Fitness Professionals Archives - Page 2 of 64

Pre-Season Conditioning for Winter Athletes

Dr. Naomi Alberston/30 August 2024/ All MFN blog/

As a sports medicine physician, my job requires me to evaluate and treat injuries. What I am passionate about, however, is injury prevention and sport maximization! So, for those of you who don’t want to be “sidelined” for the ski season… read on and start training smarter!

Tens of thousands of skiers and snowboarders enjoy snow sports every year, however few prepare for the physical demands that these sports place on the body. Different sports use different muscles in different ways – if your muscles are prepared they will perform and injuries will be reduced. If you have been exercising all year and are merely switching into your “ski/snowboard” mentality, you should anticipate that you will need about 6 weeks for the body to adapt to the new activity and/or exercise before it’s ready to take on the challenges of the mountain. If, however, you have not been exercising, you will need a directed exercise program focused on the specific muscles required for at least 8 to 12 weeks prior to your first day on the slopes!

Depending on how aggressive a winter sport athlete you are, and how old you are, you should start with an assessment of where you’re starting from. I recommend having a baseline functional movement screening (FMS) done by a licensed physical therapist or certified strength and conditioning coach. This type of assessment can help to find your weaknesses and asymmetries to allow you to tailor your strength program to them. By doing this, you can minimize injuries and maximize your performance on the slopes! Starting your strength program early will allow you to enjoy the season to it’s fullest!

Warming up and stretching before hitting the slopes is another consideration. There are many schools of thought about warming up, however it is generally accepted that warming up muscles that will be used for a specific activity is a good way to avoid injuries such as muscle tears. A good warm up routine to use is to perform the activity you’ll be doing at about 1/3 to 1/2 the speed or intensity for 5 to 10 minutes. For example, start on an easy hill even if you’re an intermediate or advanced skier/snowboarder, remind yourself to keep form, look up, move your legs, engage your CORE, etc. Skipping the warmup can result in painful muscle tears that may take as long as 8 to 12 weeks to heal.

Stretching (Pre- and Post-Workout): Stretching your muscles after your warmup increases your flexibility and may help to prevent injuries. Additionally, if you incorporate a cool down into your workout you will increase your overall “fitness” and improve your cardiovascular health. Just 5 minutes of a brisk walk after your main workout can improve your cardiac tone and overall fitness. Believe it or not, the research shows that a cool down is MORE important than a warm up for fitness!

So, the secret to enjoying the slopes is easy… assess early, customize your strength training, and once the snow flies, start your warm up and stretching program on the hill. Happy winter!

Learn More: Specialized Education for Fit Pros

MedFit Classroom’s Sports Medicine Fitness Specialist online course is designed to provide fitness professionals with a thorough understanding of common sports injuries and recovery post-medical/surgical intervention with considerations in training, pre and post rehabilitation, nutrition and in some cases medication to support recovery in this population.

Advance your education and specialize with this 10-hour online course!

Naomi L. Albertson M.D. is Board Certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians and specializes in the non-surgical management of musculoskeletal problems, sports injuries, concussions, and the treatment of osteopenia and osteoporosis.

The Neural Hierarchy and the Stroke Survivor

Pat Marques/23 July 2024/ All MFN blog/

“We have a brain for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to produce adaptable and complex movements.” This quote may come as a surprise. As we are often only concerned with our client’s muscles, joint, lungs, and hearts. The reality is that all training is brain training, we just don’t think of it that way.

Patients Need Personal Trainers: How personal training can impact millions

Dr. Grove Higgins/18 June 2024/ All MFN blog/

In the United States, 11.2 million people were diagnosed with obesity and/or diabetes over the last year.^(1,5) These are primary risk factors leading to stroke and total joint replacements, adding another 8 million people per year.^(6,7) This means that the fitness professional in the post-medical and post-rehabilitation space has more potential clients than they could hope to serve. The question is how to reach them and build a business around these problems.

Personal Trainer and marketer Joe Lemon has some advice. Two primary problems for trainers trying to innovate this post medical/rehabilitation space are trust and visibility. Both these problems are interrelated and so deserve to be tackled for this space to become profitable.

In the United States, less than 50% of physicians suggest patients go to a gym. Even less (20%) recommend a personal trainer.⁽⁴⁾ But the question is, why? First, we found a general ignorance of what personal trainers can do for their clients and, secondarily, if personal training was a safe, effective modality. This is partially due to a lack of standardization in personal training education and regulation across the USA. In addition, until recently, there has been a lack of specific training for fitness professionals in the medical fitness space that can be understood and trusted.

