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.

Young woman practicing yoga on the beach

How to Strengthen Inner Quad Muscles

Although your upper thigh is wide, the muscles that combine to make up the quadriceps are small. The rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius work together to form the quadriceps. The main function is knee extension, with the rectus femoris being responsible for hip flexion.

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Will Doing 100 Push-Ups a Day Hurt Me?

The ability to perform 100 push-ups every day requires a high amount of strength. If you are seeking to improve your strength or maintain your current fitness level, performing 100 push-ups every day may do more harm than good to your body. Before attempting any workout routine, speak with your doctor.

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Fitness Woman Exercising Her Legs On Machine

Injuries From Leg-Extension Machines

A leg-extension machine isolates and strengthens the muscles on the front of your upper leg, your quadriceps. Proper form, weight and technique are required in order to avoid injury on this machine. Even using those precautions, knee injuries may still occur due to genetic weakening of cartilage, tendons or ligaments.

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Woman doing shoulder exercises on an exercise machine

Are the Hammer Shoulder-Press Machines Effective?

Hammer Strength machines offer shoulder-strengthening workout variety. The machines are effective as they provide variable and progressive resistance. This means you can adjust the weight to match your workout goals whether you want to achieve muscular tone, strength or endurance.

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Two boys (11-13) playing football, lens flare

Youth Soccer Conditioning Drills

While in general, the best training for soccer is soccer, specific conditioning activities can help enhance a players' physical skills. The more time a youth player spends in conditioning work, the more she will have the requisite strength to fend off challenge on the soccer pitch.

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Three people stepping on step machine

Preventing Numb Feet When Using the Elliptical Trainer

The elliptical trainer offers a low-impact, cardiovascular-improving and non-weather-dependent workout. You seek out an elliptical for your home or gym workouts to improve muscle tone in your legs and protect your knees from the jarring impact of other aerobic activities.

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cross trainer in row with a view to the ocean

Hip Pain From Elliptical Machines

Although an elliptical exerciser offers a low-impact workout designed to be used by those who experience discomfort from impact motions, you may still have some hip pain after using this type of machine.

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Woman On Cross Trainer Machine In Gym

Are Gliders Good Exercise?

Glider exercise machines can be one of two types. An air glider keeps your legs mostly straight as you move them back and forth. An elliptical machine bends and straightens your legs as you glide through the workout.

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Person holding handlebars with bottled water at gym

How to Get Fit Using an Exercise Bike

Getting physically fit means you get healthier. A healthy body is one that feels strong, and capable, is within a healthy weight range and has an endurance-based cardiovascular system. If a fit body is your goal, use an exercise bike as part of your workout routine.

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Male fitness instructor training senior woman in gym, smiling

How to Build Muscle Mass at Over 30 Years Old

Reaching the age of 30 is more than just the beginning of middle age -- it's a physical fitness turning point. From here on out, if you are not active, you could lose approximately 3 to 5 percent of your muscle mass every 10 years, says IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

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Breast Stroke Swimming Race

How to Swim to Burn Fat

The aquatic environment is a comfortable place to exercise for your fat-burning goals. Swimming is an aerobic activity, which means it uses fat to sustain your workout. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a particular frequency, intensity and duration are required to burn fat.

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cycling macro shooting parts in the morning

How to Measure the RPMs of Bicycles

Your cycling pace is measured in two different ways. You can track your speed in miles per hour, similar to when you monitor your pace on a treadmill; for example, if you cycle at 4.0 mph, you cycle at a pace that covers 4 miles in one hour.

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Woman weighing herself in doctor office

How to Lose 20 Pounds in 10 Weeks

The most effective formula for weight loss is diet plus exercise. When you combine healthy eating with an active lifestyle, you can lose 20 pounds in 10 weeks. With a steady decrease in weight each week, you also lessen your risk for health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke.

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How Long Should I Ride a Schwinn Airdyne?

The Schwinn Airdyne exercise bike is an aerobic workout option. In comparison to other exercise bikes that are only usable with your feet, the Airdyne allows you to use your feet, hands or both to move the wheel of the bike. You can purchase a Schwinn Airdyne for use at home or use the bikes at health clubs.

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young woman exercising in a park

Can You Do Your Ab Exercises Twice a Day?

The correct formula for building a strong core is not always the same for every person. While you may want to train your abdominals twice a day, every day, more may not always give you the results you seek. Abdominal muscles need rest just like the other muscles of your body, so proceed with caution.

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Iron man triathlon cyclists (defocussed)

What Does SAG Stand for in Cycling?

If you are a bicyclist, SAG stands for support and gear. During a race, a SAG vehicle will be a welcome sight as you fatigue or encounter mechanical complications with your bike. If you are not a cyclist, you can support the athletes by volunteering to be a SAG driver.

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Football player

How to Get Big Soccer Legs

Although soccer requires running, it is not considered an aerobic sport. The American Council on Exercise says that because soccer requires many starts and stops, your body functions at an anaerobic level, meaning without oxygen.

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Women at yoga class practicing Gomukhasana

What Exercise Should I Do If I Can't Put My Arms Behind My Back?

Spending day after day typing on a computer or doing other activities that require your arms to remain in front of your body could lead to an inability to put your arms behind your back. Your chest muscles tighten when your arms are continuously in front of your body, and in response, your upper back muscles loosen.

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Man lifting weights

How to Max Out When Lifting Weights

Effective strength training requires good technique, correct workout frequency and duration, and the use of the right amount of weight. The weight you use will determine the type and the speed of your results. One way to calculate the proper weight to lift is by determining your maximum weight load.

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