Off Season Ski Conditioning

Hank Shell Off-season ski conditioning: a primer I can’t remember exactly what caused the crash. Clarity only lends itself to the events immediately afterward  – the immense weight of my body splayed out on the snow, the glare of the late December sun beating through the lenses of my goggles, and the worried thought, Oh

Crunch Time!

Paul Stevens Carpe Diem (but in a relaxed sort of way) “CRUNCH TIME!!!” I’m a bit late in filing this article as my schedule was recently interrupted by a serious cycling accident.  As I had done on numerous occasions this past spring and summer, I started my day with a high tempo ride that would

immune system

Get Outside and Exercise – Your Immune System Will Thank You

Evan Stevens The first talk of the session presented some interesting findings from their study. The researchers wanted to know the effect location had on exercise in the elderly, primarily on the immune system. They had senior subjects (age range 66-80) do a moderate workout on a cycling bike either in a blank office, an

Athleticism

Athleticism – It’s Nature Over Nurture

Evan Stevens    This was a hugely interesting session presented by the large Japanese contingent at the ECSS. The whole session was about how our genes contribute to our athletic performance, and how that can further be used to understand health. What came out of the talks was that if you want to be a

Alpine Skiing: A Form of HIIT

Evan Stevens This study looked at the applicability of HIIT for use in patients with increased risk of Cardio-respiratory events in cold, winter climates. The researchers wanted to look at how HIIT could be used to improve cardio-respiratory risk (CRR) factors through alpine skiing; an activity common in northern and colder climates where running and

Beta-Alanine For A Competitive Advantage

Evan Stevens The third talk discussed the possible additive benefit of beta-alanine and interval training on cycling time trial performance. Beta-alanine is a precursor (and rate-limiting substrate) to carnosine synthesis. Carnosine is an important dipeptide found in muscle fibers and can act as an antioxidant. This can increase the amount of time a muscle cell

Combat Heart Problems and Diabetes with HIIT

Evan Stevens Exercise can be used to treat (if not cure) type 2 diabetes mellitus. We know from past studies that endurance exercise can increase insulin sensitivity  up to three times it normally is in a diabetic person, as well, strength training seems to improve insulin sensitivity (to a lesser extent mind you). However, if

Woman picking out vegetables in grocery store

Nutrition Takeaways: Gatorade Sport Science Institute

Evan Stevens The main theme of this session was protein supplementation before bed to improve muscle protein balance and synthesis. We have known for a long time that protein taken a short time after exercise improves muscle protein synthesis. This is the process of repairing and building muscle after it has been stressed during exercise.

Rowing Ergometer

The Perfect Catch

Dayton Kelly Looking for a change of pace? Why the Rowing Ergometer should be on your radar. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood and under-utilized exercise machines in the gym is the rowing ergometer. The ergometer or “erg” for short is a device used to mimic the stroke one would take in a rowing boat.

Carpe Diem, The Series: Dog Days of Summer

Paul Stevens Carpe Diem (but in a relaxed sort of way) We’re not yet in to the dog days of summer but it sure feels like it.  Temperatures in the low 30s (about 90F) along with high humidity that pushes the humidex or ‘feels like’ temperature to the low 40s, (over 100F) for the past

Exercise As Medicine

Exercise is Medicine – Summary of the American College of Sports Medicine Conference

Julia Basso – PhD Exercise As Medicine The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. They are dedicated to “advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.” This year from May 31 st to June

Taken for a Ride?

Paul Stevens Article No. 16 June 7, 2016 Carpe Diem (but in a relaxed sort of way) With a continuance of brilliant weather, getting out on the bike has been nothing short of delightful.  Sunny skies, modest winds and warm temperatures add up to a truly great environment to hit the road. I have previously