Week: 10/12/14 to 10/17/14
It is essential for fitness professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest health and fitness news. You never know when your clients are going to ask about some new workout or fad diet they’ve heard about; don’t let them catch you unprepared. Use IDEA FitFeed to stay in the know. This inclusive tool collates health, fitness and nutrition news being shared by fitness professionals around the web and posts the top trending news items in one convenient location. If you are just learning about this tool or haven’t used it in a while, you can catch up here.
1. Nordic Walking Has Image Issues
Nordic walking is an effective full-body workout that burns more calories and uses more muscles than walking alone. However, many people are hesitant to try it because walking around with ski poles can look strange, according to this article from Reuters. Experts quoted in the piece are unsure of why this type of exercise hasn’t gained traction since the utilization of the upper body makes it more effective than normal walking, but they suspect it has to do with people being self-conscious about the poles. View the full article here.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Gabriele Ferreri
2. Movement, Not Ice, Is the Cure for Sore Muscles
RICE, the go-to treatment for pain and injuries, may actually delay healing by suppressing the body’s inflammation response, according to this article from Outside. The piece explains that inflammation is one of the first stages of healing, and that icing or taking anti-inflammatories blocks that process. The article notes that icing does not do any permanent damage, it just delays the healing process by about half a day; however, taking anti-inflammatories can cause long-term damage. The piece concludes that non-competitive athletes can still ice injuries, but that more competitive athletes should prevent inflammation through movement and proper fueling. View the full article here.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Megan Morris
3. Drinking Diet Soda Can Be Harmful
Artificial sweeteners in diet sodas may hasten the development of glucose intolerance and metabolic disease by changing the composition and function of the gut bacteria, according to this article from IDEA Fit Tips. The piece looks at a recent research study which found that artificial sweeteners have a direct effect on the body’s ability to utilize glucose, which can cause glucose intolerance and lead to the onset of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. The article notes that the study was very small and that metabolic syndrome has many causes, so more research is needed. View the full article here.
4. Why You’re Not Losing Weight
Are you trying to lose weight but not getting anywhere? The calorie-in-calorie-out method is outdated, since it doesn’t account for hormonal fluctuations and other variables that can affect fat loss, according to this article from MindBodyGreen. The piece highlights five commonly overlooked factors that can affect weight loss efforts, including sleep, stress, food intolerances, snacking and too much exercise. View the full article here.
5. Fructose Response Varies Among People
Fructose consumption may promote obesity and diabetes in some by overstimulating a hormone that helps regulate fat accumulation, according to this article from The New York Times. The piece looks at a research study which identified a specific hormone that rose sharply and consistently in response to fructose consumption. The study also found that people’s sensitivity to sugar varied. Obese people had the sharpest rise in the hormone after eating fructose, but there was a wide variation in the response, even in lean people. View the full article here.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Steven Vance
To view more top health, fitness and nutrition news article visit IDEA FitFeed.