Tag Archives: muscles

M is for Muscles

Your body has three different types of muscles. It’s important to understand a little about your own physiology when it comes to exercising properly and building a fitness program. The first type of muscle is called skeletal muscle or voluntary muscles. Tendons anchor these muscles to the bones and they are important for the control of locomotion and posture. Despite being called voluntary muscles, this control is often maintained as a reflex rather than something you have to think about doing. You can, however, exert some influence over them – such as when you consciously sit up straighter in the … Continue reading →

G is for Glutes

Your glutes are the largest muscle in your body. No, seriously and I’m not telling you that you have a big butt – in fact, far from it. It’s just that the gluteus maximus is the largest, single muscle in your body. There are plenty of other names for your glutes whether you want to call it your rear, your buttocks or your derriere. But the glutes do more than just look good in a pair of jeans. The glutes are engaged every time you stand up or sit down. Since I’m sure you do this on a regular basis … Continue reading →

Reverse Aging With Exercise!

Exercise is good for you. It makes you feel healthier, more flexible, and stronger. It can help your coordination and make it easier to perform physical tasks. It can ease the pain and swelling of arthritis. But studies are now showing that resistance training can help rejuvenate muscle tissue in senior citizens! A study from McMaster University Medical Center in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada looked at the decline in mitochondria function in older adults. The mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, and its dysfunction leads to loss of muscle mass and general impairment of function. Muscle tissue samples … Continue reading →

Tip of the Day- Stretch before bed

No gym and no special equipment, no previous experience required. Learn a lesson from your cat, and stretch! Stretching is often over looked for its health benefits. It can give you increased flexibility and better range of motion, improved circulation, better posture, stress relief, enhanced coordination, and lowers your risk of injury during exercise and daily activities. The American Association for Clinical Chemistry even suggests that stretching can lower your blood pressure and your cholesterol, and increase your body’s ability to use insulin to improve the metabolism of blood sugar and carbohydrates. Stretching keeps our muscles flexible and increases blood … Continue reading →

The Season for Skiing

It snowed in several places this weekend. Snow – that complete and total sign of winter arriving and where there is snow – there is skiing. Skiing is one of the best forms of aerobic exercise and no matter how cold it is outside, one of the things I remember most about skiing is that you can actually get hot on a 4 degree day as you plow your way downhill whether it’s a green, a blue or a black. (Admittedly, I’m a bit of a coward, I prefer the greens – the blues are just too steep for me … Continue reading →

What is Muscular Dystrophy (MD)?

Muscular Dystrophy is the general term for nine kinds of genetic disorders causing degeneration of the skeletal muscles of the human body. Our bodies require and manufacture specific proteins to support muscle development (like “food” for the muscles). In muscular Dystrophy, an error in genetic information causes the body to manufacture those proteins improperly, or not at all. This causes the muscles to slowly deteriorate. Sometimes this deterioration becomes evident very early in life, and other times it doesn’t appear until well into adulthood. A common form of muscular dystrophy which appears in childhood is called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). … Continue reading →