Your ability to sit on the floor and get back up is more important than you may think!

Getting to the ground and back up is a fairly complicated motor skill which can vary in difficulty based on one’s surroundings and physical limitations. There are many ways to accomplish this task involving movements such as squatting, lunging, kneeling, or bending over, and it requires lower body mobility, strength, and stability as well asContinue reading “Your ability to sit on the floor and get back up is more important than you may think!”

Motivation

Intrinsic motivation describes one’s internal drive to participate, exert effort, and be persistent when engaging in an activity. Intrinsically motivated individuals partake in an activity simply due to the pleasure and satisfaction derived from the activity itself (Hunter, 2008).  Not surprising, it is a huge factor in long-term exercise program adherence. As a person whoContinue reading “Motivation”

Osteoporosis, Age, Parkinson’s decrease dynamic balance and increase fall risk

Motor abilities influence an individual’s success in the performance of certain motor skills (Magill & Anderson, 2013). A motor ability of interest is dynamic balance, or the ability to maintain stability while one is in motion, as there is a strong correlation between poor balance and falls (although it is not the only factor), whichContinue reading “Osteoporosis, Age, Parkinson’s decrease dynamic balance and increase fall risk”

Will Power and Healthy Habits

Psychological deterrents to exercise and healthy eating adherence are of great interest to me. We’ve previously discussed that people who are more skillful may be more likely to be active, and self-efficacy research reveals that an individual’s belief in his or her ability to successfully do an activity is a large determinant of if heContinue reading “Will Power and Healthy Habits”

Practice makes perfect

I grew up to the sound of instructors reciting the mantra, “Practice makes perfect.” I was taught that all I had to do was practice hard and often, and one day, I’d be a master of whatever task I was working at. Unfortunately, research shows that the process isn’t that simple. One must deliberately practiceContinue reading “Practice makes perfect”

A Case For Crawling…In Your Workout!

When was the last time you crawled? On your hands and knees or hands and toes? Forward, backward, sideways, clockwise, counterclockwise? Many haven’t crawled since they learned to walk as babies. Go crawl right now. On your hands and toes, down and back in the nearest hallway. I DARE YOU! I bet it’s harder than youContinue reading “A Case For Crawling…In Your Workout!”

All About That Bass!

Everyone loves a nice, strong booty but getting one takes work! Activation Drills The first challenge many face on the road to booty gains is muscle activation. A great percentage of our days are spent, not generating power through our bums but sitting on them! For many, getting those gluteus muscles firing properly takes someContinue reading “All About That Bass!”

A Warm Up and A Workout

I write a lot about the pieces of the workout puzzle. For a change, here is a workout to try! Dynamic Warm Up Start with some foam rolling. Get 4 positions on your thighs:  front (quads), outside (IT Band), inside (adductor), back (hamstrings). Then, roll calves, glutes, upper back, lats and pecs. Only spend 10-20Continue reading “A Warm Up and A Workout”

Bridging the Gap Between Artist and Architect

Have you ever heard the artist vs. architect analogy? An architect spends years in studying the math, physics, and engineering concepts that lie behind designing a magnificent structure. He draws out the design taking all of this into account. This design is used to create an amazing building that stands up against time. An artist sees the buildingContinue reading “Bridging the Gap Between Artist and Architect”

Be More Sensitive…To Insulin!

What is insulin? Hormone: a signaling molecule produced by the body or synthetically to control or regulate the activity of certain cells or organs Peptide: a small protein, a chain of amino acids (110 to be specific). Peptide hormones cannot pass easily through cell membranes (like steroid hormones can) and must bind to receptors onContinue reading “Be More Sensitive…To Insulin!”