Sports & Fitness: Performance Training, Rules & Recovery

Elite athletic performance and general fitness are sustained through structured hypertrophy strategies, sport-specific conditioning, and rigorous adherence to injury prevention protocols.

Senior women on cycling machine in gym, smiling, portrait

The Best Stationary Bike for Low Back Pain

About 31 million Americans suffer from back pain at some point. It’s the second most common reason for going to the doctor. While most people with back pain have a sprain, ruptured disk or irritated joint, others suffer from chronic conditions such as inflammatory arthritis or a degenerative disease.

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Are Mongoose Bikes Good?

The Mongoose brand of bicycles focuses on two product lines for consumers. The most popular line comprises discount bikes offered in department stores, while higher-end Mongoose bicycles can be found on the Mongoose website or in specialty bicycle shops.

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How to Calculate VO2 and VCO2

VO2 and VCO2 are important variables in measuring your body’s metabolism and efficiency during exercise. VO2 stands for the volume of oxygen that your body utilizes each minute. Similarly, VCO2 is the volume of carbon dioxide that you breathe out after transporting oxygen through your body.

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Man holding basketball

Is Height Important in Basketball?

Basketball players tend to be tall, thin athletes because their height helps them to reach toward the basketball goal and defend the ball against opponents. Male professional basketball players tend to be about 9 inches taller than the average American male, according to NBA.com and Dr. Steven Halls on Halls.MD.com.

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Basketball hoop with backboard in residential district

The Basketball Hoop: A History

Basketball has a long, rich history dating back to the late 19th century when the hoop was first invented. The equipment used to play the sport, including the ball and hoop, has evolved from a crude basket to a technologically advanced rim built for durability and performance.

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Bowflex Xtreme Exercise Chart

The Bowflex Xtreme home gym is designed to provide a full-body workout and offers more than 65 exercises. The Xtreme owner's manual provides detailed information on the many exercises that can be performed on the home gym.

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How to Start to Run at 50 for Women

Running is effective at burning calories, strengthening your heart and building muscle on your legs. Many people start to run for the physical fitness benefits but soon find that running offers much more, including relieving stress, boosting confidence and lifting their spirits.

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Can You Build Muscle on a Calorie Deficit?

A popular misconception in fitness and nutrition circles is that it is impossible to build muscle and lose weight -- via a caloric deficit -- simultaneously. While this is not impossible to do, it can be quite difficult and requires several specific circumstances to be in place.

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fit woman doing push-ups on the floor in her

How to Tone a Mushy Mommy Tummy

You may find your stomach to be the toughest part of the body to return to normal after pregnancy, even if it’s been six months, one year or possibly even longer since your baby has been born. Common causes are a weak core and a condition called diastasis recti.

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basketball in hoop

The Average Score of College Basketball Games

On average, NCAA Division I men's teams manage 67.875 points in a game. NCAA Division I women's teams score an average of 60.937 points each game. These figures are calculated by adding 16 teams' point totals together on a particular night and dividing that number by 16.

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Kickboxing class

How to Become a Certified Kickboxing Instructor

Getting certified to become a kickboxing instructor can seem daunting without guidance. The good news is, whether you are a fitness enthusiast, martial arts guru or a participant in a kickboxing class that fell in love with the format, getting certified is not difficult.

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What are the Causes of Arm Muscle Fatigue?

Muscle fatigue occurs when the muscle experiences a reduction in its ability to produce voluntary movements or perform repetitive actions, notes Biology Online. All muscles in the body can experience muscle fatigue, including your arms, but muscle fatigue has numerous causes and therefore different routes for relief.

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Woman in safety helmet in bike shop

When Do Bicycle Helmets Expire?

Although wearing a bicycle helmet may seem like a hassle, this simple piece of equipment is vital to your cycling safety. In 2011, according to a report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 67 percent of people who died from a cycling accident weren't wearing a helmet.

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woman doing fitness exercises with fit ball

Instructions for a 65 cm Exercise Ball

No matter your fitness level, an exercise ball, also called a stability ball, fitness ball or Swiss ball, can add an element of fun to your workouts. When used correctly, the ball enables you to perform a number of exercises to help improve your balance, muscular and core strength, and flexibility.

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Young couple hiking

Hours per Day of Walking for Weight Loss

Walking isn't the fastest way you can burn calories to lose weight, but if you stick with a simple workout, you'll eventually have reason to tighten your belt. Part of using an exercise such as walking for weight loss is to perform the correct amount of it.

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Trainer helping woman do abdominal crunches  on fitness ball

Middle Ab Exercises

The rectus abdominis, also referred to as the middle abs, is a band of muscle in the center of your abdomen. The muscle helps you to flex your spine, bend to the side and bring your pelvis and rib cage toward each other.

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Young man resting on a run

What Does Gatorade Do for Athletes?

Drinking fluids is a vital part of healthy exercise and sports performance. Water is essential for the human body, since it protects your organs and regulates body temperature. Athletes have options when it comes to replenishing the liquids they use up during their physical activities.

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Homemade beef jerky on threshing basket

Is Beef Jerky Good for a Workout Routine?

Athletes need more protein than the average sedentary person. To get the extra protein needed to repair muscles and tissue after workouts, you don't necessarily have to load up on supplements like protein powder. Beef jerky, a flavorful, protein-rich whole food, can help you meet your nutritional needs.

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Skier landing in deep snow in mountains

What are Good Ski Conditions?

Ski conditions encompass the weather and snow conditions that are available to ski during the winter and spring seasons. While some skiers prefer a certain type of snow pack, general weather and snow patterns allow for fun skiing for beginners and advanced skiers alike.

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The Best Kinds of Pants to Wear for Running

The best running pants can help you run comfortably in all types of weather. A variety of designs offer characteristics that do everything from keeping your muscles warm and dry to compressing your lower body. Running pants can also be stylish and fun, with a wide range of colors and styles to select from.

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