Credit: iStock We see unique body sizes and shapes, faces and personalities every day. So, it should not come as a surprise that no two people are exactly alike—not even identical twins. Aside from the obvious differences in people’s outward appearance, there are many differences in people’s physiology as well. Mary-Ellen Harper, PhD, from the … Continue reading When It Comes to Losing Weight, One Size Does Not Fit All
Muscle
Taking Ibuprofen during Exercise May Cause More Harm than Good
Every January gym memberships spike and the wait to get on the treadmill gets longer. This happens because about 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, the most common of which are exercising more and improving fitness. Some people may believe in the concept of “no pain no gain,” but it’s a common misconception … Continue reading Taking Ibuprofen during Exercise May Cause More Harm than Good
2016’s Ten Most Read Posts
It’s been a physiology-full 2016 on the I Spy Physiology blog! From exercise to respiration to heart health and beyond, we’ve explored how the bodies of humans and other animals work, adapt and react. Today, we take a look back at our 10 most read posts of the year. Concussions among football players was headline … Continue reading 2016’s Ten Most Read Posts
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
To Play Better, Skip the Post-Game Drink
Sports and alcohol are a famous pair. Whether you’re a fan or an athlete, it’s common to follow up a great game with a drink or two. But does that drink affect your recovery after your workout? Researchers at California Polytechnic State University think that it might. Rafael Jimenez, Amy Engel and a team of … Continue reading To Play Better, Skip the Post-Game Drink
Running a Thousand Miles Can Be Exhausting. How Do Iditarod Sled Dogs Do It?
Have you ever had a morning where you just did not have the energy to go out for your five-mile run? What if you woke up in New York City and had to run to Miami? That is the distance Alaskan Huskies run every year at the annual Iditarod sled dog race. How these amazing … Continue reading Running a Thousand Miles Can Be Exhausting. How Do Iditarod Sled Dogs Do It?
Feeling Lightheaded after Exercise? Use the Heart in Your Legs!
Do you ever get lightheaded or feel a little dizzy after hard exercise? Maybe you have felt a little bit of “tunnel vision” after a hard sprint or when you stand up in the first hour after a long training session? This is a surprisingly common occurrence in healthy people, as recently reviewed in the … Continue reading Feeling Lightheaded after Exercise? Use the Heart in Your Legs!
What Makes You Move?
The muscles in our body contract and relax to walk and move us through our day. Even when we are not in motion, our muscles are actively working to keep us upright and steady. Surprisingly, this constant action doesn’t fatigue us like running at top speed for 30 seconds does. What is the physiological basis … Continue reading What Makes You Move?