Even for those exceptional personal trainers who do provide the training to address specific clients’ post-medical/rehabilitation needs, there is a gap between their skills and clinicians’ knowledge that they exist. Joe has practical advice to close that gap and create a bridge to clinicians.

First, identify who these clinicians are. Sports medicine, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, bariatric doctors and primary care physicians are all viable referral sources. Network and get to know someone who can make personal introductions for you directly to the doctor or their assistant or office manager, who is often the gatekeeper of the practice. Once you get the opportunity to talk to them, give them tangible, always take a pamphlet explaining your qualifications, education, and process. Providing them with hard copy printouts from the MedFit websites (medfitnetwork.org and medfitclassroom.org) are the most accessible sources of information you could use. And always, leave them with the material they can give their patients that link directly back to you in the form of business cards and pamphlets/brochures.

Lastly, get out and talk about what you do. Remember, communication is 7% what you say where 38% how you speak it, and 55% your body language.⁽³⁾ Getting in front of people these days is easier now than ever. Schedule talks at gyms and coffeehouses, video it, and post it online. The more you talk passionately about what you love doing, the better. Connect with your potential client recruit them to be your spokesperson to their physician for you.

Dr. Grove Higgins is a chiropractor, rehabilitationist, soft tissue injury expert, researcher, anatomy instructor, biomechanist, human performance expert, speaker, and corporate health consultant. In 2015, Dr. Higgins cofounded Neuroathlete with Coach Patrick Marques (LTC, US Army Ret.) and Peter Hoversten. Neuroathlete’s goal is to more broadly deliver neurological training to a global audience.

References

(CDC), U. D. (2021). 2020, National Diabetes Statistics Report.
Lemon, J. (2021). Business Development, Market Research, & Strategic Partnerships. (G. Higgins, Interviewer)
Michail, J. (2020, 8 24). Strong Nonverbal Skills Matter Now More Than Ever In The “New Normal”. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/08/24/strong-nonverbal-skills-matter-now-more-than-ever-in-this-new-normal
Pojednic, R., Bantham, A., Arnstein, F., Kennedy, M., & Phillips, E. (2018). Bridging the gap between clinicians and fitness professional: a challeng to implimenting exercise as medicine. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 1-5.
CDC f. (2021, 3 1). National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2019.htm#Table-021
Springer, B. D. (2021). Highlights of the 2020 American Joint Replacement Registry Annual Report. Arthroplasty Today, 9, 141-142.
Stroke. (2021, 5 25). Retrieved from Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm

Health and Disease Spans: Can You Change It?

Dr. Jim Herkimer/13 June 2024/ All MFN blog/

Sam is a 90-year-old client of mine who comes into the clinic every day, walks for 30 minutes on the treadmill, then jumps on the elliptical for 15 minutes following by another 15 minutes on the stationary bike. After he’s done with his cardio, he knocks off 10 pull-ups, unassisted, and then he finishes the rest of his strength program. He feels energetic and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. On the other hand, Bob, a client who came in a few months ago, is 62 years old, sleeps in a recliner most nights because his back pain is too severe to stay in bed. He is an attorney working long hours with high levels of stress. His long hours keep him from exercising on a regular basis, he is a borderline diabetic and has recently started Lisinopril to control his newly diagnosed hypertension.

What’s the difference between my two clients? Sam has experienced a long and successful health span. At 90, his disease span has barely started to show. Bob, on the other hand, has an early onset disease span. He is losing his function and productivity while experiencing a slow and steady decline into the abyss.

There are several factors that influence the onset of one’s disease span. Factors such as genetic predisposition, lifestyle choices and sleep patterns are just a few examples that will influence the shape of your disease span curve. Often, the interrelatedness of influencing factors dictate our life’s outcome. By understanding our history, recognizing the triggering events that have occurred over time and managing mediators affecting our health, we are in the unique position to have a positive impact on our health/disease span curve.

Regardless of your previous lifestyle choices, you can create a big change. It is amazing how quickly our bodies respond to positive changes. In as little as 30 days, I have seen people decrease their need for medication, increase their energy, improve their sleeping habits and become more engaged in their personal relationships.

Remember Bob, in 45 days he was off his pain medication, sleeping in bed and played 9 holes of golf which is something he hadn’t done in 5 years. It is essential to understand your lifestyle history to take the necessary steps in making a well-rounded change. Success begins when you work with the right professional to re-write your story which will in turn elongate your health span, shorten your disease span and result in dying young at a ripe old age.

