One of our best measures of an individual’s fitness and overall physical health is the VO2 max. This measurement allows us to determine the body’s ability to bring in and utilize oxygen during activity. In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we often use heart rate or ratings of perceived exertion to...
One of the reasons our species reached the top of the food chain involves our ability to thrive under a variety of environments and circumstances. Our ability to conserve energy and resources during times of scarcity has ensured our survival, but in times of abundance these physiological mechanisms likely hold us back from our fitness...
The size of mountain bike wheels has undergone significant changes in the history of the sport. Currently the traditional diameter of 26 inches is being challenged by the more recent 29 inch diameter (29ers). 29ers are 10% larger than 26 inch wheels and have been promoted as being easier to ride for taller riders and...
Triathlon athletes have varying distances to compete in from shorter sprint races to longer Ironman distance events. As the events progress from sprint to Olympic to Ironman distance the percentage of time spent in each discipline (swim, bike, run) adjusts with the distance. Research has shown when comparing the Olympic and Ironman distances athletes will...
1. How did you get involved with triathlon? I sort of tripped into triathlon sideways. I came from a swimming background. I swam in college for Stanford University and represented the USA on the National Team at the Pan Pacific Games in 1989, the Goodwill Games in 1990 and the Pan American Games in 1991....
Strength and muscle hypertrophy (growth) are two separate benefits of strength training. In some participants these occur together, but in other participants (age, sex, training status, nutrition) strength gains often occur without significant increases in muscle size. This is an important point for individuals who refrain from weight training due to fear of “bulking up”...
Empowering Boulder and Lafayette’s Active Community with One-on-One, Evidence-Based Sports Performance Training Mend Colorado, a locally owned physical therapy and performance clinic serving Boulder and Lafayette, has launched a revamped Sports Performance Training page. Unlike generic group fitness or personal training, Mend Colorado’s sports performance program is led exclusively by board-certified Doctors of Physical Therapy....
If you are wondering whether physical therapy actually works, you are not alone. Many people in Boulder ask this after experiencing rushed visits or generic care that did not solve the real problem. At Mend Colorado, we see this question every day. The short answer is yes, physical therapy works when it is delivered with...
As we move towards the end of winter many Boulder cyclists are growing tired of the indoor hours on their bicycles. One of the benefits of the winter months for cyclists is the opportunity to introduce strength training into their work out programs. A 2 to 3 day a week, total body strengthening program not...
The benefits of proper hydration for human performance and recovery has long been established. Replacing fluid loss from metabolism, evaporation, and sweating can have a dramatic impact on performance in both team and endurance sports. As our workouts progress in duration and intensity our requirements for nutrition beyond water alone increase. Unfortunately, trying to train...
