October 31, 2008

Why Cadmus from Somalia Goes on Holiday to Chamonix Village

Filed under: Better Travel, The Leisure Center — admin @ 9:30 am

Chamonix Haute Savoie is a one of a kind place with the towering Mont Blanc and majestic glaciers. Everyone love to go bouldering or from time to time visiting the Aiguille du Midi. I invariably fly from Princeton and stay at a Chamonix lodge for the duration of my stay.

My friends and I used to visited Siam City Hotel Bangkok unfortunately it never matched its its advert: With charming Thai hospitality and modern facilities, Siam City Hotel enjoys a location in one of Bangkok’s most prestigious locations. It is approximately 22 miles from the Bangkok International Airport. On-site dining includes five restaurants and two bars. Guests are also encouraged to enjoy the outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, massage rooms, and fitness center. The hotel also feature 24-hour check-in/out and express check-in/out, babysitting, 24-hour room service, concierge, laundry, dry cleaning, ironing service, butler and valet service, babysitting, medical facilities, and nightly turndown. Located in Bangkok’s fashionable Siam region, the Siam City Hotel is less than a mile from BTS Skytrain Station, Mahboonkrong-Siam Square Shopping, Suan Pakkard Palace Museum, The Marble Temple, and Victory Monument. Within three miles are Chao Phraya River, Dusit Zoo, Grand Palace (and Emerald Buddha), Jim Thompson’s Thai House, Patpong Road Night Market, and the Weekend Market at Jatujak. It was oversold and often a let down so after several visits we gave up on the place.

In comparison in Chamonix France the self catered chalet is invariably excellent. Even dining in my families’ favorite restaurant, Boat Dock Seafood & Oyster Bar, munching kung pao chicken is a delight. Chamonix is a large enough place to guarantee that there is plenty for the snowboarder to do. With a beauty salon and a plethora of night-clubs, Chamonix offers a combination of climbing, French alpine charm and sightseeing which barely any French ski resorts can hope to rival.

October 30, 2008

Bodybuilding Nutrition and Balance

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 6:23 pm

Many inexperienced (sometimes even experienced!) gym regulars believe that muscles grow while lifting weights. However lifting weights forms only a small fraction of the muscle building process. Muscle development takes place at night during deep sleep when the body synthesizes new cells with nutrients from our diet. Therefore nutrition forms a very important part of a bodybuilding program.

The body utilizes nutrients in food to perform daily metabolic and what’s commonly referred to as the “wear and tear processes”. With bodybuilding, additional strain is put on the body to make new muscle tissues. Therefore the nutrient requirements also shoots up to stay with the demand.

The best bodybuilding nutrition comes from a balanced intake of carbohydrates, adequate protein, vitamins, minerals, fats and large amounts of water. So if you are serious about getting lean and ripped it’s time to say goodbye to mayo burgers, colas and other synthetic foods. Adopt eating habits imbibing fruits, whole grains, milk, eggs and fresh farm products.

How much protein do you need?

Your growing muscles need amino acids to create new tissues. The amino acids are provided by protein in diet. There is a lot of debate on the exact quantity of protein required in bodybuilding. The caution to maintain is that extreme amounts of protein in the diet can cause gastric and renal complications. Recent studies have suggested that a protein intake of 1 to 1.4 grams per unit of body weight is adequate to sustain the bodybuilding process. This means that the protein requirement of a 70 kg individual should be around 70 to 98 grams. To give an estimate of the amount involved consider the following: A 100 gm chicken breast has 22 grams of protein, a glass of milk has 8 grams,an egg approximately 5 grams and a slice bread 3 grams.

A word of caution against the tide of bodybuilding supplements in markets. Many times you come across advertisements proclaiming, ‘Gain 20 pounds of muscle in 3 months flat!’. Stay clear of these money hungry advertisers. Building lean muscle takes time and effort. Making use of synthetic products which alter body’s natural mechanism would offset what should be your real purpose in bodybuilding which is to keep the body fit and healthy.

Lastly in bodybuilding it’s not, ‘the more the better’. Rather it is ‘the more precise the better’. Don’t over exert, eat balanced food and include plenty of rest. With everything good in life, patience, commitment, and balance will guarantee your success. With these tips in mind you are all set to pump iron!

Boyd Adams helps bodybuilders develop themselves physically and mentally while keeping a healthy and balanced life. Visit the Bodybuilding Zone for more helpful tips and encouragment.