Jim Herkimer, DPT, MS, ATC has been involved in health, fitness and rehabilitation for over 35 years. He is currently the CEO and Executive Director at Sports Conditioning and Rehabilitation (SCAR) in Orange, California. SCAR is a wellness and rehabilitation clinic providing a continuum of care for individuals through the life span. Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to help a variety of athletes and individuals from all walks of life reach beyond their potential.

What does the word “geriatric” mean to you?

MFN/11 June 2024/ All MFN blog/

geriatrics\ ˌjer-ē-ˈa-triks , ˌjir-\ : a branch of medicine that deals with the problems and diseases of old age and the medical care and treatment of aging people.

What does the word geriatric mean to you? Oftentimes, it comes with a negative connotation. It’s time to change the perception of this word in the fitness industry.

In the medical fitness space, we seek to align with doctors and health professionals.

Geriatric medicine physicians (Geriatricians) work to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities. To a great degree, this includes improving functional abilities and independence in their activities of daily living. With the rapid growth of the older population in the US, the demand for geriatric medicine is higher than ever.

Physicians specializing in geriatric medicine work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including physical therapists and fitness professionals, to implement care plans that will improve quality of life. This is where a properly educated fitness professional can enter, collaborate with doctors and make a huge impact in the lives of this population.

Senior Fitness vs. Geriatric Fitness

Senior fitness is popular in the fitness industry and many organizations offer education for working with seniors — but it’s primarily focused on seniors who are “generally healthy”. Senior fitness is centered on preventative measures to maintain existing health as a person ages.

But not all seniors fall into this category. In fact, most do not. Geriatric fitness is for those who are not healthy, who need guidance with fitness and lifestyle changes to improve degraded function so they can perform activities of daily living and be independent.

Why Specialize?

Specializing in geriatric fitness allows you to reach a huge market (there are over 70 million baby boomers with 10,000 people reaching age 65 daily!), but you’ll also find it to be a fulfilling part of your career. You’ll find creating programming for this group intellectually stimulating and challenging. You’ll also find it emotionally rewarding — helping geriatric clients make small improvements in their health will have an enormous impact on their quality of life, independence and well-being.

You’ll also offer peace of mind to caregivers — often adult children — as they are frequently the ones seeking an educated fitness professional to help their aging parent.

It’s time to see the word geriatric in a new, positive light. A personal trainer specializing in geriatric fitness is helping a senior maintain independence, prevent life-threatening falls and manage chronic health conditions to live their highest quality of life through their golden years.

Become a Geriatric Fitness and Lifestyle Specialist

Align yourself with the medical community and become a Geriatric Fitness and Lifestyle Specialist! Check out MedFit Classroom’s first of its kind online course for fitness professionals.

References

Exercise and Wellness and Their Role in Injury Reduction and Prevention

Eric Durak/7 June 2024/ All MFN blog/

For many exercise professionals, the goal of training and educating clients is to improve health, increase strength and performance, and improve fitness parameters. The concept of reducing injuries may not be high on their radar screens.

Trainer Challenge of Stroke

Dr. Grove Higgins/23 May 2024/ All MFN blog/

A stroke is an obvious turning point in most survivors’ lives. In a best-case scenario, it can be as minor as a mild concussion. At worst, it is a disabling brain injury that leaves the person incapable of caring for themselves—or even breathing on their own. In any case, stroke clients can provide a significant challenge to a trainer wanting to help them, once medical care and primary rehabilitation has plateaued. This is especially true considering the variety of experiences a survivor can have, following a stroke.

Training Clients with Arthritis

Christine Conti/14 May 2024/ All MFN blog/

According to the CDC, during 2019-2021, 1 in 5 adults in the United States experienced doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Since then, the number has consistently increased! The latest statistics from Health.Gov estimate the number of reported arthritis diagnoses is now 1 in 4, which is not only a leading cause of disability, but also a significant driver of economic costs.

Eating for Arthritis and S.O.S. — Sugar, Oil & Salt… Oh My!

Christine Conti/10 May 2024/ All MFN blog/

Is there such a thing as an anti-inflammatory diet? While there is no specific “diet” that people with arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should follow, researchers have identified certain foods that can help control inflammation. Many of them are found in the so-called Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fish, vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, nuts and seeds, among other staples.