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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Exercise-induced asthma especially prevalent among athletes

Posted September 12th, 2007 at 7:00 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

Asthma athlete Proper breathing is essential for every athlete. As anyone involved in athletics knows, without the correct breathing technique, you are greatly compromising your ability to perform up to your potential.

Unfortunately, thanks to a condition called asthma, not every person has control over their ability to breathe. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the breathing passages of the lungs. And while this condition is known to afflict many individuals, it is a specific form of asthma- referred to as “exercise-induced”- that researchers have noticed occurring in a large proportion of athletes.

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Q&A: Should I exercise outside on days when air pollution is heavy?

Posted September 7th, 2007 at 7:50 AM by Hariz Siddiqui

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

smog air pollution over city It’s healthful to exercise and harmful to breathe polluted air, so how can you decide whether you are doing more harm than good?

The worst time for pollution is when clouds cover the sky and automobiles fill the roads. Automobile exhaust fumes are the principal source of air pollution in most cities, and overlying clouds increase pollution. Usually the sun’s rays heat the ground to warm air closest to the ground. Hot air rises, taking large amounts of pollutants skyward. On air inversion days, the clouds prevent the sun’s rays from getting through to the ground, so the air near the ground is not heated, remains colder and doesn’t rise, causing the air with its pollutants to remain close to the ground.

Air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ozone, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide can damage your lungs. When you exercise . . .
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A Breath of Fresh Air:
The respiratory benefits of a Mediterranean diet

Posted May 28th, 2007 at 12:22 PM by Jessica Galvano

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Health & Fitness

mediterranean diet As runners, we are often conscious of healthy eating habits. Even if the occasional fast food lunch gets us off track, we remain generally aware of what we put into our bodies. But why then do we concern ourselves with the hamburger and fries we had for lunch? In most cases, we witness the negative consequences of these dietary “slip-ups” in the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular problems.

However, a recent study suggests that perhaps our diet affects more than just our weight and cholesterol. According to Dr. Varraso, a researcher at Inserm, a French research institute, there is a direct correlation between diet and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD—a condition that inhibits regular respiration and in its later stages, physical activity.

The American Lung Association recognizes COPD as an emerging killer in the United States. The disease, which refers specifically to emphysema and chronic bronchitis, now ranks as the fourth cause of death in America and claims over 120,000 lives each year. Although most commonly the result of smoking, Dr. Varraso’s research identifies diet as an additional contributor to the development of respiratory problems.
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Tai Chi: Excellent cross training since 1460 AD

Posted January 27th, 2007 at 2:12 PM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Running & Training, Cross Training, Health & Fitness, Exercise

Tai Chi is a series of gentle, graceful movements designed to exercise the body and clear the mind. Tai chi is a noncompetitive, non-aggressive, self-paced system of continuously flowing postures, using every part of the body and benefiting all bodily parts, while stimulating the psyche. It is also an effective exercise for overall health and improving athletic performance.
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Rookie running guidelines for long-term fitness

Posted January 9th, 2007 at 2:30 PM by Christopher Jack

Section: Running & Training, Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Health & Fitness, Exercise

The passing of another year means it’s that time again; time to look to the future and resolve to create that better you. For many, personal health and fitness become the centerpiece of their New Year’s Resolution.

Running can be an ideal and long-term means to those ends as long as you follow these simple guidelines:

Set a goal. The downfall of many beginners is setting a goal that is too high considering their running experience and fitness level. Starting small and building up can protect a new runner from injury and the frustration that may accompany failure.
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Don’t breath only through your nose during exercise

Posted January 8th, 2007 at 11:00 AM by Jamal Walker

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips, Health & Fitness, Exercise

People who exercise with their mouths closed aren’t working very hard. You can’t get enough air through your nose to meet your needs for oxygen when you exercise vigorously.

The cross sectional area of the openings in your nose is less than one-tenth the opening in the back of your mouth. That space is so narrow that when you pick up the pace, you could turn blue if you failed to open your mouth …
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What’s the big hubbub about Pilates? Can it help runners?

Posted December 17th, 2006 at 10:00 AM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

So, what’s all the hubbub about Pilates these days?

The name seems to pop-up everywhere: magazine covers (as I wait online), DVD’s (as I wait for someone to move out-of-the-way down the music aisle), overheard lunch conversations (as I wait for my salad), the gym’s class schedule board (as I wait to scan my card), the new boutique studio’s neon sign (as I wait at a red light on the corner).

Seems like Pilates is everywhere (and that I’m always waiting somewhere!) - So, what am I waiting for? A long overdue meeting is needed between my oldest and favorite pals:

“Runners, allow me to introduce you to Pilates, your new best friend”

It’s the time to dig-in, give-in and drop-in on one of those omnipresent and popular Pilates classes.
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Yoga can be a cure all – for all (yes, even for runners)

Posted December 7th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Running & Training, Cross Training, Health & Fitness, Injury & Rehab, Exercise

It can be done by anyone; anywhere. It involves mind, body and spirit. It strives to create balance; unison of physical and mental. It nurtures all areas touched upon in life; thorough in addressing all segments of one’s self and beyond. A learning experience. An art form. A must - for all athletes – and non.

Historically, yoga is almost as old as running. Running was actually the very first form of physical conditioning. I bet those cavemen didn’t even realize the health benefits they were developing while chasing prey – or being chased by an angrier or larger caveman! Read the rest of this entry »

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