Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Photo by Bruce Mars on Unsplash Getting up and getting to the gym can be a task on its own. So, you decide to hire a personal trainer to help you intensify your workouts and stay motivated – but the desire to work out and …
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash Once you’ve hit age 40, you’ve most likely started to experience some of the normal bodily changes that come along with the aging process. Your metabolism might be a bit slower, losing weight is more of a challenge, and …
With the use of technology on a steady rise, kids are getting less exercise than ever. Also on the rise? The number of kids diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.
Researchers recently took a closer look at a possible link between these two occurrences. In a new study, they found that regular 30-minute sessions of aerobic activity before school helped young children with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) become more attentive and less moody. If this exercise is outside, even better; playing outside has also been shown to reduce symptoms in kids with ADHD. This exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous. Further research found that just a single burst of exercise improved the attention span and academic capacity of the students.
Children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD have more trouble focusing in class than their peers, and they also may show more impulsive behavior. Exercise seemed to curb both of these issues, although it isn’t clear whether it specifically helps children with the condition, since improvement was seen in the whole student population.
Teachers and doctors weighed in on the possibility of physical activity as a prescription for ADD/ADHD. Many medical professionals said they often use exercise in their therapy protocol for the condition, and teachers who incorporate movement at regular intervals to break up classroom time said it seems to help drastically when it comes to both grades and focus. “It benefits all the kids, but I definitely see where it helps the kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder a lot,” said Jill Fritz, a fourth-grade teacher at Rutledge Pearson Elementary school in Jacksonville, FL. “It really helps them get back on track and get focused.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined that 11% of children had an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis in 2011, the latest available statistics, compared to just 7.8% in 2003. The same numbers showed that 6.1% of US children were taking an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medication, such as Adderall or Ritalin, up from 4.8% in 2007. ADD/ADHD medications generally are stimulants, which are a controlled substance. They can be quite harmful and may cause a plethora of dangerous side effects – it’s comforting for parents of kids with ADD/ADHD to hear that exercise may be a simpler, safer key to success.
Running has countless benefits for the body and usually is considered one of the top physical activities for the most overall health and fitness benefits. But like most exercises, running also has its downsides. Generally, these downsides include a variety of injuries, especially to the …
Photo by Meghan Holmes on Unsplash Injuries are usually a pretty common occurrence for athletes, but you don’t have to be doing backflips on a daily basis to hurt yourself badly. Sprains, muscle pulls, tendonitis, fractures, broken bones, and many other notorious sports injuries can …
We motivate ourselves with goals to work out regularly and stay fit. But sometimes, that overzealous enthusiasm can cost you in the long run. Working out (even though it is healthy) can lead to problems if it’s done excessively. Muscles need time to repair themselves in between workouts with proper nutrition to fuel your body. So how much is too much for you, and what are the signs that you might be overdoing it?
Chest Discomfort
Any irregular chest pain experienced during exercise should be taken seriously. Not all chest pain is the same – it might feel like burning, stabbing, tightness or achiness. If you’re experiencing chest or heart pain when you work out, you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible.
Dizziness/Vomiting
Vomiting after or during exercise is never a good sign. If this happens, it’s usually a result of over-working your system far beyond the point it can handle. Getting nauseous or light-headed from your workout can indicate that you’re dehydrated or experiencing possible heat exhaustion.
Joint Pain
If soreness is getting in the way of normal daily functioning, like walking to the bus or simply getting out of bed, this is usually a key sign that you need to get some rest. It’s normal for joints to feel sore shortly after an extensive workout, but anything beyond that should be looked at more closely.
Top scientific research institutions are focusing a great deal of their time and resources on developing the science of sports and exercise supplementation. Science has established that particular nutrients can improve muscle size and power, and support performance by improving endurance and mental focus.
Decrease in Performance
Performance in your workout should improve, or at least stay at a consistent level. If you notice your performance dropping or if you feel especially exhausted by your usual workout, you might be over training.
These are just a few guidelines to help keep you on the right fitness track. Now, this is not to say you can’t push yourself for those extra few minutes on the treadmill or go for 20 extra pushups. It’s great to challenge your body, but you also have to listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Also – don’t forget to balance out cardio workouts with proper strength training and other types of workouts, especially stretching (i.e, yoga).