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Lead Stories: Sunday, September 7, 2008

Heart Health and Marathon Running: Preparation is Key

Posted February 13th, 2007 at 3:02 PM by Megan Hueter

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

The risk of death from coronary heart disease is decreased almost two-fold in physically active people. Regular exercise has beneficial effects on blood pressure, lipid profile (fats in the body), insulin resistance (ability to break down sugar to use for energy), and overall decreased risk of death.

However, prolonged exercise (such as a marathon running) is hard for the body to endure, especially the heart. The risk of a cardiac event is there, as indicated by dozens of emergency crews present at various intervals of an event such as the Boston Marathon. A 2006 study shows that heart damage from a marathon is significantly related to inadequate training and preparation; a problem seen in some amateur marathon runners.
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Master athletes age better

Posted November 25th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Martin Kennedy

Section: Health & Fitness, Exercise

Almost 50 percent of Americans die of heart attacks and strokes, diseases that are associated with a faulty diet and lack of exercise. Almost 80 percent are overweight or obese, which is also associated with lack of exercise. Yet only 13 percent of people over 65 engage in vigorous physical activity three or more days a week. Among those over 75, only six percent exercise regularly.

Master athletes are older men and women who compete in sports at a very high level, no matter how old they are. They are healthier than age-matched people in virtually every category that has been measured (Nutrition Today, Volume 40, 2006). Of course they are more fit, as measured by their maximal ability to take in and use oxygen. They have lower cholesterol’s, comparable to those of people in their twenties. They have lower glucose tolerance and HBA1C screening tests for diabetes. They have lower waist-to-hip ratios, decreasing their risk for metabolic syndrome and diabetes. They have far less body fat. Read the rest of this entry »

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Caffeine and Running: Hold Off on That Cup Until After Your Run

Posted October 29th, 2006 at 12:00 PM by Afton Cohen

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Nutrition, Hydration, Training Tips, Health & Fitness

Coffee. The aroma, the warmth, that first thought of so many in the morning.

Coffee beans, among others things like cocoa beans, cola nuts, and tea leaves all contain caffeine and are found in many common products.

According to the American Council on Exercise’s (ACE) Guide for Fitness Professionals:

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, making some people feel more awake and giving the others the jitters.

In affecting the body as such, it seems sensible to think that drinking coffee or consuming another caffeinated product would enhance one’s ability to perform athletically. However, there are many inherent consequences of this thinking (which I will discuss in detail later on in this post). Read the rest of this entry »

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