Health
Archive
Our genetic profile only tells one piece of the story, but that hasn't prevented scientists from making some bold assumptions about human performance.
That magic threshold is, well, bogus. And we've known it for years. So why are we still so obsessed with logging 10,000 hours of deliberate practice?
New research and recovery techniques suggest we have more time to restore cognitive abilities after a traumatic brain injury than doctors previously thought.
Ordinary items to get you extraordinarily fit.
Bet you didn’t think this would come up in your fitness regimen, but your esophagus needs love during training, too. Intense exercise can contribute to heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), and there’s a good chance that ramping up your routine may be causing your symptoms, says…
The “Picnic,” or the Grand Teton Triathlon, is one of the most unique endurance challenges out there. The brainchild of a local writer and photographer, the Picnic involves biking from Jackson’s town square to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park, swimming across the lake, climbing the…
How do we put this nicely? If you’re anything like the participants in a recent Canadian study, you’re probably wrong about your workout intensity. (And yes, you probably are like them, considering that the group contained both men and women of different ages, ethnicities, and BMI classes.)…
Endurance coach and author Ben Greenfield guarantees your brain, guts, and groin will thank you
What’s one thing college kids and health nuts apparently have in common? Butt chugging. And a total lack of common sense.
We know— it’s hard to pass up the breadbasket, especially if you know you’re going to burn off all those empty calories. And while athletes need carbs—and have a bit more leeway in the unhealthy foods department—it’s prudent not to make white bread a regular staple in…
Think of those tough spots as badges of honor! “Callus formation is a natural response to friction and pressure,” says podiatrist Megan Leahy of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute. “Because runners obviously take more steps than non-runners, calluses may occur more readily.” Calluses can be harmless,…
Studies and experts suggest that nasal strips like Breathe Right don’t improve athletic performance in adults in any measure—no improved VO2 max, ventilation, maximal work rate, lactate threshold, or lowered ratings of perceived exertion. And it appears the same goes for horses. “Equine nasal…
After 100 races he just keeps going and going
Climbers typically have little understanding of basic training principles. And changing that will unleash a whole new breed of alpine expert.
A diverse diet doesn't necessarily mean a healthy diversity in intestinal bacteria. In fact, it may mean just the opposite.
If you’re the type of person who regularly burns the midnight oil, the thought of waking up for a 6 a.m. workout may be pretty unappealing to you. And you’re not alone: A study presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies’ annual meeting last week reported that…
This may not be the answer you’re looking for, but it’s the truth: The most effective way to get back into shape (and stay that way) isn’t by just doing one magic move over and over. The good news? You may not have to work out more than or…
The multisport athlete wins at the GoPro Mountain Games for the eighth consecutive year
When Matthew Inman shared his running motivation with the Internet, the creator of popular webcomic The Oatmeal started a fitness sensation.
Why Clint Dempsey is the perfect player to shoulder Team USA's daunting World Cup campaign
On a sprawling farm in Vermont, Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena runs a business and a fitness crusade. He'll train anyone who shows up, with one major caveat: You must submit to his every cruel and unusual whim.
In a desperate measure to burn surfeit calories, men and women have rushed to stuff their jiggly bits into resistance pants. But can clothing really make a workout any better?
Think breakfast helps kick-start metabolism and boosts weight loss? These are widely believed myths not supported by evidence, scientists say. But breakfast does deserve high marks for increasing physical activity.
Depending on the school of thought you’re following, meditation can be practiced in a number of ways—sitting cross-legged in a dark room, while on a long run, or even on a crowded bus with the help of a smartphone app and a pair of headphones. In general, though,…
Some good foods contains natural SPF—and you should be eating more of them
A "#fitness" selfie now qualifies as a training tool. Go ahead and be vain. (You probably think this story's about you, don't you?)
Vitamin B12 shots have been around for years, and they’re often marketed as a miracle cure for everything from fatigue to depression to those stubborn extra pounds you can’t shake. And while it’s true that a B12 deficiency can contribute to those things, there is…
In an age of whiz-bang techno-training, it’s way too easy to lose track of what made us fit in the first place: quality movement, good food, and high-intensity common sense.
Some full-grown athletes are turning to breast milk—yeah, you heard us—for an energy boost and protein push. If you're thinking there's something wrong with that, you're right.
What do you get when you cross three former Navy SEALs, an attorney, degrees from Harvard’s business and Kennedy schools, and passion for the mountains? A brand new breed of eco-friendly obstacle race.
New Healthkit app displays live fitness data, connects doctors and patients in real-time
Every year, the American College of Sports Medicine releases its fitness index. But what does the project do besides give a city bragging rights?
If your everyday routine includes hour-plus sweat sessions, you can probably rest easy, says Brook Schantz, a registered dietitian and Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics at Loyola University Medical Center; there’s a good chance your body needs more than the Recommended Daily Allowance of 2,300 milligrams of…
An inside look at how professional climber Angie Payne trains for big time bouldering competitions. She's placed 11th at the Toronto World Cup, and is slated to compete at the GoPro Mountain Games World Cup in Vail. …
A new report details the factors behind our surprising speedskating failure in this year's Olympics—and any athlete can learn from its findings.
Athletes may win in the medal count, but they lose when it comes to dental hygiene. And this is more than a laughing manner.
It's not just mental. Even mild amounts of anxiety and stress can subvert your performance.
