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Lead Stories: Saturday, July 19, 2008

Philadelphia Running Group Encourages Homeless

Posted April 9th, 2008 at 9:00 AM by Megan Hueter

Section: News & Results, Columns, Health & Fitness, SPOTLIGHT

All too often, the streets of Philadelphia can be marked by homeless individuals whose inspiration stereotypically seem to have been lost in bad decisions, unfortunate circumstances or what some critics unwarrantably call pure laziness. But in the “city of brotherly love,” the homeless are stomping on the stereotypes… with their running shoes. That’s right—they’re joining together to overcome life’s challenges through one of the most self-disciplining sports out there—running.

Back on My Feet is non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia’s homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

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The Great Debate: Treadmill vs. Pavement Running

Posted December 30th, 2007 at 3:30 PM by Megan Hueter

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

With the low temperatures and adverse weather, it’s no wonder that many exercisers choose to hibernate and sweat in the gym instead of going out in the elements. But a great debate among all those fit is one of determining which is better: the treadmill or the pavement. When it comes to the winter season, research points positives and negatives in both directions.

The reason the treadmill feels “easier” on the body is because the ground is actually being pulled underneath your feet (meaning, your feet are not pulling your body forward, as they would if you were running outside), AND there are no other factors such as wind resistance.

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

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Help Lower Your Risk of Prostate Cancer By Eating Pumpkin Pie!

Posted November 22nd, 2007 at 2:54 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Health & Fitness

Yes - that’s right - it’s OK and even BENEFICIAL to indulge yourself with a piece of delicious pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving!

Thinking that this is some sort of cruel joke? Well think again! As Men’s Health reports:

Eating a large slice of pumpkin pie … will give you about 8,000 micrograms of beta-carotene, an amount Roswell Park Cancer Institute shows may halve a man’s risk of the disease.

Admittedly - there are other beta-carotene-rich foods that are a lot better for your waistline. These include: apricots, carrots, papaya, cantaloupe, spinach, sweet potatoes and mangoes.

However, the holidays are a special time - and after a long and stressful year - it’s time to enjoy!

Moreover, treating ourselves once-in-while is actually advantageous in the long-run. Read the rest of this entry »

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Caffeine and Dehydration

Posted October 30th, 2007 at 6:00 PM by J. R. Markham

Section: Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Hydration

You have likely heard before that you should try and curb your caffeine intake as much as possible so that you do not get into a state of dehydration. With recommendations for active people to always be trying to consume more fluid since they are sweating out so much when they exercise, it seems like it would only be natural to avoid putting anything into your body that was going to cause you to excrete more liquid.

Read the rest of this article at He’s Fit.

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How To Be An Economical
and Efficient Runner

Posted October 19th, 2007 at 3:26 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

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

For many runners, scoring a faster running time can be a point of frustration. Though you train regularly and your technique may seem impeccable, sometimes your efforts seem to add up to nothing when it comes to improving your speed. In fact, how fast or slow you run often has a great deal to do with your economy of motion.

Economy of motion is a simple enough concept. It refers to the relationship between how much energy you expend when you run and how fast you go. Typically, the less energy it take you to run a given distance the faster - or more “economical” - you will run. Unfortunately, as the New York Times reports, improving your running economy is one task that’s particularly difficult to accomplish, if possible at all.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

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Gauging leg strength

Posted October 16th, 2007 at 2:45 PM by Shannon Clark

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

One of the best ways to determine how you are progressing on your fitness program and how good of leg strength you have in general is with a wall squat test. A wall squat test will primarily assess your quad strength however the hamstrings and glute muscles will also come into play as well.

The nice thing about a wall squat test is that it is going to mimic movements that you perform very often in every day life, whether it’s getting up and down from a sitting position or walking up a flight of stairs. Being strong in this type of body position will be of benefit to you because it will make these exercises easier as well as help to prevent you from suffering any injuries in the future.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

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The Benefits of Group Running

Posted October 10th, 2007 at 12:37 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

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

To some, running can seem like a solitary activity. And for certain individuals, this statement certainly rings true. Some athletes love nothing more than to savor the peace, quiet, and relaxation that accompany their solo runs. For others, running is the perfect opportunity to have great conversations and make unforgettable new friends.

Running in pairs or groups is an activity long recognized for its benefits. Besides the obvious safety issues that running with others addresses, group running has also been known to have both performance-related and personal advantages. For starters, you have your own personal cheering squad to keep you motivated and working hard. When you are surrounded by people who are encouraging you to run faster and harder, and supporting you when you feel as though you can’t go on, it suddenly becomes easier to push yourself to that next level.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: Hesfit.com

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At what intensity should endurance athletes train?

Posted October 3rd, 2007 at 7:35 PM by Shannon Clark

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

One question that some endurance runners ask themselves is how much of their training they should be dedicating towards higher intensity runs and how much of their training is better off at low intensity. The common thought would be that since they are training for endurance, they should train in a similar manner. Some coaches and professionals however believe that training at higher speeds will help to improve their total body conditioning better and thus simply transfer over to a better performance during endurance related events.

Some researchers recently set out to run some tests on just this. The study was designed to compare the effect of two different training programs on endurance performance, one that comprised a great portion of training time in a lower intensity zone and a second that comprised more time in a higher intensity zone.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

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Suspension Training: New, effective training technique that does not require weights

Posted October 2nd, 2007 at 8:56 AM by Jamal Walker

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

The latest must-have in weight rooms across the country is nothing large and shiny, but rather a nylon strap with handles - the TRX System. Developed by Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick to keep his unit in top shape while no weights were available in small spaces such as in ships and submarines, the device can hang from anything steady (a door, tree branch, or, in gyms, a dedicated hook installed in the ceiling). Users must leverage their bodies to make their muscles work. The device is getting more and more popular, and is being used by athletes ranging from those in local gyms to NFL quarterbacks.

The manufacturer: Fitness Anywhere. They call it, “suspension training” - but you’re not really suspended from the ground at all. At minimum, one limb is on the ground. To get started, grab the handles, lean so that your head is pointing away from the TRX, and try out traditional dumbbell moves such as rows and bicep curls. To add weight, you simply tilt closer to the floor.

Read the rest of this entry at our partner site: HesFit.com

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Explaining Runner’s High

Posted September 25th, 2007 at 12:30 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: Running & Training, Health & Fitness, Exercise

Ever feel unusually cheerful after hitting the gym or increasingly confident after finishing up laps at the track? You’re not alone. This state of happiness after exercise is known as “runner’s high,” and has been a point of interest for researchers and athletes for years.The question is, what exactly causes runner’s high? Turns out, it’s all about endorphins.

Quite simply, endorphins are hormones that your body manufactures during exercise that are found mainly in the pituitary gland and nervous system. The interesting thing about endorphins is that they are renowned for having morphine-like qualities. In other words, they act like naturally-produced painkillers and sedatives. And, as exercise is a form of stress on the body, by participating in physical activity you are helping to release surges of endorphins.

To read the rest of this entry, please visit our partner site: HesFit.com

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