The Latest articles on Training Exercies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO TIME TO GET TO THE GYM??

 

When you don’t have access to machines, you can still get a decent Workout. Try the following Leg Exercise.

 

SEATED LOWER LEG EXTENSIONS:

Sit in a straight backed chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly raise your Right Leg so that it is Parallel to the floor and then slowly return to the starting position. Repeat this motion and then work your Left Leg. When you become more Advanced, try doing the same action with a bag of rice to increase the resistance put onto your Leg. Obviously, start with a small weight and build up.

 

SO WHAT’S BAD TO THE BONE??

 

High Protein diets may help shred kilos and increase Muscle but they also speed up bone loss. Large amounts of Protein induce your body to excrete bone building Calcium absorption. Without enough Calcium you are at risk of developing Osteoporosis. Since you probably don’t want to cut back on your Protein intake, you should take a Calcium Supplement and include Calcium rich foods in your diet. Add 20 milligrams of Calcium per day for each 340 gram Carbonated Soft Drink, each 115 gram cup of Coffee and for every 115 grams of Protein. Take it with Vitamin D  to keep Calcium in your Bones and avoid taking it with Fiber or Iron Supplements as they can block Calcium absorption.

 

CHECK YOUR FLAXSEED FOR LIGNANS!!

 

Flaxseed is a rich source of Lignans, a type of nutrient being studied for its potential health benefits. There is one type known to have Health promoting qualities known as SDG or Secoisolariciresinol. Lignans come from the shell of the Flaxseed so they may not be present in significant amounts in all Flaxseed Oil Products. Always make sure to check the label when purchasing Flaxseed or Flaxseed Oil Products. If Ground Flaxseed has been added to the Oil, it will probably contain a higher amount of Lignans.

 

ANYONE FOR AN AFTERNOON SIESTA??

 

Who says you’re too old to have a kip or a nap?? Recent Studies have shown that dozing in the daytime is a Stress Buster and helps to protect your Heart. All you need is 30 minutes a day, three times a week. Stress Hormones can damage your Health by attacking Organs, Glands and Blood Vessels. Stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as Smoking, Overeating and skipping the Gym. For a healthier, more relaxed body, get into the habit of taking a Siesta whenever your schedule allows it. Don’t sleep too long, though or you’ll have trouble sticking to your regular bedtime.

 

DO YOU WANT TO SPICE THINGS UP!!

 

Adding fresh Herbs will turn your regular ho hum Salad into a Super Salad rich full of Cell Protecting Phenois and Antioxidants. Boost your Salad’s Nutritive content with Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. If you want to add some Spice, please include Ginger or Cumin. From an Antioxidant point of view include Beetroots, Garlic, Broccoli, Spinach and Onions If you want to try for a Low Fat Alternative Dressing, please give Wine Vinegar and Apple a go.

 

EXERCISE POINTERS TO AVOID INJURY!!

 

• Do not bounce during Stretching!!

• Avoid Vigorous overarching of your Back and don’t exercise with your Knees locked!!

• All Muscles act in conjunction. You should focus on exercises that balance the use of these Muscle groups!!

• The object of proper Exercise is to Stretch and Strengthen your Muscles!!

• Develop Muscle awareness. Your Body will tell you if you are Overtraining. So Learn to Listen!!

• When Stretching, go just a bit beyond the point of Fatigue!!

• Do not Exercise too fast or you will Overload your Joints. Keep your Form Strict and take it Slow!!

TRAINING

STRENGTH AND MUSCLE MASS

 

Typically, athletes train intensely when preparing for a contest or competition and then cut back on the volume and intensity of training during down periods. Muscle performance depends on a complex combination of muscle fiber type, muscle size, muscle density and nervous control of muscles. Training increases strength and mass, but these changes reverse when you stop exercising. A study by French and Canadian researchers showed that curing deconditioning, submaximal strength decreased first- followed by maximum force and maximum power. However, the declines were influenced by age, gender and training experience. You will lose muscle capacity when you stop training, but the extent of these losses is fairly unpredictable. (Scandinavian Journal Medicine & Science in Sports, 23: e140-e149, 2013)

 

STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE TRAINING

 

Bodybuilders and power athletes don’t run 80 miles per week because it causes undesirable adaptions that don’t match the requirements of the sports. Weight training activates the mTOR-S6K1 pathway that promotes muscle hypertrophy, strength and power. Conversely, endurance training activates the AMPK pathway, which increases muscle cell mitochondria and enhances the muscles’ energetic capacity. A study from the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences found that protein synthesis resulting from either high-volume or high intensity weight training programs was not affected by a 30 minute aerobic workout on a stationary bike. However, the weight training did repress the endurance exercise stimulation of AMPK. This was an interesting, sophisticated study that did not agree with most findings in the scientific literature. (American Journal of Physiology, published online April 30, 2013)

