FitBits
November 15, 2011
Exercise ETC's Review of
Exercise Related Research
Compiled by Laura Abbott, MS, LMT
Save 50% on "Senior Fitness" Correspondence Courses
www.exerciseetc.com/specials.html
NEW!! "Webinars on Demand"
Webinars available at YOUR convenience...
http://exerciseetc.com/virtual.html#recorded
Can That Daily Vitamin... Kill You?
A new study is finding that taking a multi-vitamin may not be so safe after all. The study examined the link between vitamin and mineral supplements and death rates among 38,772 women, average age 61.6. Women filled out questionnaires about supplement use in 1986, 1997 and 2004. Out of 15 studied supplements, seven were found to be associated with increased total mortality risk.
Among the findings:
- Use of multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc and copper were associated with increased risk of death.
- The link between supplement intake and death risk was strongest with iron.
- Calcium supplements were associated with reduced risk.
Does this mean we should all stop taking those daily vitamins? No, because much more research needs to be done. What is suggested is vitamins should be used for a "strong medically based cause" and not for prevention. In other words, make sure you are deficient in the vitamin or mineral you think you need to supplement with before you pop something in your mouth. If you do have a deficiency, work with your doctor or health care professional to find out the cause instead of only treating the symptoms.
Lloyd, Janice, "Study Flags Risk of Daily Vitamin Use Among Older Women." USA Today, ACSM Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Headlines, Oct, 2011.
Toning Shoes Mean A Better Body... Right??
So, you've see the commercial about the toning shoes. Your clients think all they have to do is wear these shoes during their daily activities and you, the trainer, are no longer needed. The shoes will tone their buttocks, legs, and one commercial even claims that, "Your boobs will be jealous." But do they really work? Is it time for trainers to look for another career?
No.
Dr. John Mercer from the University of Nevada presented his findings at the National American College of Sports Medicine Meeting, May of 2011. Because of the simple question from a friend asking if these shoes worked, he put together a study. After attaching sensors to various muscles and having volunteers walk on a treadmill in various shoes including Sketchers Shape-ups and regular walking shoes, they found no difference in muscle contractions or in oxygen consumption from the different shoes.
Other studies focusing on the rocker-type shoes found such a small difference in muscle forces while wearing these shoes that it basically had no effect on muscle activation.
So, while the shoes do not seem to do what they advertise, people still love how they feel. And hopefully, that is enough to get them out and moving. If that happens, Dr. Mercer says, "The shoes are working fine."
Reynolds, Gretchen, " Can Shoes Really Tone the Body?" NY Times (July 2011) and American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, May 2011.
Landry SC, Nigg BM, Tecante KE. "Standing in an Unstable Shoe Increases Postural Sway and Muscle Activity of Selected Smaller Extrinsic Foot Muscles." Gait Posture. 2010 Jun;32(2):215-9. Epub 2010 May 23.
Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors
Although exercise may not be the focus of cancer treatment, the survival rates have improved over the years, and we cannot ignore the side-effects of various treatments. Studies have shown that while the survivor has overcome great odds to beat the disease, heart function, systemic circulation and the ability to efficiently process oxygen to the skeletal muscles may be negatively affected.
Therefore, the goal of exercise for these individuals is to try to return them to pre-cancer cardiorespiratory fitness levels. The American College of Sports Medicine worked with various experts in cancer survivorship to review what we do know about physical activity for cancer survivors.
What is recommended first and foremost is to individualize the program. A baseline fitness evaluation would be very helpful. However, general guidelines include working up towards 5 sessions per week for 30 minutes per session at or near 40-85% of maximal VO2. This could be as simple as walking for 30 minutes.
Strength training and flexibility also need to be individualized. For instance, a woman who has undergone chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgery for breast cancer requires a complete and specific strength program to focus on posture, upper body range of motion, and stability in the shoulder girdle.
While these recommendations may seem aggressive in the beginning, it is a life altering opportunity for many to help them work towards better health in light of having survived cancer.
Klika, Riggs J., Ph.D, FACSM and Drum, Scott N., Ph.D, FACSM, "Surviving Cancer: Physical Realities." ACSM's Certified News, July-September 2011, Vol. 21, Issue 3.
Overweight Children and Blood Pressure
A study done by researchers has shown a correlation between overweight and obese children and the development of high blood pressure. Over 1100 children averaging 10 years of age were followed for 5 years. Researches assessed their body mass index and blood pressure at least 8 times during the course of the study.
Researchers found that when BMI exceeded the 85th percentile (obesity is the 95th percentile) the risk of high blood pressure tripled... yes, tripled! And remember, these are children. So what does this mean?
It gives us another reason to get children moving, exercising and eating healthy. Reducing BMI reduces blood pressure as well as helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, thus leading to healthier adults. This in turn will also help lower health care costs later in life, too. What could be worse than seeing a teenager having a stroke during PE because of high blood pressure?!
Eckert, George J, M.S.; DiMeglio,Linda A., M.D.; Zhangsheng Yu, Ph.D.; Jeesun Jung, Ph.D.; and J. Howard Pratt, M.D., "Intensified Effect of Adiposity on Blood Pressure in Overweight and Obese Children" Indiana University School of Medicine. Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association, November 2011.
NOW AVAILABLE!
"Webinars on Demand"
Webinars available at YOUR convenience...
We are very pleased to announce our brand new "Webinars on Demand" series. These pre-recorded webinars offer you the ultimate in flexibility for your continuing education needs. This series of recorded webinars offers you the option of viewing the webinar any time, any place, and as many times as you want. When you're done, complete a brief on-line attendance form and evaluation and print your certificate of completion immediately. Since each webinar is worth 0.2 CEC's and/or 2.0 CEU's, meeting your continuing education requirements has never been easier!
WHAT YOU NEED
All you need is a computer with a high speed internet connection and speakers. You do not need a webcam or a microphone.
HOW IT WORKS
Once you register for the Webinar on Demand you will immediately be mailed your receipt. Scroll down the receipt and you will see the title of each webinar your ordered. Beneath the title, there is a link that allows you to access and print your notes, and a separate link that allows you to access the webinar. That's all there is to it!
We are adding new classes to our line-up every week, so for details, click this link:
http://exerciseetc.com/virtual.html#recorded
Special! Save 50% on ALL
"Senior Fitness" Home Study
Correspondence Courses
www.exerciseetc.com/specials.html
Sale ends Wednesday, November 23, 2011.
Please allow 10 - 14 days for delivery. Sorry, no refunds.
To
unsubscribe or change your options,
scroll to the bottom of this newsletter
and click on the link.
©
2011 Exercise ETC Inc.
(p) 800-244-1344
info@exerciseetc.com