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Lead Stories: Friday, August 29, 2008

Studies may link athletes and hypothyroidism

Posted June 13th, 2007 at 12:17 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Running & Training, Health & Fitness

My mood was great, my weight was fine, and my running times had never been better – I was in the best shape of my life. So why was I in my doctor’s office, being told I had hypothyroidism? How does a 21-year-old, daily runner with energy to spare wind up on medication to treat a condition commonly associated with middle age, lethargy and weight gain?

It might sound surprising, but my situation is far from unique. As more and more athletes are being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, medical professionals are starting to make the connection between intense training (around 50 miles of running a week) and a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Recently, elite athletes Galen Rupp and Adam Goucher were both diagnosed with the condition – surprising, considering they are two of the best competitive runners in the country, and they hardly fit the typical profile of people diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Read the rest of this article at our partner site: HerActiveLife.com

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Endurance training techniques for runners of all levels

Posted January 5th, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Emily Hoskins

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

Unlike many recreational activities, training for a marathon is serious business. If you fail to train properly you not only run the risk of not finishing, but you could seriously injure yourself.

There are several types of endurance training out there, so finding the right one for your personal goals and needs is crucial. The types of aerobic endurance training differ in duration, frequency, and intensity which will lead to different physiological adaptations within the body that improve your overall fitness level.
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Lactic Acid - A Misunderstood & Natural Energy Source

Posted July 28th, 2006 at 12:00 AM by Allyson Rosen

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

I’ve been a runner most of my life and have always been warned about lactic acid build up. From coaches to teammates and friends - just about everyone has cautioned, “You better stretch so you don’t get that lactic buildup.” Even I started giving warnings out about it, like it was some runner plague that comes to your legs, builds up in your muscles, burns and tires them. But, in reality, I never truly knew about it and how it affects your muscles. So, like anyone who doesn’t know something, I resorted to the Internet and to athletic trainers for my answers.

According to an author for the New York Times, “Lactic acid is actually a fuel, not a caustic waste product. Muscles make it deliberately [all day long, resynthesized by the liver], producing it from glucose, and they burn it to obtain energy.”

The article continues to say that intense training will allow your body to become accustomed to the lactic acid and absorb it more efficiently.

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