Beebleblog

A report on GMTV this week showed that running is an excellent way to stay young and fit. Research over a period of twenty years by the University of California at Stanford has shown that elderly runners stay more active and healthy than non-runners and are half as likely to die prematurely.

Runners v. non-runners

The research started in 1984 with 284 members of a nationwide running club and 156 healthy non- runners. All participants were 50 or over at the start of the study and the runners were running for about an average of four hours a week, which reduced to just over an hour after 21 years.

Running fights off disease…

This form of exercise helps to prevent age-related illnesses including heart disease and cancer. The researchers also believe it could boost the immune system and improve thinking, learning and memory.

Technorati Tags: arthritis, Exercise, Health, old age, osteoporosis

We are all aware of what we need to do to achieve our health and fitness goals: eat well and exercise regularly, but there is one aspect that is nearly always overlooked. Co-ordination is our topic today and more specifically, proprioception. Proprioception is a scientific term that refers to our awareness of the space around us. We use this skill everyday and it help us from everything from running to sitting.

An Example

A good example of proprioception is the sobriety tests carried out by the long arm of the law. As you watch the inebriated individual walk the line, trying to keep their balance, their proprioception will be working overtime as it fights against the effects of the alcohol. It is also a good example of alcohol and its effects on our ability to balance. What if you could improve your balance? Could you pass the sobriety test?

Technorati Tags: , balance, improve balance, proprioception, Sobriety test, stability, test your balance

If you jog or exercise outdoors you will enjoy it so much more in the summer. None of that battling against the wind, rain and freezing temperatures (unless you live in the UK - Beeble). But remember to protect yourself properly against the damaging effects of the sun. The sun rays can cause skin cancer and have an ageing effect on the skin.

Skin Cancer

Here in the UK someone dies from skin cancer every four hours according to the British Association of Dermatologists and some newspapers have reported that this type of cancer is rising faster than prostate and breast cancers.

Here are some points to remember before you go training in the sun:

•    Wear a hat, sunglasses and cover up your body as much as possible – loose cool trousers rather than shorts
•    Remember that the sun can cause damage even on cloudy days

When you have a baby it is a life-changing experience that takes time to adapt to: getting to know your child and the new routines can be difficult, but it can also be a very rewarding time. A common mistake is that the mother will leave little time for herself, to look after herself and to sit back and relax. If she neglects her own well-being then she will begin to feel down about her appearance and start to feel the stress and strains of having a new born baby.

So today we are addressing the benefits of postnatal exercise.

For the first 2 weeks after giving birth

You should not carry anything heavier than your new baby, avoid all physical stress and you should not resume full daily activities for a minimum of 6 weeks (until after your postnatal check-up). If you delivered via caesarean section you should not exercise for 8 – 10 weeks allowing for proper healing time.

Technorati Tags: back in shape, exercising, fitness, post natal, post natal exercise, post pregnancy, pregnancy

High blood pressure is considered as anything above 140/90. There are an increasing number of people suffering from high blood pressure and the advice is often to take up gentle exercise and reduce the intake of saturated fats and generally improve one’s diet. All good stuff but did you know that there are a few exercises out there that could make your condition much worse?

Train within your limits

If you have high blood pressure then one of the most important purchases for your exercise regime is a heart rate monitor. There is a huge difference between exercise designed to improve your heart’s strength and function and just going all out to try and push yourself to achieve your fitness goals. As a general rule any training you do should be between 65% and 75% of your maximum heart rate.

Technorati Tags: BP, exercises, fitness, high blood pressure, high blood pressure risks, high BP, lower blood pressure, workouts