Category Archives: Health and Wellness

The Slow Creep of Muscle Weakness

Most of us have heard about the dangers of osteoporosis, an age related condition that results in weakened, easily broken bones. But as we age, we don’t think much about losing muscle strength. Sarcopenia , the medical term for muscle loss, develops gradually. It begins around age 35, but at first the loss is slow— […]

Helping Your Child Prepare to Pitch for Little League

As your child prepares for the spring baseball season, your first concern should be helping him or her prevent injury. Most injuries to pitchers come from three sources: overuse, poor throwing mechanics and improper conditioning. In fact, Little League baseball has become so concerned about youth pitching injuries that they have developed pitch count regulations […]

Returning to the Tennis Court After a Lazy Winter

As winter fades away and the weather turns warmer, many of us jump right back into our favorite outdoor sports without any preparation, setting ourselves up for injury and frustration. Tennis is a physically demanding sport, so it is a great idea to ease into the new season with a sensible, sport-specific fitness plan. Tennis […]

Should You Use Weights While Walking?

You may think that carrying weights when you walk increases your calorie burn. But doing so increases your risk for injury. Think twice about holding weights when you walk—in many cases, you will burn more by just walking farther or faster. Even though it’s common to see people carrying weights as they walk, many experts […]

Core Reasons to Strengthen Your Core

Everyone seems to be talking about “core strengthening,” but many people don’t know what this phrase means. The body’s “core” refers to the muscles around the abdomen, pelvis, back, shoulders, chest and hips—the body’s center of gravity—all working together in a symphony of movement. As a result, it plays a role in virtually all activities. […]

I want to Hit the Golf Ball Farther: Golf Tips

Now that the golf off-season has arrived, it is the best possible time to improve your game. That may sound counterintuitive, but consider this—core and muscle strength, flexibility and endurance are the keys to a more effective and consistent golf swing, and what better time to improve these aspects of your personal fitness than when […]

Skiing and Thumb Injury

Skiing falls can often cause injury to the inner ligament of your thumb, caused by the force of the pole against this area of the hand during a fall. This area, a band of fibrous tissue connecting the bones at the bottom of the thumb, is known as the ulnar collateral ligament. This injury is […]

Resuming Exercise After the Flu Bug

Flu season is in full swing, and along with the regular flu, the new H1N1 virus is infecting thousands of people. Influenza can be a serious illness. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, body aches, sore throat , runny nose, dry cough and a general feeling of exhaustion and sickness . While the fever usually lasts […]

Treadmills: Getting the Best Results

If you are new to working out on a treadmill, you will want to make sure that you not only get the best results but also that your program is a safe one. Whether you are an avid outdoor runner who wants to transition to the treadmill for indoor exercise or a complete exercise beginner, […]

Minimizing the Risk of Ski Injury

If winter weather has you prepared to hit the slopes, be sure to take the necessary precautions to keep yourself injury-free this season. In addition to using the proper gear and sticking to the slopes that match your skill set, proper strengthening and stretching exercises can prepare your body […]