What is the Optimal Temperature for Sleeping?

Q:

What is the optimal temperature for sleeping?  Does sleeping in cooler temperatures impact metabolism?

A: 

Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.  During the day, the body attempts to maintain this temperature.

As the body prepares for sleep, there is a mild drop in normal body temperature to help induce sleep and help keep us asleep.  Since the normal body temperature is lowered, a cooler room is advantageous for sleeping.

Recommending a specific range is difficult because of variation from person to person on what is deemed comfortable, but a typical temperature range is between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does sleeping in cooler temperatures impact metabolism?  Yes.  If, you slept in an uncomfortably cool room, the number of calories burned would be greater because your body is attempting to raise its body temperature to stay warm.

However, the goal should be to achieve restful and recuperating sleep and not burn additional calories.  A good night’s sleep is more important than burning a few extra calories in a disruptive night’s sleep.

The following website was used as a reference in answering the question:

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/cant-sleep-adjust-the-temperature

Fresh, Frozen or Canned Fruits and Vegetables?

Q:

Which is better:  Fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables?

A: 

Fruits and vegetables are good for you no matter what form they take.

Research has found little difference in the nutritional value of fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables.  Most frozen or canned produce is processed and packaged within hours of being harvested.  The quick turnaround allows the produce to maintain most of its nutritional value.  The same can’t always be said for fresh produce.  For example: strawberries picked in California, transported on a truck to MN, and finally put on display in the store.  How fresh are those strawberries?

Regardless of how they are packaged, it is important to consume fruit and vegetables everyday.  Here is some additional information to help you incorporate canned and frozen produce into daily meals:

•Concerned about Salt - Canned produce contributes only 1% of the salt in a consumer’s diet

•Reduce the Salt – Draining the canned produce will reduce the sodium content by 40%

•Avoid Sauces - Choose plain frozen vegetables vs. vegetables with butter, cream, or cheese sauces

•Minimal Preparation - Many canned or frozen vegetables just need to be heated and served.  No additional preparation is needed.

The following websites were used as a reference in answering the question:

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/5-facts-about-canned-foods

http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442451032

Optimal Sleeping Temperature

Q: 

What is the optimal temperature for sleeping?  Does sleeping in cooler temperatures impact metabolism?

A:  

Normal body temperature is 98.6 degrees.  During the day, the body attempts to maintain this temperature.

As the body prepares for sleep, there is a mild drop in normal body temperature to help induce sleep and help keep us asleep.  Since the normal body temperature is lowered, a cooler room is advantageous for sleeping.

Recommending a specific range is difficult because of variation from person to person on what is deemed comfortable, but a typical temperature range is between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does sleeping in cooler temperatures impact metabolism?  Yes.  If, you slept in an uncomfortably cool room, the number of calories burned would be greater because your body is attempting to raise its body temperature to stay warm.

However, the goal should be to achieve restful and recuperating sleep and not burn additional calories.  A good night’s sleep is more important than burning a few extra calories in a disruptive night’s sleep.

The following website was used as a reference in answering the question:

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/cant-sleep-adjust-the-temperature

How Often Shoud You Replace Your Athletic Shoes?

Q: Should I discard athletic shoes based on volume of use or time of purchase? A: Reviewing the recommendations of athletic shoe manufactures and walking/running enthusiast websites, the general recommendation is to replace your athletic shoes every 500 miles. The average U.S. adult takes about 5,900 steps daily (2.95 miles).  If athletic shoes were worn for all 5,900 steps, a new pair of shoes would be needed every six months.  Sedentary U.S. adults take about 2,000 to 3,000 (1 to 1.5 miles) steps a day, which would mean a new pair of shoes about every 12 months. There are a number of factors that will increase the rate of deterioration faster than six months to a year.  Here are a few: •Amount of walking actually occurring vs. the average example listed. •Running – Regular runners will need to replace shoes more frequently than every six months. •Surface – Walking/running on roads vs. off-road (grass). •Body weight – The more you weigh, the faster the shoe will breakdown. •Gate/foot strike – An unconventional gate or foot strike pattern may lead to uneven wear and shoe breakdown. Outside the normal wear and tear, shoes naturally age.  Certain things occur as soon as a new shoe leaves the assembly line: •Glue holding the shoe together starts breaking down. •Air pockets or other cushioning materials start to lose their spring. •Normal environmental elements will lead to shoe oxidation and breakdown while the shoe is in transit, storage, or sitting on the display shelf. To summarize, most athletic shoes used on a regular basis need to be replaced about every six months.  The best strategy is to purchase the current year  models to minimize deterioration not related to use.

