The condition of our connective tissue depends on two factors—how old we are and what we have done in our lives to keep our tissue healthy, hydrated and flexible.
The health of connective tissue is a serious concern for older people, as movement restrictions can make it hard for them to perform simple activities of daily living. While personal trainers often develop flexibility programs and modify exercises to help senior clients succeed, there is another valuable technique to improve seniors’ range of motion.
What if kids would eat more fruits and vegetables (FV) as sides on restaurant menus, but restaurants were simply failing to give them the option? A study that asked kids about it suggests this could well be the case.
Do your kids fall short of achieving the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise? Though the weather may be turning cold (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere), researchers suggest that sending children outside to play may boost weekly activity levels. Just make sure you keep kids bundled up!
In the past few issues, IDEA Fitness Journal has reported on the link between exercise and scholastic performance. A study published in the Recreational Sports Journal (2014; 38 , 14–22) looks specifically at the important role that fitness facility membership plays in academic success at the college level.
A circuit-style format is very effective with kids. They can always look ahead to the next station to remind themselves what comes next, and if they don’t like a particular station they know it’s over in a minute. This will keep their attention and focus on the task at hand. By having activities that switch every minute, the class is quicker than a music video and almost as fast as the Internet! ...
Experts often suggest that in order to reduce childhood obesity levels, healthy habits must begin in the home. However, a recent study shows that many parents miss the mark— even when their child is considered clinically obese.
A new examination of the current scientific literature on exercise sheds light on how regular physical activity impacts physical and mental decline and early mortality among postmenopausal women. The researchers also identify which types of exercise may be best for this growing population.
Like many athletes, I was recently looking for a leg up on the competition. I was preparing for a fall marathon and already working hard on my running and speed work, but I wondered if by tweaking my diet, I could gain an edge. As a registered dietitian and sports nutrition coach, I was aware of several successful elite athletes who practiced vegetarianism.
Evidence is mounting that fit kids perform better than their unfit peers on a variety of learning tasks.
In a study conducted recently at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, researchers evaluated children as they performed reading and language comprehension exercises while wearing electrode caps. Fitness levels varied among the children, and these devices allowed the scientists to evaluate brain activity.