Fitness

Recently Answered

  • QWhat is the formula for the target heart rate for a man when exercising?
    3 Answers
    A
    Baptist Health South Florida
    A answered
    The formula for men is 220 minus age. For example, for men age 50, this gives a maximum heartbeat of 170.
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  • QWhat are the dangers of using a weight belt?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    Lifters with heart disease and blood pressure problems should exercise caution when wearing a tight belt for long periods of time because it can elevate blood pressure.  Constantly wearing a belt can also cause decreased strength development in abdominal muscles because your spinal extensors are not required to work as hard to stabilize the body.
  • QWhat type of accessories are commonly used while working out?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered

    Exercise accessories are one way to make exercise fun. While they are not necessary, they can enhance your workout by adding comfort. Useful accessories for working out include some form of a music device such as an MP3 player and an arm band to hold your music device. Listening to your favorite music can help you focus during a training session as well as provide you with additional motivation. You can also bring a pair of workout gloves and use them when training with steel dumbbells or barbells to avoid calloused hands. A water bottle will ensure that you stay hydrated. As a sanitary precaution, it is often a common courtesy to bring a workout towel to the gym, and some gyms will require this.

  • QWhy is wearing a mouth guard so important?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    Research has shown that mouth guards definitely help prevent fractured jaws and teeth, severe cuts to the cheek and tongue, and traumatic damage to the roots and bone that hold teeth in place. Mouth guards are designed to help cushion the mouth, teeth and jaw, preventing significant damage where sports injuries are most prevalent. While mouth guards are not required equipment in many sports, wearing one is an important precaution for athletes of any age and ability.
  • QBesides helmets, what protective gear can be used when roller-skating?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    When roller skating or roller blading besides a helmet you can utilize wrist guards, and knee pads to help further reduce the risk of injury.  Wrist guards will protect against a broken wrist or arm if you fall, and knee pads will help prevent skinned or damaged knees.
  • QWhat exactly does a weight belt do?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    The original concept of a weight belt was to be used as a protective measure for the body when lifting extremely heavy weights.  They are designed to protect your back from hyper extending by pushing in your core muscles and allowing them to work efficiently throughout a movement.  This idea has been under constant scrutiny as some experts suggest that weight belts only work when lifting with faulty mechanics and may actually allow for the muscles of the core to become weaker becasue they are not needed to work as hard to stabilize the spine.
  • QWhat do the different color lenses on sunglasses do?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    Color tinted lenses can help make certain colors "pop" by heightening the color of the ball or playing object against the sky or playing surface. Sport companies such as Nike have specialty lenses and complete descriptions of recommended use.
  • QWhich sunglasses are best for outdoor sports?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    For outdoor sports, definitely look for a polarized lens. These lenses reduce glare so athletes can see the ball and their environment better. If you play under stadium lighting, lenses with an anti-reflective coating may also be beneficial.
  • QAre weight lifting belts bad for your back?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    According to experts, if you've never injured your back, wearing a belt adds no safety.  He continues to say that if you were to get injured while wearing a belt, the injury is often more severe than had you not been wearing the belt.  Weight belts are most effective when lifting with bad technique as they serve as a physical and psychological reminder of proper technique and to use proper core stabilization when lifting.
  • QAre monitors with a chest strap more accurate than wrist only devices?
    1 Answer
    A
    National Academy of Sports Medicine
    A answered
    Typically, heart rate monitors with chest straps tend to be the most ECG (electrocardiogram measures heart rate and rhythm) accurate. Serious exercisers should choose a heart rate monitor with a chest strap. However, chest straps may be uncomfortable for some people, and there are wrist only devices available that may be fairly accurate.