Bone density refers to how much bone minerals, including calcium and other minerals, are held within the bone. Healthy bones are dense, and so they contain a high amount of mineral content. As we age, it’s critical that we maintain an increased bone density so that we can avoid life-limiting bone breaks.

If you have mainly been sedentary for most of your life or have not engaged in physical activity of any kind for quite some time, your first stop is your  health care professional.  Take the time to make an appointment with your MD to discuss your fitness goals with them thoroughly and mindfully. Failing to do so may place you at significant risk for a health emergency.

Metabolic syndrome is primarily caused by lifestyle, more specifically, a lifestyle that does not include regular activity and healthy eating. Further, our risk of developing metabolic syndrome increases as we age, or if our family history includes members that have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In addition, if you have already been diagnosed with liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, sleep apnea, or if you are of Hispanic descent, your risk of developing metabolic disease is also increased.

Many confuse osteopenia and osteoporosis, and while both are bone diseases and linked, they have some differences. Think of osteopenia as on the continuum between having strong, healthy bones and having weakened and easily fractured osteoporotic bones. A bone density test will show whether your bones are solid and robust, or are now weakened by osteopenia, or if your bone loss is so advanced, you now have osteoporosis. Bone density testing is painless and much like an x-ray. This test measures the calcium and other minerals in bones; the examination will reveal if you have osteopenia.

There can be an absolute dread of going back to a gym that you have been absent from for any period of time. We all fear the looks of judgment from the other gym regulars, along with the lapsed membership, the unknowns of what has changed in our absence, and the knowledge that our fitness has declined during our break.

A hamstring injury can range from being very mild to severe, and they are one of the most common types of sports injuries. Understanding this critical muscle group will help you respond better when things go awry. Quick recognition and treatment will aid in your recovery and hopefully get you back in action sooner!

Being active with little ones can be beneficial for them too; children also need regular, daily physical activity. Also, by getting your toddlers active, you have the opportunity to develop their gross motor skills, a critical developmental focal point. This is a great age to introduce them to fundamental sport skills, such as catching and throwing a ball, sidestepping, jumping, and kicking. Other skills developed by active gameplay are sportsmanship, taking turns, and fair play.

ONGOING PROMOTION

While it can be challenging to prevent a stitch, there are many helpful tips and tricks available. You may need to experiment with these different methods to determine what will work best for you; to start with, try the many preventative strategies!

Many of us have experienced group or team sport at one point in our lives, either at an informal ‘just for fun’ level or at an ultra-competitive elite level. Perhaps you have never had the opportunity or interest to join a team. Whatever the case, the benefits of being involved in team sport are numerous.

Paddleboarding is a great sport that can be done on almost any open water, and the very brave are even venturing out onto rivers with their paddleboards! River paddleboarding requires an expert guide and extensive personal skills, but most lake and oceanfront paddleboarding is accessible. Be sure to learn how to swim first, and always wear a life jacket!