Summer comes to an end and fall sports start up. High school sports are a big part of many teenagers’ life and the Pre-Participation Physical Examination (PPPE) is a necessary step to help ensure that youth athletes are healthy and can participate in their respective sport. The topic of this blog covers the first part of our discussion on the PPPE. As always, enjoy, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and share. This is important information for parents and their athletes, alike.
You don’t have to stop cycling, but you may need to seriously reduce the amount of time you’re spending on your bike…unless you want to be osteoporotic and sarcopenic. This affects everyone.
When we hear about bone (osteopenia/porosis) and muscle loss (sarcopenia), we tend to think about elderly frail people, not active and fit cyclists. The problem is that avid cyclists are EXTREMELY prone to both muscle and bone loss. It’s highly likely you need to do something about it before it becomes a serious health concern. The good thing is that a lot can be done before the damage is significant but the time to act is now. If you think this doesn’t apply to you, perhaps you are right if you cycle a couple days a week. However, if you cycling many days a week, your risk is greatly elevated. In other words, if you’re on your bike for around 20 hours a week, it’s time to get off and do something else.
Loss of bone quality is significant with cyclists. We can do a lot to prevent this.
How is it possible that such ‘fit’ and active people can get loss of muscle and quality of bone, regardless of age? After all, isn’t exercise good for us? Don’t we build stronger bones and more muscle with lots of activity? Isn’t cycling considered a good activity?
If you’re an athlete, it’s time to stop static stretching.
Static stretching is bad for you if you are about to play any sport. Surprised? Don’t be. Plenty of data is provided below. In spite of what has been incorrected pushed for decades at every level of sport, the research has shown for decades that static stretching leads to decreased performance and a greater likelihood of injury. So many injuries could be prevented if ‘warming up’ was performed properly, by everyone. Watch the video below and read the blog to learn more. Please also subscribe to our YouTube channel. Help us help you and those you care about!
There are many opinions out there about what to eat. We have individuals needs, medical conditions, lifestyles, etc. We have to respect all of this when we consider good nutrition. But, there is a simple fact that cuts through all of this…protein needs for athletes. At Don’t Be a Meathead, we follow the science. We know that we need to increase/maintain muscle weight and lower body fat and especially visceral fat. We want to maximize our health early and as we age. Most of us are in this for the long run.
If you want to stay lean and gain muscle, you need the proper amount of protein. Macros are important and if your numbers are not right, you are not going to look or feel great. In addition, your recovery and performance will be hindered.
So, you’re a runner and keep getting ankle sprains. You are a powerlifter and keep ‘pulling’ your hamstrings. You are recovering from shoulder surgery and you simply cannot get back to where you should be even though the surgeon tells you all is okay. Your knees are just not recovering from what was supposed to be a simple meniscus repair.
WHY can’t you get better? You feel better but things just aren’t working the way they should…well…here is the likely reason and you’ve never heard about it.