 

COMPETING IN HEAT

 

How much does it influence recovery? Danish scientists examined chemical markers of muscle damage; post-exercise performance and muscle glycogen levels in semi-professional soccer players after playing matches in temperatures of 109°F and 70°F. Even though muscle temperatures were higher after the game in heat, markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase, myoglobin), glycogen and post-competition performance were unaffected by competing in the heat. (Medicine Science Sports Exercise, 45:860-868, 2013)

 

OXYGEN METABOLISM NOT IMPAIRED BY BIG MUSCLES

 

Diffusion works by moving substances from high concentrations to lower concentrations. Bodybuilders often have huge muscles, which can interfere with diffusion. Capillary density sometimes decreases muscles as they hypertrophy, so the oxygen must travel further to get from the blood to the mitochondria (cell energy centers). Italian researchers found people compensated for increased diffusion distances by improving the capacity of mitochondria, which could use oxygen more efficiently. In fit bodybuilders, large muscles do not impair their ability to use oxygen. (Journal Applied Physiology, in press March 21, 2013)

 

STABLE TRANIING BUILDS STRENGTH BEST

 

Exercising on unstable surfaces, such as BOSU balls, Swiss balls and wobble boards is a central component of most of these core strengthening programs. Most studies show that instability training is not effective for building the core. A study from Li Yongming the lower body and spine was similar when squats were performed on stable and unstable surfaces. Researchers measured muscle activation during the squat performed on stable and unstable surfaces (Reebok core board) using electromyography (measures the electrical activity of muscles). Subjects performed the squats using low loads. Studies using higher load showed that exercising on firm ground is best for building muscles during the squat. (Journal Strength Conditioning Research, 27:1349-1353, 2013)

 

HOW DOES OCCLUSION TRAINING WORK?

 

While the practical significance of these findings are not clear, it is important that we understand the mechanisms of how blood flow restriction (called Kaatsu training) influences strength gains. Letters to the editor Alan Mikesky from Indiana University-Purdue in Indianapolis and a group led by Jeremy Mikesky and colleagues from the University of Oklahoma described the controversy. The Oklahoma group attributed the changes to muscle to the effects of low-load training and not to any crossover effect. Dr. Mikesky argues that occlusion training with low loads affects the entire body and was an important trigger for muscular hypertrophy and strength. (Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45:1018-1019,2013)

 

NERVE TENSION CONTRIBUTES TO STRENGTH LOSS AFTER STRECHTING

 

Almost all fitness and athletic training manuals outlines pre-exercise warm-up stretches. That changed when scientists discovered that static stretching before exercise or competition decreased strength and power and possibly increased the risk of injury. An interesting study from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City showed that stretches that pulled on nerves in the legs decreased strength more than those that didn’t. stretching the hamstrings with the spine in a neutral position caused less strength loss. (Journal Strength Conditioning Research, 27: 1327-1332, 2013)

 

TRADITIONAL WEIGHTS

 

Decreasing muscle blood flow may trigger cell damage, inflammation, cell stress and anabolic hormone release. Muscles grow in response to physical and chemical stress, so it seems reasonable that restricting blood flow to muscles during training might promote hypertrophy. British researchers compared the effects of low resistance, blow-flow restricted training with non-occluded controls. The men trained with a blood pressure cuff on their leg pumped up to 180 millimetres of mercury and performed exercises at 70 percent of maximum effort. They trained three times per week for three weeks. They showed improvements in the bench press, squat, sprint times, leg power and testosterone. Occlusion training allowed athletes to make strength gains while using lighter loads. Try it; it might work. (International Journal Sports Physiological Performance, published online April 23, 2013)

 

HEALTH

BACTERIAL IMBALENCES IN THE MOUTH CAUSE BAD BREATH

 

These chemicals are released by millions of bacteria-consuming food and tissue in the mouth, which causes a smell like rotten eggs, rotten cabbage, garlic or fish. University of California, Los Angeles, scientists found that 100 to 200 bacterial species live in the mouth. Imbalences between them cause bad breath. Bacteria found below the gum line and crevices in the tongue are particularly guilty of emitting foul odors. Scientists are working on new techniques for balancing mouth bacteria. In the mean time, brush and floss frequently and don’t let your mouth dry out. (Scientific American, May 2013, p 30-33).

 

EXTREMELY LOW SODIUM INTAKE DANGEROUS

 

The American Heart Association recommends that people limit sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day. African-Americans, people over 51 years old and those with high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease should consume 1,500 milligrams per day. American adults consume 3,400 milligrams per day. The Institute of Medicine of the Centers for Disease Control concluded that studies do not support reducing salt intake to 1,500 milligrams per day. Extremely low sodium intake can lead to health problems. (http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2013/Sodium-Intake-in-Populations-Assessment-of-Evidence.aspx 

May 14, 2013)