What you can do beforehand, at sea level and once you hit the mountains
They say that showing up (or, in this case, putting it in writing) is half the battle—so for that, congrats on a big first step. Now, for your question: Science says that at 40 you are definitely not too old to benefit from a regular exercise routine. Great news, right?…
The fitness giant works hard to polish their public image—to the extent of confronting or even suing those who criticize CrossFit on social media. What gives?
You’ve been told that gluten-free diets are a fraud, that the science is settled, and that it’s all just the placebo effect. If so, how can the anecdotes be explained? Enter FODMAPs, the underappreciated forms of sugar that may just underpin your wheat, rye, and barley intolerance—and unlock your fitness potential.
Europe banned chemical-covered produce; should we follow suit?
There's no denying the popularity of CrossFit. And there's also no ignoring its TV potential. Enter the NPFL: In a bid to monetize functional fitness, an ex-CrossFit exec has a bold, new plan to attract sponsors and fans. Just don't call him a sellout.
For years, I used to test how far I could go on day trips without eating. I don’t know if it was some unexplainable machismo or just laziness, but that mindset changed about six months ago. I’d gone on a four-hour run with an empty stomach and no food in…
The hit documentary Fed Up is the latest in a litany of articles and documentaries to portray sugar as dietary villain number one. But what if sugar isn't the enemy—and by focusing on its effects, we've ignored the biggest causes of our health crisis and even subverted athletic performance?
How much, what kind, and when? Time to question (only some of) what you know about fueling up.
Shane Niemeyer started exercising in prison after hitting rock-bottom. We talked to him about his path to become a regular Ironman competitor who's now gunning for a spot at the World Championships in Kona.
Harvard and MIT researchers did recently publish a study that found exposure to silver nanoparticles, found in clothing, toothpaste, toys and other products, can cause substantial DNA damage. But before I get to your main question, let’s look at why that news might’ve frightened you. A nanoparticle…
Two-time World's Toughest Mudder champ Junyong Pak, 36, on mastering the mud
A favorite beverage of many athletes, trainers, and nutritionists, juice made from tart or “sour” cherries (the kind you use to make cherry pie) has been shown to reduce inflammation and ease muscles soreness after strenuous workouts. But that’s not the only reason you might want to…
You train to race outside. We get it. But to go your fastest—and stay your healthiest—you might just need to enter the gym.
When it comes to performance anxiety, fitness competitions can be a lot like taking the SATs or giving an important speech. And yes, over-thinking or stressing about them beforehand can, indeed, cause you to “choke,” according to a study presented last week at the British Psychological Society’s…
For years, an underground movement has claimed that the very food we eat—by virtue of the pesticides and herbicides we so commonly use—is poisoning us. Until now, they’ve been (at best) ignored and (more often than not) mocked. Suddenly though, it looks like the joke has been on us all along.
It's exploded in popularity recently, and it's not going anywhere. But can OCR make it to the Olympics?
It's never too late to start training, just keep at it
New high-profile brand ambassador, new CEO, new product—now, Nuun has its sights set on hydrating society.
Study finds correlation between lack of exercise and deficient long-term memory.
That depends how many fish sandwiches you’re eating, says sports nutritionist Lisa Dorfman, RD, CSSD. But aside from mercury levels and other contaminants, there are plenty of other reasons to choose something other than fast-food seafood when you’re out and about. First, the good news: Fast-food sandwiches…
The stopwatch is a big part of CrossFit and other “functional fitness” circuit-training programs: Timed workouts (and WODs, in CrossFit speak) allow athletes to measure their performance against fellow gym-members and their own previous sets. But there’s a time and place for the stopwatch, most experts say, and it’s not…
Outside catches up with the author of Diet Cults to parse the culture of nutritional fads, from the (misplaced?) logic behind the Paleo Diet to the emerging sugary sports drink controversy.
It’s not necessarily the facility that counts when you’re waking up at ungodly hours of the morning to clean and jerk—it’s the quality of the instructors, and the camaraderie of the friends who join you there. In fact, each CrossFit gym is supposed to be uniquely inviting, whether it's…
Microbes in your stomach support the multi-billion-dollar probiotics industry, your workout, and possibly even your sex drive.
The ideal pre-race meal is high in carbohydrate, relatively low in other nutrients, and easy on the stomach. Our top choices? Racing Weight’s Greena Colada Smoothie and Oat Bran with Cherries and Almonds. Watch and see how to make this delicious pre-workout meal. …
"As Seen On TV" equipment may not get you any results—as we've said all along.
You fall, hit your head, and suffer a concussion. How long will it take to recover? It depends.
In his new book, Spartan Race founder Joe De Sena spells out his recipe for success. The main ingredient? Pain.
Does Walmart's new organic foods venture pose a threat to Whole Foods?
It's counterintuitive, but when you're training hard, not eating can lead to piling on the pounds.
Former pro speed skater Apolo Ohno is ready for a new challenge. Here he offers his advice for other aspiring distance athletes.
It seems like every few months, new research comes out heralding a certain type of protein for people trying to build muscle or lose weight. For example, a study published this month found that whey protein provided “body composition benefits” when used in conjunction with resistance exercise.
Pairing your running with explosive, maximal strength training primes your muscles for peak running performance. Think loaded squats—not bodyweight circuits—when it comes to improving race times.