrench, E., Dyche, C., & Bampouras, T. M. (2022). Weighted vests in CrossFit increase physiological stress during walking and running without changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters. Ergonomics, 65(1), 147–158. doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2021.1961876

Nutritional Mistakes to Avoid for Muscle Building

Nutritional Mistakes to Avoid for Muscle Building

For individuals trying to build muscle but are not seeing results, can knowing factors like what foods to eat, how to work out, and genetics help achieve meaningful muscle gains?

Nutritional Mistakes to Avoid for Muscle Building

Muscle Growth Nutritional Mistakes

Muscle growth is an important element of overall fitness and health. Individuals can make nutritional mistakes like not eating enough protein or carbohydrates and not properly hydrating themselves which can prevent them from gaining muscle. Factors that contribute to muscle building, include:

  • Nutrition
  • Genetics
  • Training

Individuals who want to increase muscle mass more efficiently can rework these issues to maintain consistency and commitment to exercise and nutrition. Benefits include:

  • Building muscle helps strengthen bones
  • Improves balance
  • Decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Building muscle enhances strength and speed and can also reduce the risk of injuries or falls as you age. (American College of Sports Medicine. 2017)

Factors

Experts point out some common mistakes that can hinder muscle growth, like not eating enough protein, not consuming enough calories, overtraining, or practicing improper form and technique. As everybody is different there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building muscle or hypertrophy. These include:

Genetics

  • An individual’s genes contribute to how easy or difficult it can be to build muscle.
  • Some individuals have a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibers, which increases growth potential.
  • The natural distribution of muscle and body fat also varies and can affect the rate and location of muscle growth.
  • There are also differences in individual recovery capabilities that can influence the frequency and intensity of training sessions.

Nutrition

  • Nutrition matters when trying to build muscle. Individuals need to eat enough protein for muscle repair and growth.
  • Individuals may need to consume more calories than they burn to create energy stores.
  • At the same time, individuals need to consume enough carbohydrates and healthy fats to fuel workouts and recovery.

Training

  • Gaining muscle requires regular resistance or strength training exercises.
  • These exercises cause micro tears in muscle fibers, which then repair and grow back stronger and larger.
  • Effective resistance training includes – consistency, intensity, recovery, and progressive overload.
  • Progressive overload means gradually increasing the weight, frequency, or number of repetitions in an exercise routine to challenge the muscles.

Muscle Strength for Healthy Aging

  • Research shows that performing exercises that build muscle mass can slow age-related cognitive decline and decrease the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. (Joseph Michael Northey, et al., 2018)
  • Muscle-building exercise can also improve heart health and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. (Johns Hopkins Medicine. 2023)

Nutritional Mistakes

When trying to gain muscle, challenges can affect progress. Some of the most common mistakes that can delay or set back muscle growth and recommendations include.

Not Enough Protein

  • Eating protein like lean meats, dairy products, and seafood, is crucial for muscle repair and growth.
  • Not consuming enough protein makes the body unable to grow muscles, and you’ll see suboptimal improvements.
  • Get enough protein from various sources like beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, and plant-based proteins.
  • However, there is a limit to how much protein the body can use effectively at one time for muscle protein synthesis.
  • It is recommended to distribute protein intake evenly throughout the day, aiming for about 20 to 30 grams of high-quality protein in each meal.

Not Enough Calories

  • Muscles need calories to grow.
  • If the body is in a caloric deficit, the ability to grow muscle is limited.
  • Insufficient calorie intake can create energy deficits, making the body use muscle for energy instead of growing.
  • To fix this, individuals need to consume more calories than calories burned.
  • It can be helpful to track calorie intake with an application to make adjustments as needed.
  • Individuals having trouble increasing their calorie intake or there are questions about what the body needs, consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist.

Not Enough Carbs

  • Carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source during high-intensity workouts.
  • Not consuming enough can lead to decreased performance and slower recovery.
  • Recommendations include consuming a variety of whole grains and minimally processed carbohydrates, such as brown rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oats, and quinoa.
  • For individuals doing regular, moderate-to-intense training, carbohydrate recommendations can range from 3 to 7 grams per kilogram of body weight per day.
  • For individuals doing endurance or intense frequency training routines may need to increase this range.

Not Hydrating Enough

  • Water is necessary for all bodily functions, including muscle contraction and repair.
  • Dehydration comes with symptoms like muscle cramps, fatigue, and decreased exercise performance. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022)
  • For individuals who are not sure how much water they need? Recommendations include using half of an individual’s body weight as a starting point to figure out how many ounces to drink per day.
  • For example, individuals who weigh 140 pounds can set a baseline hydration goal of 70 ounces of water/8 cups per day which can be adjusted according to activities.

Water Intake Recommendations

  • The recommended total fluid intake from food and drink varies by age and sex. The general recommendations are around:
  • 11.5 cups per day for women
  • 15.5 cups for adult men
  • For just water, women need around 9 cups of fluid per day, and men need around 13 cups to replace fluids that are lost throughout the day.
  • However, the exact amount of water needed to stay properly hydrated also depends on an individual’s activity level and overall health. (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2022)
  • To prevent dehydration, sip water consistently throughout the day, especially before, during, and after workouts.
  • Foods with a high water content like certain fruits can help achieve daily hydration goals.

Not Enough Healthy Fats

  • Not consuming enough healthy fats can cause the body to not be able to produce enough hormones that support muscle growth.
  • Relying on supplements instead of getting nutrients from whole foods can also lead to nutritional deficiencies and imbalances.
  • Eating too many protein bars or shakes can also cause gastrointestinal side effects. (National Capital Poison Center. 2023)
  • Recommendations are to add more healthy fats, like avocados, nuts, seeds, fatty fish, and olive oil.

Forgetting Post-Workout Nutrition

  • After working out, the body is ready to absorb nutrients and start the process of muscle repair and growth.
  • The body needs nutrients to activate the recovery post-exercise
  • When the body lacks nutrition after a workout it can slow muscle growth and cause fatigue.
  • Recommendations are to pack a balance of protein and carbohydrates to refuel right after a workout.

Training Mistakes

  • Undertraining or performing low-intensity workouts can also slow down muscle growth.
  • Individuals who are not overloading their muscles – for example, using weights that are too light – will not break them down so they can grow bigger and stronger.
  • A lack of microdamage means muscle growth will be slower.
  • Muscle overload also requires rest.
  • Recommendations are to take at least one day of rest per week and avoid strength training in the same muscle group two days in a row.
  • When creating a lifting plan, be sure to include compound exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses.
  • These exercises work with multiple muscle groups and are recommended for building strength and muscle.
  • A training routine should include a variety of compound movements, like lunges, split squats, leg presses, pull-downs, upright rows, and push-ups.
  • If unsure of which compound exercises to include, consult a personal trainer, physical therapist, or sports chiropractor.

Military Training and Chiropractic Care


References

American College of Sports Medicine. (2017). Resistance training and injury prevention.

Northey, J. M., Cherbuin, N., Pumpa, K. L., Smee, D. J., & Rattray, B. (2018). Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50: a systematic review with meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 52(3), 154–160. doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096587

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Exercise and the heart.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Water and healthier drinks.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2022). How much water do you need?

National Capital Poison Center. (2023). Do protein bars give you gas?

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