Quad Sets

Great beginners strengthening exercise for the quads. Also good in some post-surgical situations.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqUYNqZM43c




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Great Blog for Physical Therapists!

Check Out:   http://www.mikereinold.com

There are great PT related articles, videos, discussions, etc.  Well worth a look.

Exercise in School

You'd think this would be common sense by now....

Full Article:  http://www.today.com/health/bring-back-pe-exercise-should-be-core-class-report-says-6C10042734


My feelings: To those who oppose exercise/gym/recess in schools to have more time to focus on preparing for those stupid/restrictive/standardized state assessment tests; How many of you think that a young child (or anyone for that matter) can sit for 8hrs per day in class and retain anything useful without the occasional break?



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Mediterranean Diet and the Brain

Full Article:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/21/mediterranean-diet-brain-power-study_n_3312691.html

One more in a long line of articles/research supporting the mediterranean diet.

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Loving Olive Oil

As if we needed more reasons to love olive oil....

Full article:  http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/20/18380822-nutty-finding-olive-oil-nuts-can-protect-your-brain?lite

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Olive Oil and Alzheimers

Full Article:  http://www.express.co.uk/news/health/386723/How-olive-oil-helps-fight-the-toxins-that-lead-to-Alzheimer-s

The article talks about how extra virgin olive oil might reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.


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Pets and Your Heart Health

Full Article: http://www.today.com/health/pets-might-lower-your-heart-disease-risk-experts-say-1C9866275


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Running Barefoot

Full Article:
http://www.runnersworld.com/barefoot-running-minimalism/study-vibram-fivefingers-lead-greater-risk-foot-bone-injury

Brief Summary:
"In a 10-week study, 10 of 19 runners who transitioned to doing some of their mileage in Vibram FiveFingers showed signs of foot bone injury at the end of the study, compared to one of 17 runners who continued to do all of their running in conventional shoes."

My thoughts:
Conventional running shoes are designed to support your feet in a variety of ways to prevent injury and improve force distribution.  When running with the "barefoot" shoes, your load distribution will be different putting the smaller bones in your foot in a position to absorb more load which they are not designed to do.

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Flashers (Bilateral External Rotation)

Great exercise for rotator cuff stability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mwhmDjPoB0

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One Can Of Soda A Day Raises Diabetes Risk, Study Suggests

Full article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/25/can-of-soda-diabetes-a-day-risk_n_3154464.html

Preview:
In the study, people who drank a 12-ounce sugar-sweetened soda daily were 18 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes over a 16-year period compared with those who did not consume soda. And people who drank two sodas daily were 18 percent more likely to have a stroke than those who drank one; those who drank three sodas daily saw the same risk increase compared with those who drank two, and so on.

My thoughts:
No surprises here.  Sodas are loaded with more sugar than ever.  If you are a big soda drinker, how often (and how much soda) are you drinking?  Is there a healthier alternative that you can drink instead?  Can you reduce the amount of soda you are drinking?
The sugar in soda is bad, but soda has many bad qualities.  Try and eliminate, or at least reduce, your consumption of it whenever possible.

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Berries are Good!

Link to Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/27/berries-brain-toxic-proteins-accumulation_n_3133953.html


Berries are great for you!  Eat them!





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Vitamin P

Full Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/pets-stress_b_3077521.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular


Summarizing many of the health benefits of owning a pet.



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Obesity increases men's risk of dying from prostate cancer

Yet another reason being overweight is bad for you.

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/23/17881858-obesity-increases-mens-risk-of-dying-from-prostate-cancer?lite

The report highlights yet another reason being overweight can harm you.  The study found that you are more likely to die from prostate cancer if you are overweight/obese.

"He noted that being overweight is known to cause five cancers -- post-menopausal breast, colon, kidney, endometrial (uterus) and esophageal. Cancer of the prostate -- the gland that releases the male hormone, testosterone, into the body -- is the leading diagnosed cancer in men and the second leading cancer killer of men behind lung cancer."









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Acronyms

Quick and to the point!



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Variety is Key

http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/19/17827112-hey-coach-too-much-sports-practice-can-hurt-kids-long-term?lite

This article talks mainly about younger athletes and the injuries they are picking up because they are being pushed to specialize in one specific sport and doing the same thing year-round. Overuse injuries are on the rise in most young athletes.
The point is good for anyone who is exercising. Adding variety to your routine will reduce the likelihood of injuries and prevent boredom.



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Home Gardening for the Spring/Summer

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/21/grow-food-at-home-garden_n_3124020.html

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Lat Pull Downs

Lat pull downs are a great back exercise for beginners!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grdRZWItK8Q

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To Fight Hunger, Try Jumping Up and Down

Apr 9, 2013 | 6:13 PM ET | Karen Rowan, MyHealthNewsDaily Managing Editor

Exercise that involves vertical movements like jumping rope may fight feelings of hunger better than other forms of exercise, a new study from Japan suggests.

Studies have shown that exercise suppresses appetite for a short period, and research has suggested that appetite-regulating hormones released by the gut are involved in this effect.

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My opinion:  The research suggesting vertical exercise is superior to horizontal exercise in suppressing hunger seems thin in this article.  However, I think the overall point is well taken--Exercise will suppress hunger.  So many people say that they are trying to lose weight, but always seem to be hungry.  Exercise can help limit those cravings.

Full Article:  http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/3712-jumping-rope-exercise-appetite-hunger.html


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Your Exercise Chart May Soon Log Exercise, Too

Your Exercise Chart May Soon Log Exercise, Too
By LINDSEY TANNER , Associated Press

""All we ask our physicians to do is to make a comment on it, like, 'Hey, good job,' or 'I noticed today that your blood pressure is too high and you're not doing any exercise. There's a connection there. We really need to start you walking 30 minutes a day,'" said Dr. Robert Sallis, a Kaiser family doctor. He hatched the vital sign idea as part of a larger initiative by doctors groups.

He said Kaiser doctors generally prescribe exercise first, instead of medication, and for many patients who follow through that's often all it takes.

It's a challenge to make progress. A study looking at the first year of Kaiser's effort showed more than a third of patients said they never exercise."

My thoughts:  it is great to see that more attention is being given to regular physical activity.  However, most people know exercise is good for you and not doing it is bad.  What we need to start doing is motivating people to do it, not scaring them into it.  We've proven that doesn't work.  Also, your physician wagging their finger at you and telling you to work out "or else" is worthless, PERIOD.  It is great to have them instigate the conversation.  Then, as physical therapists, it is our job to show people how to exercise in a way that does not hurt and even feels good.

Full article:  http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/06/16380818-your-medical-chart-may-soon-log-exercise-too?lite

Sugary drunks tied to 180,000 deaths worldwide

Sugary drunks tied to 180,000 deaths worldwide by Rachel Rettner
http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com

This article talked about a worldwide study that looked at the relationship between sugary drink consumption and deaths.  Previous studies have linked sugary drink consumption to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer (among many other diseases).  This study tried to give some actual numbers to the problem.  The link below will take you to the full article on msnbc.com

Full Article









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