Exercise & The Brain
“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.” - Hippocrates
Research is now showing that exercise is not just good for the body, but excellent for the brain. Active motion is the key. Studies have shown a strong correlation between chronic depression and chronic low back pain. There is a definite mind-body connection, and by focusing on active exercises and active treatments, both the brain and body will benefit.
Many exercise books explain the benefits of running, resistance training, swimming, biking, and other activities. These exercises are extremely helpful in reducing weight loss, increasing muscle strength, improved flexibility and so on. However, many people overlook the mental impact that exercise can have on the body.
Fuel-Factor: Nutrition Essentials
From personal experience - Kim Mueller is San Diego’s top sports nutritionist, you can train all you want, and bank on training alone to get you through a tough endurance event; proper training is imperative, but keep in mind, what you put into your body is just as important. Kim goes beyond typical nutritional advice, she precisely programs your nutritional needs based on what your body requires to perform optimally -
If you are like me, often it takes muscle cramps on the last leg of race, or dehydration to set in before seeking expert advice…which is an option, or you can schedule a consultation with Kim Mueller. She is awesome and won’t let you down!
Training for Rock n’ Roll San Diego or another event in 2009? Don’t let your performance ‘hit the wall’ like the economy! Fuel Factor is excited to introduce its RUN-Nutrition Essentials Program, a program specifically geared for groups of 3 or more athletes training for marathons and ultras.
Tight - Weak - Injured - Is Stretching the Best Approach?
Releasing Tight Hamstring
If muscles are tight, should you stretch them?
If you are weak, is it because of a lack of strength?
The answer to these questions depends on what is causing your muscle tightness or weakness. Many people have misconceptions about how muscles work. “Tight” muscles are viewed as being strong, while “loose” muscles are viewed as weak or out of shape. However, if a muscle remains tight for an extended amount of time, it grows weaker, leading to a reduction in performance - and ultimately, an injury. It is important to be aware of your injury type so that the best treatment can be administered Learning more about soft tissue damage is the best place to start.
What causes soft tissue damage?
- Acute conditions: such as pulls, tears, and collisions. (Acute Injury)
- Micro-trauma: overuse conditions, performing repetitive actions over and over again. (Repetitive Strain Injury)
- Repeated or sustained contraction of soft tissue resulting in a hypoxic environment. (Hypoxic fibrous adhesion pathway)
Hypoxic fibrous adhesion pathway - okay, sounds complex, but it’s really an important concept to grasp when treating chronic musculo-skeletal injuries. Dr. William Brady D.C., CSCS, founder of Integrative Diagnosis, explains this concept in an easy to understand style. For a more complete picture, click here to view article.
Damaging soft tissue can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected areas. When you accumulate these unhealthy tissues-adhesions, scar tissue, fuzz, knots-normal movements are restricted and the muscle’s natural ability to contract is weakened. In addition, these injuries can reduce range of motion, and cause pain, loss of strength, and early fatigue.
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