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Fitness is defined as “the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure time pursuits and to meet unforeseen emergencies.” Yet physical fitness means different things to a dancer, marathon runner, lumberjack, mailman, and weight lifter. It’s also a relative term, in that…
In the hustle and bustle of our demanding lives, stress and fatigue often become unwelcome companions. What if there was a simple and delightful way to combat these adversaries? Enter the humble nap, a powerful tool for rejuvenation and stress relief. Understanding the Science of Napping The Sleep Cycle Our sleep-wake cycle consists of various…
While it may seem like a waste of time to spend an entire third of your life in bed, sleep is absolutely fundamental to human health. If you have experienced the aftermath of a sleepless night, you can testify to the importance of quality sleep. What is Sleep? Sleep is broadly defined as a period…
Stress is a normal part of life, but it can become overwhelming and interfere with daily activities if not managed effectively. If you’re struggling with stress it is important to develop strategies for coping with it. Here are a few suggestions: Build a support network: Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family members can provide…
Body Mass Index – Defined and Charted In addition to knowing our weight and height, it is important to understand our Body Mass Index which is basically the relationship between a person’s height and weight. Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most accurate ways to determine when extra pounds translate into health risks…
The Study of Body Composition Scientists have been studying body composition since the beginning of the 20th century, but research has increased dramatically in the last 25 years as methods for measuring and analyzing the body have grown in accuracy. There is growing evidence that clearly links body composition with health risks and the development…
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Body Impedance Analysis, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, or BIA, is considered one of the most exact and accessible methods of screening body fat. In conventional BIA, a person is weighed, then height, age, gender and weight or other physical characteristics such as body type, physical activity level, ethnicity, etc. are entered in a…
Studies have consistently shown that people in high-strain jobs (that is, those at the bottom of the job ladder) have the highest rate of heart attacks, while those in active jobs have the lowest. Those in high-strain, low-echelon jobs also exhibited the highest levels of psychological stress (including depression and exhaustion), and they took the…
Know where you stand The average person grows up thinking about their weight, without taking into account their body fat percentage. Realizing your weight alone doesn’t distinguish whether the pounds come from fat or muscle. In order to assess your physical fitness level, you need to regularly monitor your body fat. Reducing body fat and…
Muscles and Joints – Preventing Aches and Pains Nearly everyone has experienced stresses and strains to those parts of the body responsible for movement: the bones and muscles; major joints like the knee and ankle; and the tendons and ligaments – the soft connective tissues that transmit movement among muscles and joints. Though sometimes referred…