Author Archives: Kyle Thompson

Could training without helmets reduce head injuries in football players?

The potentially devastating consequences of repeated head injuries in American football has become a point of public discussion following the recent release of the film “Concussion,” which hit theaters on Christmas Day. The film tells the story of how a young Nigerian forensic pathologist, Dr. Bennet Omalu, discovered a progressive brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brain of a former NFL player, 50-year-old Mike Webster

Can too much exercise be bad for your heart?

Americans as a whole don’t exercise nearly enough, as evidenced by the obesity epidemic. As a result, many Americans face numerous health conditions, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease. But can there too much of a good thing when it comes to exercise? How much exercise is enough? The answer may not be so simple.

The benefits of resistance training

Resistance training is any kind of training that aims to increase muscle strength by working against a weight or force. There are different types of resistance training, including the use of free weights, weight machines, weighted medicine balls, kettlebells, resistance bands or body weight.

Choosing the right basketball shoes

Not all athletic shoes are made the same. The type of shoe you need depends on the activity you plan to do in those shoes. Athletic shoes have different features that are designed for specific movements and playing surfaces. For example, most basketball shoes have a higher ankle to provide ankle support, whereas running shoes have a shorter ankle.

How to prevent running injuries

Running injuries are extremely common among runners of all experience levels. Some statistics estimate that as many as 90 percent of runners miss training time due to an injury each year.

How to prevent back pain without orthotics

A majority of Americans (an estimated 80 percent) will experience debilitating back pain at some point in their lives. For many of those people, their episodes of back pain are repetitive or even constant. Causes of back pain range from genetics to traumatic injuries and lifestyle factors, but for some people, the cause of their back pain is unknown.

6 tips for a basketball workout

Basketball fans across the country are gearing up for the big college basketball championship tournament. But you don’t have to be a competitive athlete to get out on the court — basketball is a great form of exercise for increasing stamina, strength and hand-eye coordination.

How to build rest days into your workout schedule

Rest and recovery days are an important part of any exercise regimen. Weight training and cardio workouts essentially break down muscle and tissues in your body and deplete your energy stores. Taking a rest day helps restore your energy and allows your body the time it needs to heal.

When exercising for weight loss, choose quality over quantity

It’s been engrained in us to believe that the more we exercise, the more weight we will lose. New research suggests that may not be the case after all. If you are exercising regularly and not losing weight, it may not be because you aren’t exercising enough, but rather because you aren’t doing the right kind of exercise.

Reduce your cancer risk with exercise

Being overweight or obese can impact your health in numerous ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control, being overweight or obese can lead to heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnea, arthritis, infertility and even some types of cancer, including breast cancer.