In healthy individuals, systolic blood pressure (BP) increases in a stepwise manner with increasing exercise intensity. The increased systolic BP during exercise is largely due to increased cardiac output, which is generated to meet the increased demand for oxygenated blood in active muscular beds. However, some individuals present with abnormally exaggerated rise in systolic BP [...]
By Aliza Hirsch, Exercise has the power to confer extensive health benefits. However, at extreme levels, there are those athletes and competitors who are willing to sacrifice their wellbeing for the sake of improved performance. Despite the recent stricter enforcement of drug testing and punishment for drug use amongst competitive athletes, the use of [...]
There is no disputing the tremendous benefits of exercise, however is there a safest time of day to exercise? As seen in publicly reported events such as marathons and professional sports, there is paradoxically a slight increased risk of myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death (SCD) during vigorous activity. Biological processes in living organisms that [...]
By Benny Freedman, Rest between bouts of strenuous exercise is key to allow the body adequate time for recovery. Most athletes understand conceptually that rest and recovery are essential for optimizing performance, but often treat recovery as a passive necessity rather than an opportunity to actively help achieve their training goals. Ultimately, the body focuses [...]
By Richard Roberts, It seems as though with every passing year, we expect to fit more and more into our daily schedule. Work responsibilities, family matters and financial stress are at the forefront of our lives, and this may result in us neglecting our own physical health. Daily exercise is beneficial in many ways, [...]
By Jordan Robertson Posture is a necessary component in the success of any movement-based activity in daily living. Whether simply bending over to pick up a box from the floor or running a marathon, movement efficiency depends on postural quality (1, 2, and 3). According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) poor posture [...]
Despite the commonly known importance of water in our bodies, many athletes do not seriously consider the effects of hydration during and after athletic performance. Water maintains blood volume, regulates body temperature and is involved in muscle contractions (1). Perspiring is regulated by the autonomic nervous system and is controlled unconsciously by the hypothalamus; the [...]