The following websites were used as references in answering the question:

http://www.asics.co.uk/sports/running/preparation/changing-your-running-shoes-knowing-when-is-the-right-time

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/know_when_to_replace_athletic_shoes

http://www.livescience.com/43956-walking-10000-steps-healthy.html

Training to be Explosive- The Truth Revealed

  One of the most common arguments or sources of opposition on the part of athletes to high intensity training is the fact that the movements are slow and controlled. The question is asked: how can one develop explosiveness by training in a slow and controlled manner?

        Well, it’s quite simple really, when you consider the recruitment of muscle fibers during an exercise. Everyday, sub-maximal movements use one’s slow-twitch or type I muscle fibers. These are the fibers that are used at the beginning of an exercise before fatigue has been achieved. As you begin to fatigue during an exercise, your body naturally begins to recruit more and more muscle fibers. Once the type I fibers are fatigued, you begin to recruit your type II A and type II B muscle fibers, which are also known as your fast-twitch muscle fibers. This is how you can become more explosive even when training is slow and controlled. Even though the movements are slow, taking the muscle tissue to momentary muscle failure allows you to train your fast-twitch muscle fibers (Kenney, Wilmore, Costill, 42).

        When people believe that you have to move resistance quickly to become more explosive, they are thinking backwards. Most often when you move weight quickly, you are eliciting the help of momentum to move the resistance.  Therefore, your muscles don’t have to work as hard and you fail to bring your muscles to a deep-enough fatigue to effectively train your fast-twitch muscle fibers (Asanovich, Jacksonville Jaguars strength and conditioning manual). By training in a slow and controlled fashion, you are minimizing the use of momentum and training the targeted muscle at every point in the range of motion because there is constant tension on the muscle (Brzycki, 23).

        Finally, one of the common arguments of those in favor of ballistic movements is that training explosively will somehow carry over into explosive movements in your sport. However, there is absolutely no evidence of this in any literature in the field. Even though these movements are fast when compared to a slow and controlled lift, the movements are much slower than those actually used in a competitive sport (Brzycki, 23). Therefore, the movements couldn’t possibly transfer to one’s sport. The only way to become more explosive in your sport is to train your muscles in a way that causes them to gain strength and to practice the specific movements that you are going to be asked to perform in your sport (specificity of training) (Brzycki, 30).

        As you can see, the most effective way to become more explosive is by training your muscles in a slow and controlled manner and by practicing your sport-specific movements explosively. An explosive lift will not carry over to more explosive performance on the field.  If you would like to train your muscles in a safe and effective fashion, high intensity training is the way to go.

References

Asonovich, Mark. Jacksonville Jaguars Strength and Conditioning Program. 2006.
  

Bryzcki, Matt. A Practical Approach to Strength Training. 3 ed. Lincolnwood: Masters Press, 1995. Print.

Wilmore, Jack H., David L. Costill, and Larry W. Kenney. "Structure and Function of Exercising Muscle." Physiology of sport and exercise. 2nd ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2012. 27-47. Print.

Why Every Adult Should Strength Train

    For many adults, strength training seems like it can cause more harm than good. Typically, the general thought and portrayal of strength training is “weight lifting,” big scary guys smashing around heavy weights and screaming, causing many gym settings to be very intimidating. However, there is a distinct difference between strength training and weightlifting. Strength training is focused on safe and efficient training with an emphasis on technique and slow methodical movement of resistance.  Many questions are likely to arise when considering starting a strength training program.  Listed below is information regarding common questions and concerns to help you make the best decision possible for you and your health.

• I have constant aches and pains in my joints and muscles, and the extra strain would only make it worse.
• Low impact exercise is a great way to reduce joint pain. Along with strength training other examples include: swimming, biking, and walking. Strength training is particularly effective because not only are you reducing impact on your joints, but also you are stimulating the growth and strengthening of the muscles and other surrounding tissues that provide strength and support to the joints. The final benefit exercise has for joints and muscle tissue is it stimulates blood flow to the muscles and joints being exercised, providing oxygen rich blood to support the healing processes of the body.
• Isn’t cardio training enough?
• Contrary to popular belief strength training can be more effective for fat reduction than cardiovascular training (running, walking etc.). The common misconception is that strength training is a way to gain weight and running or walking is a way to lose weight.  According to a study by the MacArthur Foundation, strength training increases your metabolism. As we increase the amount of muscle tissue in our body we burn more calories at rest, which is where we burn 60-75% of our daily calories.
• Strength training increases other body functions, not just muscular strength.
• According to a 2004 study conducted by Men’s Health, “Strength training also helps your body make better use of the sugar in your bloodstream and the stored glucose in your muscles- all of which slashes your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.”
• Every time you strength train you create microscopic tears in the muscle tissue, over the next 48-72 hours the muscle tissue repairs itself and results in increased lean muscle.  In Dr. Covert Bailey’s book Smart Exercise, he discusses the ways in which increased lean body tissues contribute directly to fat reduction.  “This increase in lean body tissue raises your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). BMR is the total amount of calories your body burns at rest in a day. Higher BMR means more calories burned, and more calories burned means more fat lost.”

