With winter upon us, it is a good reminder that cold weather is not an excuse for inactivity. Athletes from cold-weather climates, such as the Nordic countries, are not content to stay indoors during winter. In fact, cross-country skiers from these colder climates might be considered the premier human aerobic athletes. Although some picture … Continue reading Are Cross-Country Skiers Premier Athletes?
Skeletal System
The Young Qualities of Old Muscle
Decline, decrease, deteriorate—all words associated with the aging process. Preventing “D” words is important to keep older people healthy. The loss of muscle is one of the most obvious age-related decreases we experience. Bulky muscles on a person that lifts a lot of weights or the sleek tone of a person that runs a lot … Continue reading The Young Qualities of Old Muscle
Go for a Longer Run…Your Bones Will Thank You
Turning on the television, I inhale deeply as the Olympic marathoners stride across cities to compete for their shot at a medal. As an exercise physiologist, I find all athletes particularly amazing. These men and women devote themselves to their training, pushing for just one more mile with each run. That extra mile provides a … Continue reading Go for a Longer Run…Your Bones Will Thank You
Dear Mom: Happy Mother’s Day … and Thanks for Sharing Your Bones
Warning! Understatement of the year to follow: Many fascinating changes take place in a mother’s body during and after pregnancy. One of the most interesting changes for many new moms, myself included, is breastfeeding. Often called “nature’s perfect baby food,” breast milk seems to contain an almost magical mix of essential elements—proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water, … Continue reading Dear Mom: Happy Mother’s Day … and Thanks for Sharing Your Bones
Physiology as Haiku for National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month. To celebrate, APS members and staff wrote physiology-themed haikus—because science is art, too! Stacy Brooks is the former director … Continue reading Physiology as Haiku for National Poetry Month
You Don’t Have to Leave the Stratosphere to Feel Like You’ve Been in Space
Astronaut Scott Kelly came back from 340 days in space two inches taller. Along with height, many aspects of the body change because of the weightlessness environment of space. The body loses muscle, heart and bone mass because it no longer has to support itself as it does on Earth. There is also no feeling … Continue reading You Don’t Have to Leave the Stratosphere to Feel Like You’ve Been in Space
Keep Bones Strong by Making Workouts a Priority
As a species, our bones have gone through many changes over time. A recent report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that as humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer culture to farming our food, our bones became weaker. Today in the U.S., approximately 50% of women and 25% of men over 50 … Continue reading Keep Bones Strong by Making Workouts a Priority