“That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. … For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going.” - Forrest Gump … Continue reading Muscle Rebuilding on the Colorado Trail
Exercise
Fact or Fiction: Does Coca Candy Prevent Altitude Sickness?
This summer, I spent a month studying at the Universidad de los Andes in Chile. We visited the Atacama Desert, the driest non-polar desert in the world. It is nestled between two sets of mountains; during one of our excursions we hiked up the Andes Mountains to a village called Socaire, located at an altitude … Continue reading Fact or Fiction: Does Coca Candy Prevent Altitude Sickness?
Can Exercising in Low-Oxygen Conditions Help Breast Cancer Survivors?
Physical activity has been linked to a lower risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast cancer. Walking a few hours a week may even decrease the risk of a breast cancer recurrence as well as dying from the disease. The American Cancer Society currently recommends that people recovering from cancer should exercise at … Continue reading Can Exercising in Low-Oxygen Conditions Help Breast Cancer Survivors?
Not Horsing Around: Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding
Choosing your favorite part of a trip can be a difficult decision for travelers. I had countless unforgettable and unique experiences during a recent four-week trip to Chile. One excursion that stands above the rest was a weekend trip to San Pedro de Atacama in Northern Chile. I was studying with a group of students … Continue reading Not Horsing Around: Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding
Like Father, Like Son (and Daughter): How Your Dad’s Past Affects Your Future
What makes your father the best dad in the world? Maybe it’s his sense of humor or the times he has taken you to the movies or played catch in the yard. Or maybe it’s the fact that he made healthy lifestyle choices before you were born. Recent research suggests that your father’s health before … Continue reading Like Father, Like Son (and Daughter): How Your Dad’s Past Affects Your Future
Is Running Barefoot Better than Wearing Shoes?
Visit any sporting goods store today, and you’ll see a wall display full of running shoes for all types of runner, from sprinters to marathoners and everything in between. Before the 1970s, however, specialized running shoes weren’t readily available, and most runners ran with minimally supportive shoes or without any shoes at all. It is … Continue reading Is Running Barefoot Better than Wearing Shoes?
How Obesity Fuels Inactivity
More than one in three adults and one in six children in the U.S. are obese. Obesity—defined as a serious degree of overweight—is a leading cause of death, disease and disability. Although obesity has been linked to genetic disorders, it is most often caused by unhealthy behaviors and, therefore, is preventable and reversible. Throughout … Continue reading How Obesity Fuels Inactivity
Microvesicles and Blood Vessels and Exercise, Oh My!
The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 30 minutes of endurance exercise every day to keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy. A daily workout can help reduce your risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Endurance exercise is basically any activity that increases your breathing and … Continue reading Microvesicles and Blood Vessels and Exercise, Oh My!
Are Cross-Country Skiers Premier Athletes?
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?
How Your Brain Decides to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions (or Not)
The start of a new year can feel like a fresh slate or an unwritten book. It’s a chance for many of us to resolve to do things better (eating, exercising) or to stop doing certain things altogether (smoking). But most people don’t succeed in sticking to their resolutions in the long term, and … Continue reading How Your Brain Decides to Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions (or Not)