    These are just a few reasons that strength training is a great way to not only improve strength but also your overall quality of life.  The links listed below provide credible information on high intensity training and strength training.

   

• http://arthurjonesexercise.com/Bulletin1/Bulletin1.html
• http://arthurjonesexercise.com/Bulletin2/Bulletin2.html
• http://baye.com/high-intensity-training-blog/

Bailey, C. (1994). Smart exercise: burning fat, getting fit. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Westcott, W. (1995, January 1). 12 Reasons Every Adult Should Strength Train. Nautilus, Summer Issue, 36-37.

White, J. (2004, April 1). What Else Can Weightlifting Do?. Men's Fitness , 20.

Make Your Day Matter!

Strength Training for Flexibility

When it comes to flexibility, there are several misconceptions that are spread around by well-meaning athletes and fitness enthusiasts. In order to improve flexibility and ultimately health, one must consider scientific research that is available as well as utilize a basic understanding of exercise physiology to make logical decisions. Many people consider flexibility and stretching to be synonymous to each other. The truth is that stretching is not the only way to improve flexibility and it may not always be an effective way to improve flexibility.

Holt et al. defined flexibility as “an intrinsic property of body tissues that determines range of motion achievable without injury at a joint or group of joints,” (1996). Static and/or dynamic stretching, when performed appropriately, may be an effective way to improve range of motion or flexibility. However, strength training through a full range of motion has also shown to improve flexibility. James Whitehead, EdD, of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks conducted a study wherein college-age volunteers participated in either strength training or stretching regimens for five weeks. Results suggested that full-range strength training regimens can increase flexibility as well, or perhaps better than, typical stretching regimens (2010). The concept of people participating in strength training becoming “muscle-bound” is outdated and incorrect. Furthermore, Santos et al. (2010) concluded sedentary women were able to significantly increase their flexibility from baseline after eight weeks of strength training. In addition, Fatouros et al. concluded that inactive men between the ages of 65-78 years were able to significantly increase their range of motion through strength training (2006).

A review of scientific literature conducted by Thacker et al. (1996) concluded that no sufficient evidence exists to either endorse or discontinue routine stretching before or after exercise. Perhaps the biggest mistake made when stretching (which almost makes the activity unadvisable) is to stretch to the point of pain. When tiny intrinsic fibers inside of muscle spindles are stretched too hard and too fast, they automatically send a signal to the spinal cord, which relays a signal to larger extrinsic fibers to contract. This is known as the Stretch Reflex. What does this mean? When we stretch our muscles to the point of pain, that muscle is automatically contracted (shortened), giving the opposite effect of the initial objective. Some guidelines can be found through the link below:

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/how-to-stretch

            Anyone who wants to improve flexibility may be most effective in doing so by strength training slowly and under control through a full range of motion. Fast, ballistic movements risk initiating the Stretch Reflex and can decrease flexibility. Anyone still wishing to participate in traditional stretching movements would be wise to do so to the point of tension but not pain, and to perform stretches after exercise. This can be a great way to relax the muscles after vigorous activity, which can reduce blood pooling and have a calming effect on the mental and emotional state of the exerciser.

Fatouros, I.G., Kambas, A., Katrabasas, I, Leontsini, D., Chatzinikolaou, A., Jamurtas, A.Z., Douroudos, I., Aggelousis, N., Taxildaris, K. (2006). Resistance training and detraining effects on flexibility performance in the elderly are intensity-dependent. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 20, 3, Retrieved July 8, 2014, from http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/abstract/2006/08000/resistance_training_and_detraining_effects_on.27.aspx

 

Holt, J., Holt, L.E., Pelham, T.W. (1996). Flexibility redefined. Biomechanics in Sport, 13, 170-175

Santos, E., Rhea, M.R., Simao, R., Dias, I., De Salles, B.F., Noveas, J., Leite, T., Blair, J.C., Bunker, D.J. (2010). Influence of moderately intense strength training on flexibility in sedentary young women. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 24,11, 3144-3149

Thacker, S.B., Gilchrist, J., Stroup, D.F., Kimsey, C.D. (2004). The impact of stretching on sports injury risk: a systematic review of literature. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 36, 3, 371-378

Whitehead, J.R. (2010). Resistance training improves flexibility, too. WebMD Health News, Retreved July 8, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20100604/resistance-training-improves-flexibility-too