The difference between walking, jogging and running hinges on two very specific, related things: energy cost and muscle load. Basically walking, jogging and running are ways we transport our body from one place to another, under our own muscle power. While walking is fairly easy to distinguish from the other two, there is a lot…
We all know that exercise is beneficial for the brain, helping increase oxygen levels, blood volume, IQ points and better connections between its different segments through a process known as neurogenesis. It now appears to also help improve memory and learning by increasing the size of the part of the brain associated with them: the…
The explosive speed of Usain Bolt and the jumping ability of Michael Jordan are the stuff of legend. One is the fastest man in the world and the other has the highest vertical jump in NBA history, measured at 46 inches. Both men work at their skill, which means that if we can understand the…
Running for most people comes down to speed or length of time. Sprinters just want to go faster while anyone who runs for more than a kilometer wants to be able to do it for as long as possible. From a bio-physiological point of view running appears extremely complex. Upper body strength, lower limb length,…
Sunny days invite running. The mental image of warm weather, sunny environments and a cooling breeze as we run is hard to resist, even if the reality most of us face is somewhat different. Running in the sun however is a challenge. The skin heats up faster. We start to sweat sooner and we very…
There are some things in fitness that are counterintuitive and because of that they don’t become immediately obvious until they’re explained. The way we use our arms and legs is one of them. Now, usually, we train our arms by doing push-ups or by lifting, and we train our legs through squats and jumps and…
Those of you who actively use micro-workouts to maintain your fitness, already understand that incremental improvements require more structure but less energy to achieve and still deliver the fitness results you are looking for. The ‘catch’ in the approach is time. While your body and mind respond to the pressure being applied the adaptations take…
