NCSF Blog

The proliferation of functional equipment and related devices provide personal trainers with greater opportunities to challenge their clients through engaging activities. These products offer added diversity in movements and oftentimes allow for training in environments that previously presented limitations and obstacles. Fitness entrepreneurs now commonly have a trunk full of equipment that can turn any park or playground into a viable training zone. Suspension devices, battle ropes, kettlebells, and the like all add to the exercise selection both in and outside the traditional gym setting. This is particularly helpful for trainers or clients that do not have access to facilities, or for trainers that schedule clients on Monday at 6 pm.

While the quest for the highly visible “six-pack abs” is in the minds of most exercisers the likelihood of the achievement is similar to a high school athlete earning a Division I scholarship in collegiate sports. Some elite athletes with the right genetics and work ethic will reach it, but most will not even come close. Part of the mystique behind the attractiveness is the idea that anyone can get lean enough to see the definition of the rectus abdominis. This is evident by the inundation of infomercials touting spot reduction from the latest fitness fantasy gimmick. According to the television experts if you flex your trunk enough times the abs will come right out as inches of fat disappear. While it seems laughable to anyone who is educated, preying on the ignorant is unfair and demonstrates the level of consumer protection afforded to Americans.

According to the reports, it was likely your friends that made you fat, and now your social networking habits may be wreaking havoc on your body image. Researchers at the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore found that 51 percent of Facebook users said that seeing photos of themselves and others on the popular social networking site made them more conscious of their overall appearance. Only 25 percent of survey respondents indicated they are happy with their bodies, and 12 percent indicated they have or have had an eating disorder. The national survey of 600 Facebook users ages 16 to 40 also revealed there are additional issues associated with the popular media outlet.

Children and young adults between the ages of five and 20 often participate in sports or physical activity without incorporating training regimens into their routine. Clearly, the body is naturally capable of performing strength- and power-based activities, so why is it so unusual to see a 60- or 70-year-old surfing, water skiing, or mountain climbing. Why don’t we see more older adults playing kickball, basketball, soccer or other activities commonly associated with the youth? Unfortunately, we tend to experience declines in strength and power, but this can be slowed with the introduction of resistance training for older individuals. Activities that promote muscular strength and power can help maintain these important components of fitness and performance, while engaging in frequent physical activity allows older people to maintain their cardiovascular fitness (CRF). And while they may not appreciate it now, optimizing cardiovascular fitness during the early stages of maturation will also benefit the young as they age.

Travel the country and enter any fitness facility; there are likely two guarantees: the first is the facility will employ professional trainers whose role and responsibility is to provide expert advice and assistance to members, and the second is that a large number of members can be observed exercising with poor form and incorrect technique. Why the disconnect? Professionals trained to teach exercise properly, standing among those who are exercising improperly. Why is it that only a limited number of members take advantage of the certified personal trainers for advice and education? And on the flipside, are there steps fitness facilities need to take to ensure their patrons exercise properly? It certainly is not due to the lack of recognition of the professionals. In addition to the pictures hanging on the wall, most trainers are very noticeable by the distinct badge across the back or front right pocket of their attire. The shirt easily identifies their role and should signal their ability and willingness to assist.

Like it or not, most residents of the United States find themselves having to “spring forward” an hour come March. While clocks on the wall are easily changed, the biological clocks that control our circadian rhythms do not adjust as easily. Research suggests these rhythms, which generally take about 24 hours to reset, may take even more time than usual when we lose that hour versus the “fall back” of autumn.

In March 2010, the federal government placed a mandate on restaurant chains with 20 or more locations to provide nutritional information to consumers. The federal health reform law requires the restaurants and fast food chains to list calorie data and additional nutritional information for menu items and self-service foods. The obvious idea was that consumers would be able to make educated decisions on the food choices and in effect reduce their risk for western culture disease. A new Columbia University School of Nursing (CUSON) study in the Journal of Urban Health (2012) analyzed the calorie counts for 200 food items on menu boards in fast food chain restaurants in a New York inner-city neighborhood. New York was one of the first cities to initiate a nutrition awareness program in restaurants dating back to 2006. According to researchers, "Although most postings were legally compliant, they did not demonstrate utility." In many cases, the listed individual components require math skills to determine the totals.

It is well documented that the human body is designed to manage a certain amount of external stress. It seems that moderate levels of stress applied with some level of consistency are handled very well, whereas high levels of stress create an environment of consequential neuro-endocrine and immune responses. Research related to telomere (RNA) erosion and subsequent premature aging links intense exercise, chronic stress, and lack of recovery. Interestingly, there is also a connection with the stress energy metabolism plays as well. Research has indicated that the number of calories one consumes is linked to lifespan and those who consume conservative amounts of food often enjoy a longer life. To add to the notion that less is better, new research from the American Academy of Neurology suggests that consuming more than 2,100 calories per day may double the risk of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in later age. MCI is the stage between normal memory loss that comes with aging and early Alzheimer's disease. The study is slated will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21-28, 2012.

Imagine going to make a purchase and you had to abide by the following rules:

1. You have to prepay and wait an extended period of time before the product is delivered.
2. You have to make payments most days of the week.
3. The product may never actually come and there is no refund if it doesn’t.
4. You may make some payments and stop before reinitiating the payment schedule, but any prior payment is lost so you must start the payment process over.
5. You may have to pay more than someone else for the same product and may actually get a lower level product in exchange.
6. Once the product is delivered you must continue to pay for the product.
7. If you stop paying for the product it will be taken away soon after that.
8. The only currency accepted as payment is self deprivation, discomfort, and pain.

Would you make the investment?

With obesity rates and health care costs spiraling out of control among the wealthy countries worldwide, many governmental agencies are implementing novel and aggressive measures to offset these costs and push consumers to reconsider unhealthy (disease-promoting) food choices. In a recent paper published in Health Affairs (2012) researchers at Columbia University Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco suggest a tax on sugary beverages would do the country a world of good. The researchers’ findings suggest, based on data from 2003-2006 NHANES and dietary survey, that a penny-per-ounce tax would reduce diabetes, save 100,000 from cardiac events and stroke, and cut down on premature death. These predictions come from the fact that Americans consume roughly 13 billion gallons/year of sugary beverages. That equates to about 42 gallons per American or 5,376 ounces. At 3 grams of sugar per ounce American average 16,128 grams of sugar/year (64,512 calories/18 lbs fat). This is an obvious problem.