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Physical Activity Offsets Detrimental Health Impacts During Perimenopause

By Kristin Carpenter, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT The hormonal decline resulting from the menopausal transition (ie: perimenopause) is characterized by detrimental impacts on health including: increased cardiometabolic risk factors (insulin resistance, Type II diabetes, increased central adiposity, weight gain), reduced mental and physical health (depression, loss of lean muscle mass, reduced bone density and increased...

What Is The Best Predictor Of Longevity?

Quality of life and health span have joined lifespan as optimal goals for aging.  Lifespan describes living the years of your life at an optimal level of health and wellness vs. the gradual then steep decline that normally follows aging.  Losses in health span and normally associated with losses in physical independence. The low hanging...

Why Do Older Adults Move Slower?

As we age many factors limit our ability to move as quickly as we used to including disease processes, medications, neurological changes, balance impairments, and importantly weakness.  Age related weakness is a major contributor to falls, less independent living, and lower quality of life in older adults.  Age related muscle loss begins for most adults...

Losing Weight Through NEAT

Our bodies require calories to run effectively and efficiently.  The vast majority of our daily caloric needs are required to support our body’s metabolism and cellular functions.  Roughly 10-20% of our daily calories go toward fueling our exercise participation each day.  If these burned calories are not replaced by increased consumption a caloric deficit is...

What Are The Best Treatments For Achilles Tendon Pain?

Achilles tendon pain, previously called achilles tendinitis and now called achilles tendinopathy, is a common condition in both sedentary, active, and athletic populations.  Researchers estimate this condition will affect between up to 1 in 5 runners in their lifespan with the highest prevalence among all athletes found in ages younger than 45.  In our practice...

Reducing Your Risk Of Dementia

Researchers have estimated the incidence of dementia, and its’ most common form Alzheimer’s disease, will double approximately every 20 years.  The CDC estimates 4% of all adults over 65 years old and 13% of those 85 and older will be diagnosed with a form of dementia in their lifespans.  Thankfully, consistent with other chronic diseases...

How much high intensity interval training (HIIT) do I need to improve my health?

High intensity interval training involves alternating between short duration bouts of vigorous and moderate intensities of exercise.  The cumulative total of these interval minutes at a vigorous level is often more than an individual could sustain at a sustained vigorous intensity.  Allowing the participant to obtain the health benefits of vigorous exercise without trying to...

How Can I Lose Weight During Menopause?

One of the most challenging populations for any exercise professional is women entering the perimenopausal or menopausal phases of life wishing to lose weight.  Weight changes during this period for women are common due primarily to changes in key hormones, estrogen and progesterone, and metabolic changes/slow downs due to aging.  Combined these changes can lead...