Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

stretching

Maintaining Your Current Weight

Most of the time when people looking to lose weight, they are thinking about fat loss and gaining muscle mass. Let’s talk about what happens when you reach your goal weight or are happy with your current weight. The time and energy put into reaching your goal are very important; in order to maintain your goal weight, an equal amount of work still needs to be put forth.

You have worked so hard to get to this goal weight and sometimes it’s a little difficult to change the diet you were keeping and not go back up in weight. Also, look at the exercise side of things-  if you were working out 7 days a week to hit your goal, that may not realistic for your everyday life. It might take time in order to find what works best for you, but the great thing about being at a point where you are healthy and happy with yourself, is you don’t have to work quite as hard to maintain. These changes have become a part of your lifestyle and sticking with a balanced diet and regular exercise will allow you to remain healthy. By continuing to be mindful, you are less likely to lose track and eat poorly – you would not want to fall in reverse with your health and fitness.

Keep in mind that keeping a healthy, balanced diet is half of the weight loss battle. As for exercise, 3 days a week minimum should be enough to maintain your weight as long as you get a quality workout in. if you have an occasional week where you only work out once, you will not gain weight as long as you are living a healthy lifestyle. This means walking a little more during everyday activities, eating smart, and continuing to make healthy decisions everyday.

Throughout your journey to your goal weight, the healthy lifestyle habits are the habits you want to always maintain.  Adapting this lifestyle for the long term will allow you to lead an overall healthier life- not solely for weight reasons, but for health concerns, too.

 

By Corynne Duprey

 

Improving Game Speed & Performance

When working with athletes, speed and agility are training essentials, along with strength. However, it is common to mistake the difference between speed, agility and acceleration. The National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM) refers to speed as the ability to move one’s body in one direction as fast as possible and acceleration is how quickly an individual can reach their top speed from a non-moving position. Agility is the ability to accelerate, decelerate, and quickly change directions while maintaining proper posture. It is incredibly important, when training athletes, to consider what planes of movement they will be using during the course of a game, tournament or outing. Increasing speed, agility and acceleration can be a daunting task for trainers, but understanding the difference between the 3 and knowing drills to supplement each aspect will allow athletes to reach new heights.

Speed is a quality, essential to most sports. Some sports are more reliant on it than others and sometimes, it can even determine the success of one athlete over another. But, how exactly do we train for speed?

Increasing speed initially revolves around the idea of “perfecting” running technique. Arm action drills can increase coordination between our upper and lower halves, while wall-drills teach the athlete to achieve triple extension. In tandem, these rudiments provide the base for producing the most power per step and ability to cycle when at top speed. Squats, heavy sled drags, and isometric/eccentric hamstring exercises, etc. attribute to muscular development in the groups essential to speed development. Increasing muscular development and being able to “shut-off” the muscles that are antagonistic when sprinting will result in a faster athlete. Lastly, it is necessary to get out and sprint, using proper technique. Filming or using apps like Hudl are great ways to critique and help identify breaks in form.

While speed sometimes steals the spotlight, agility can turn the tides for an athlete in most sports. Athletes are required to move laterally (side-to-side) in order to defend, make quick cuts to evade defenders, or sometimes full turn into a sprint to track down a ball. Whatever situation an athlete finds themselves in, being able to quickly perform any movement at any time will give them a competitive advantage. Training to improve agility has a similar pattern to training for speed. Agility is based around motor control and proper positioning of the body. Agility also heavily features deceleration, so being able to reposition the feet to create better angles for absorbing and then producing force will make a significant difference. The main strength component for agility is a strong core. Most movements will require the upper and lower halves of the body coordinating movements. Thus a strong core will allow for the ability to dynamically stabilize and distribute force within the body more effectively.

Athletes can have natural speed and strength, but even the fastest and strongest need to be able to control their movements as scenarios change game-to-game, play-to-play. Training should emphasize developing technique, gaining overall strength and putting practice into real scenarios. After all, as Mike Robertson says, “games are won in tight spaces.”

