Fitness Articles

Foaming for hamstrings. (Photo by Penny Goldberg)

Does Foam Rolling Really Help Get Rid of Sore Muscles?

If you have been to a gym in the past decade, you have inevitably seen foam rolling. Foam rollers have evolved from long white cylinders to brightly colored tubes that vary in texture, density and length. The list of proposed benefits of foam rolling is long. Gaiam, one of the

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lateral step up piriformis syndrome

Should You Fix Leg Length Discrepancy?

I remember a client from a few years ago who told me that he had chronic hip pain and low back pain for almost a year, and his physical therapist had told him that it’s likely because his left leg is “longer” than the other leg. His previous massage therapist attempted

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hyperbolic stretching, splits

Hyperbolic Stretching Review: Does Science Support Its Claims?

Hyperbolic Stretching is a rising star in the world of “next best thing” in fitness programming. The gender-specific program is based on the idea that full-body flexibility can be transformed in four weeks (eight minutes per day!) and that men and women need different stretching techniques to achieve their fitness

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active stretching hip flexors

What Is Active Stretching and Its Benefits?

Active stretching is where you take a muscle group you want to stretch and contract its opposite muscle group without using external support. The objective isn’t necessarily to increase your flexibility; rather, it’s a way to prepare for the upcoming activity For example, if you want to stretch your hamstrings,

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Do posture correctors work?

Posture correctors are supposed to help with spinal alignment while also teaching you what “proper” posture feels like. The question of whether posture correctors work may be somewhat related to the goal of the wearer. If the idea is to get you to avoid slouching, sure, they do that. But

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cobra stretch

What Is Static Stretching and Does It Help You Exercise?

Static stretching is a type of stretch where you hold the lengthening position of a joint and muscle for a period of time. Many of us were taught to stretch like this before we run, lift weights, or play a sport, probably since middle school. While we have followed the

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dynamic stretch tae kwon do

What Is Dynamic Stretching and When Should You Use It?

Dynamic stretching definition Dynamic stretching is a type of stretching that involves moving your joints through your normal range of motion repeatedly. Do not confuse this with ballistic stretching because dynamic stretching is done in a controlled manner. The ballistic version is done in a fast and uncontrolled way, which includes

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backpacks children back pain

Relative Risk Vs. Odds Ratio on the Backpack and Back Pain Study

Some researchers report relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) when comparing two groups’ outcome after they were exposed to a risk factor. While these concepts can help us make better sense of risk assessment, some people can confuse both terms. First, risk is the probability of someone getting sick

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core exercise training pregnancy

Do Post-natal Women Need Core Exercises for Pelvic Pain?

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ text_font_size=”14px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] A recent Dutch study challenges this idea about strengthening or activating core muscles to reduce pelvic pain. Using ultrasound to measure the thickness of the TVA among a sample of post-pregnant women with and

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Foam Rolling May Increase Leg Flexibility for a Very Short Time

Foam rolling may increase range of motion in some joints, even for a short time, but little is known exactly how long does this short-term change lasts. Researchers from Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina recruited 29 young subjects (21 women, 8 men) with various experiences with exercise and foam

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