Fit For Life: Missing that High? Why?
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Matt Espeut
Next time you see a real runner out there on the street – and no question the die-hards will be out there all winter long - look at the expression on their face - 90% of the time I see pain, agony, and misery, along with poor form and posture. I study movement patterns all day long by people watching and I notice symptoms such as knock knees, forward head tilt, excessive ankle pronation/supination, etc.
The most problematic issue with today’s runners is excessive heel strike. This is due to the excessive padding and elevated cushion heel in today’s high tech running shoes. By wearing this type of shoe you inhibit proprioception (your body’s sense of its own position, balance and movement). 70% of that feedback comes from pressure receptions, mostly located in the feet, resulting in reduced sensory feedback and therefore limits the quality of movement and core stability. Due to this and poor posture, 80% of runners suffers injury every year when they practice poor form. On a repetitive basis you compound dysfunction and probability of injury.
So my question is, “why do it when it hurts, and most are not very good at it”? And to top it off the people that are actually good at it with ease of stride and perfect form look thin and frail. Long steady bouts of this type of exercise actually down sizes your heart capacity making it economize its power so you can go longer. You never push your heart to utilize its reserve capacity, therefore never making it stronger only more efficient.
Take a winter break.
So take a break from all that running and ask yourself, “where am I going?” Am I really getting more fit? Strengthening my heart? Looking better? Feeling stronger? I suggest running sprints, or doing high intensity interval training. It's more fun, less chance for injury, and you will get in better shape. Look at a sprinter’s body if you don't believe me. They are aesthetically much more appealing than most marathoners or excessive runners. I am not telling people that love to run to stop, just follow my philosophy: if it hurts, stop doing it. Read up about running and the new ways we are learning about fitness. Come see me and let’s talk. Or better yet, look at some of the people at my gym – especially when they walk out – looking tired, and sweaty, but with a bounce in their step.
Related Slideshow: New England’s Healthiest States
The United Health Foundation recently released its 2013 annual reoprt: America's Health Rankings, which provides a comparative state by state analysis of several health measures to provide a comprehensive perspective of our nation's health issues. See how the New England states rank in the slides below.
Definitions
All Outcomes Rank: Outcomes represent what has already occurred, either through death, disease or missed days due to illness. In America's Health Rankings, outcomes include prevalence of diabetes, number of poor mental or physical health days in last 30 days, health disparity, infant mortality rate, cardiovascular death rate, cancer death rate and premature death. Outcomes account for 25% of the final ranking.
Determinants Rank: Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population. For clarity, determinants are divided into four groups: Behaviors, Community and Environment, Public and Health Policies, and Clinical Care. These four groups of measures influence the health outcomes of the population in a state, and improving these inputs will improve outcomes over time. Most measures are actually a combination of activities in all four groups.
Diabetes Rank: Based on percent of adults who responded yes to the question "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?" Does not include pre-diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy.
Smoking Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are current smokers (self-report smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke).
Obesity Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.
Source: http://www.americashealthrankings.org/
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