 

By Julian C. Lee

Tapering for Optimal Performance

After periods of intense training, the best performances in strength or endurance sports usually occur following an appropriate taper phase.  A taper is a progressive and non-linear reduction of a workload during training for a period of time prior to competition.  In other words, after weeks of routine training workouts, where the intensity or volume is strategically increased for a period of time, there is a large reduction in the training load in the week or two before a competition or event.  This tapering technique is designed to avoid injury, overtraining, psychological stressors and/or extreme fatigue prior to the event in order to achieve maximal performance.

There are multiple facets as to why a pre-event taper is vital to achieving the best performance possible.  Changes in the cardiovascular system include an increase in maximal oxygen uptake (measurement of endurance), and possible hematological changes including increased blood volume, hemoglobin (oxygen carrier within the blood), hematocrit (volume of red blood cells within the blood), reticulocytes (indicator of bone marrow activity), as well as, a reduced red cell distribution width.

Tapering also causes positive metabolic changes as well.  These changes include a reduced daily energy expenditure, reduced respiratory exchange ratio (recruiting fat more efficiently for fuel) and an increased peak blood lactate concentration (greater exertion and higher threshold for work performance).  Lastly, muscle glycogen concentrations increase and calcium retention mechanisms are triggered during a taper, allowing for optimal muscle contractions and a greater stored energy within the muscles (2).

According to a research study completed in 2014 at the Laboratory of Sport, Expertise and Performance, the most efficient taper strategy for maximizing performance gains was to perform a 2-week taper with an exponential reduction in training volume by 41%-60% without any modification of either training intensity or frequency (1).  In other words, reducing load or speed and reducing the amount of exercise sessions per week were found less effective than reducing the volume of each workout.  For example, a reduction in volume could be performing 1 set of an exercise when you normally do 2 or 3 sets.  Another important finding of this study is that a period of overtraining prior to initiating a taper has been found to be even more effective than just a tapering phase itself.  However, the degree of overtraining prior to the taper is crucial because too much performance supercompensation can lead to worsening performance.

When working with a coach, whether it is for running, strength training, or general sports conditioning, be sure to discuss the appropriate taper period for you. Programming a reduction in the volume of exercise may be beneficial to your performance in your race, game, or competition.

 

 

By Anthony Locast

 

  1. Aubry, Anaël, et al. “Functional overreaching: the key to peak performance during the taper.” Med Sci Sports Exerc46.9 (2014): 1769-1777.
  2. Mujika, Inigo, et al. “Physiological changes associated with the pre-event taper in athletes.” Sports Medicine34.13 (2004): 891-927.

 

 

 

How Much Exercise is Too Much? Avoiding Over Training

For many, exercise is a way of life.  A great exercise program can increase fat free mass, lower blood pressure, and stimulate cognitive function.  On the other hand, poor exercise selection can result in injury, over reaching and over training. Let’s start by defining over training (OT) and how you can select the right program to avoid OT.

OT is defined as excessive frequency, volume or intensity which can result in extreme fatigue, illness or injury (which is often due to lack of sufficient rest, recovery, and perhaps nutrient intake).  There are two types of OT: aerobic endurance and resistance training. The first type, aerobic endurance OT, results predominantly from an excessive volume overload related to cardiorespiratory exercises.  Such exercises may include running, walking, or cycling. Training within the appropriate heart rate zone is necessary to avoid OT and equipment like a heart rate monitor works great for those high intensity settings to avoid over training syndrome (OTS). For prevention of overtraining, an important component would be a properly planned periodization program. A periodization training model will strategically vary the specificity, intensity, and volume of prescribed exercises. The goal of this time of program is to maximize aerobic and strength gains while reducing the risk for injury and over training.

The second type of OT is resistance OT.  Resistance OT primarily results from excessive high-intensity overload or too many repetitions using heavy weights or too rapid a rate of progression. For prevention of OT, an important component would also be a properly planned periodization program. Working with an Exercise Physiologist is critical to help develop and progress said program appropriately. Different types of OT (aerobic, resistance) have been reported to have different signs and symptoms, although performance decrements are a key common aspect of both.

There is a high degree of variability between individuals with regard to developing OT. Training practices that cause some individuals to thrive may lead to over training in others.  It is critical to have sufficient rest between training days to facilitate the recovery process. The amount of rest, however, depends on the duration and intensity of the training program and should be individualized for each person.  Periods of high-volume or high-intensity training especially require sufficient recovery.

Brandon Ayala, CSCS

 

Source: www.nsca.com

ACL Injury Prevention in Young Athletes

Knee injuries are common among athletes of all ages. Mostly common are tears or sprains of the the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. This small but powerful ligament works with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) to allow the knee to bend back and forth. It also helps to prevent the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur. The ACL also works to keep the knee stable during rotational movements.?

Athletes who play high-demand sports such as football, soccer, and basketball are most at risk of tearing an ACL. There is a risk of both contact and non-contact injury while playing sports. Even still, a majority of ACL injuries are non-contact. Female athletes are at an even greater risk of tearing their ACL. There are several factors that put females at a higher risk, including: overall strength (specific to the hip joint & lower extremity muscles), high Q angle (angle from the knee to the hip), and an inward collapse of the knee upon landing (valgus). Two of these factors can be modified with proper strength training to reduce the risk of injury. More often than not, however, athletes are focused on skills for their sport rather than strengthening. This is the greatest risk of all because weak athletes get injured.

Implementing a program comprised of both strength exercises and jumping/ plyometric movements with younger athletes is key to help reduce the risk of injury. These types of programs are more often done at the collegiate level, however, youth and high school athletes should implement strengthening in addition to skill work.  Exercises, such as the ones below, should be performed regularly, and executing them with proper form is vital. Warming up is essential to prime the muscles and the joint for movement. As the athlete builds strength in both bi-lateral and uni-lateral movements, they can then progress to performing plyometric movements. These exercises focus on developing power and proper landing form. The best injury prevention is prehabilitation- strengthening before an injury occurs to ultimately decrease the athlete’s risk on the field.

The following are some examples of warm-up, strength, and plyometric exercises that could be used in an ACL prehab or rehabilitation program.

Warm-Up

  • Jog forward
  • Backwards fire up hip extensors and hamstrings
  • Side to side shuffle- engage inner and outer thigh muscles and hips

Strengthening

  • Squats (advance to Goblet squat)
  • Single Leg RDL (increase SL Stability & strength the posterior chain)
  • Split Squats
  • Planks (focus on core & glute strength)

Plyometrics

  • Jump/ Landing Technique
  • Drop Jumps
  • Box Jumps
  • Bounding (Forward/ Lateral)

 

By Louise Mills-Strasser, MS

 

Signs, Symptoms, and Exercise Considerations for Stroke Victims

Although exercise has many benefits, a high amount of stress on the body can trigger negative events that one should look out for.  It is of vital importance to understand the signs and symptoms of cardiac events, such as the occurrence of a stroke.  Strokes occur when a blood vessel that is connected to the brain becomes extremely blocked from plaque build-up, causing a lack of oxygenated, nutrient-filled blood being delivered to the brain.

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in America today and can also cause long term changes leading to disability or lack of mobility/neuro-motor functioning.  This type of cardiac event can happen at any age but generally affects those ages 55 and older, and as we age our risk of having a stroke become greater.  Of all populations men, African Americans, and people with diabetes or heart disease are at the highest risk.

Some of the warning signs of having a stroke include sudden weakness of the face, arms or legs (especially on one side), sudden confusion or inability to speak, lack of vision, dizziness or coordination problems, and a sudden, severe headache.  If you have any of these signs, stop exercise immediately and get to the hospital or call 9-1-1.

The major goal of exercise after a stroke should be to improve the overall quality of life for the victim.  In addition to improving measures of quality of life, other measures such as functional capacity and mobility (i.e. increasing gait velocity), neurological impairment, and motor function (i.e. lowering the energy cost of a hemiparetic gait), will also benefit from regular exercise. The three major rehabilitation goals for the stroke patient are preventing complications of prolonged inactivity, decreasing recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events, and increasing aerobic fitness.

Before beginning an exercise program, the two most important things to consider are if the benefit outweighs the risk, as well as, the severity of the stroke.  A stroke victim should be evaluated by a medical professional before initiating a program—performing strength and aerobic training can lead to serious musculoskeletal injury.

To prevent muscle deterioration from prolonged inactivity, performing exercises that mimic movements of everyday life activities (i.e. standing from a seated position, squatting down, walking, reaching overhead) should performed regularly.  Moreover, moving the entire body throughout its full range of motion should also be considered.  In terms of aerobic fitness, stroke patients have been shown to achieve significantly lower maximal workloads and heart rate and blood pressure responses than control subjects during progressive exercise testing to volitional fatigue.

Setting reasonable goals to return to pre-stroke fitness levels as opposed to above baseline levels should be aimed for.  Exercising will be significantly harder post-stroke, but is of vital importance for the individual in order to improve their quality of life.

 

By Anthony Locast

 

Sources
Gordon, Neil F., et al. “Physical Activity and Exercise Recommendations for Stroke Survivors.”Circulation, American Heart Association, Inc., 27 Apr. 2004, circ.ahajournals.org/content/109/16/2031.

Exercise and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when the body loses too much bone mass, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and worst case, may break as a result of a fall. Peak bone mass is determined by sex, heredity family history, race, diet and exercise and about 60% of bone growth occurs during adolescence. Moderate exercise protects against osteoporosis, but too little exercise may cause osteoporosis. Inactivity may also cause bone loss, whereas weight-bearing exercises may maintain or help improve bone mineral density. There is a significant correlation between muscle strength and bone mineral density. Weight-bearing exercises have been proven to increase bone mineral density over time. These exercises include activities that make you move against gravity while staying upright. Weight-bearing exercises can be high-impact or low-impact.

High-impact weight-bearing exercises help build bones and keep them strong. If you have broken a bone due to osteoporosis or are at risk of breaking a bone, you may need to avoid high-impact exercises. Examples of high-impact weight-bearing exercises are:

  • Dancing
  • Jogging/running
  • Jumping Rope
  • Stair climbing
  • Tennis

Low-impact weight-bearing exercises can also help keep bones strong and are a safe alternative if you cannot do high-impact exercises. Examples of low-impact weight-bearing exercises are:

  • Using elliptical training machines
  • Walking (on a treadmill or outside)
  • Low impact aerobics class

Strength Training Exercises

These activities include moving your own body, weights or other resistance against gravity. Examples include:

  • Lifting weights
  • Using elastic exercise bands
  • Using weight machines
  • Lifting your own body weight

Balance Exercises

These improve your ability to hold yourself upright and help prevent falls. Examples include tai chi, yoga, and supervised stability exercises.

Remember to always check with your doctor before implementing an exercise routine.

 

By Louise Mills-Strasser, M.S., EP-c

Strength Training with Orthopedic Limitations

 

Strength and conditioning and physical therapy go hand-in-hand in the rehabilitation process, but they are often seen as separate or opposing entities. Physical therapy helps individuals to recover from injuries, surgeries, impairments with the use of manual therapy (massage, myofascial release, joint traction etc.), electrotherapy (used for pain relief and passive muscle activation), and the implementation of an exercise program (depending on the severity of the injury/impairment). Most patients enjoy the benefits of the manual therapy and hands-on treatment from the therapist and feel better after relaxing with ice and electric stimulation. However, building the strength required to return to daily activities and beyond comes from performing resistance exercises with periodical progression.

Injuries, surgeries, and diseases leave us weakened and/or physiologically imbalanced. The initial focus following a diagnosis is to alleviate the impairment, enhance tissue repair, and improvement of range of motion. When appropriate, basic therapy exercises can be progressed by adding resistance to increase overall strength and correct imbalances. Both physical therapy for injured or orthopedically limited population and strength training for healthy individuals use the same principle of progressive overload to achieve the common goal of strength improvement.

Outside of the physical therapy office, individuals should continue to follow a resistance training program to continue the recovery process and make improvement even beyond where they were pre-injury. Although it is important to isolate a single muscle or muscle group during the recovery process, total body and bilateral exercises should be performed to prevent further imbalances and to improve overall fitness. Building strength in the muscles surrounding a joint can lead to less pain in joints during certain activities. Strengthening opposing areas of the body and learning better techniques/ movement patterns can lead to better habits that will aid in future injury prevention.

 

By David McCalla, CSCS