Gum Disease - Types and Stages

Filed under: Hair + Skin Care, Improving Your Health — admin @ 3:09 pm

There are two types of gum disease, or periodontal (”around the tooth”) disease. They are, however really two stages of the same disease process. Advanced periodontitis can also take several different forms.

The most common cause of gum disease is a lack of proper dental and oral hygiene. Bits of food left behind after eating provide ready nourishment for destructive bacteria, which in turn cause the build-up of plaque, or tartar. The body’s own immune system then goes into action against this bacteria, causing inflammation, and ultimately, the destruction of gum and bone tissue around the tooth.

The mildest form of gum disease is called gingivitis. It is marked by red, irritated gums that bleed easily, particularly during tooth brushing. The patient at this stage feels little, if any pain or discomfort; in fact, it is estimated that perhaps 45% of all U.S. Americans suffer from gingivitis and are not aware of it.

Untreated, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis proper. By this stage, the plaque has spread below the gum line. The bacteria that produces the plaque and lives within it also produces toxic biochemicals that cause irritation of the gum tissues. It is at this point that the body’s own defenses go into action in an attempt to kill off the bacterial (this is actually true of any kind of inflammation). Unfortunately, once this microbial army is unleashed, it causes a great deal of “collateral damage,” destroying the gum tissue and even the underlying bone.

The result is that teeth begin to loosen, and ultimately will fall out. Again, the danger is that periodontitis has very few outward symptoms.

Most patients who have periodontitis suffer from the chronic form. In this form of gum disease, the gums recede and become detached from the surface of the teeth. This is turn causes the formation of pockets, in which the destructive bacteria can thrive. In addition to inflammation, there can be the formation of pus, which is a byproduct of virtually all types of bacterial infections.

While in most cases, such gum disease is the result of inadequate dental hygiene, this is not always the case. In a fair number of cases, periodontitis is actually a symptom of a more serious condition; it can indicate heart disease and the onset of Type II diabetes as well as problems with the respiratory system. Sometimes, it is the manifestation of HIV, or even malnutrition; one of the symptoms of scurvy is bleeding gums. Fortunately, this latter condition is easily cured by increasing one’s consumption of citrus and other foods rich in Vitamin C.

October 29, 2008

B&B Corso 22 in Rome

Filed under: Better Travel, Regional And More — admin @ 5:48 pm

The apartment, refurbished in january 2007, has three rooms with private bathroom.
Located in Via del Corso, one of the most exclusive streets of Rome’s historical centre, “Corso22” Bed & Breakfast is only 100 meters away from the famous Piazza del Popolo and from Villa Borghese gardens, the green heart of the city centre.
“Corso22” is also few steps away from the most important and visited historical, artistic and cultural sites of the “eternal city”.
Thanks to its privileged position “Corso22” B&B can be easily reached from Fiumicino international airport and from the train stations using public transportation such as the Underground A (Via del Corso is between Flaminio and Spagna stations), Bus number 490 and 495 and surface train number 2. Taxi parking is also very close to the B&B.
Pharmacies, banks (money exchange is next to the B&B main entrance), bars, restaurants and the huge central shopping area, contribute to make our guests feel comfortable and relaxed.

If you think that B&B Corso 22 is not exactly what you are looking for, click here to visit our catalogue and a run a search for Apartments in Rome, or make a search for a luxury hotel in Rome, or make a reservation for a Rome tour.

Legal Steroids - Another Alternative - Natural Body Building

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 9:14 am

For competitive body builders to build bigger muscles faster is a constant temptation but for the average non competitive body builder there is another natural option - natural body building. True it is a much slower process but the long term gains far outweigh the adverse affects that even legal steroids may have on your body over an extended period of time.

Steroids are usually used for a short duration of say 6-8 weeks with a substantial period of time elapsing before starting on the next course of steroids. It is not recommended that anyone take steroids on a continuous basis. This on and off program tends to produce short term spikes in muscle mass and muscle strength.

The advantage of natural body building is a slower but steadier increase in muscle mass rather than the peaks and lows of those on steroids. I am sure many of you have seen or heard of the affects on a body builder who stops using steroids - Rapid loss of muscle bulk and strength. The affects of steroids are fairly short lived and can result in some dramatic changes to both physique and health of a body builder.

Natural body building results in a steadier and more constant performance rather than the often times spectacular ups and downs of steroid induced muscle bulk and strength performance.

When you achieve top results as a natural body builder you will be able to maintain your muscle bulk and strength for as long as you continue intense training without adverse affects on your general health.

You will not experience any dramatic muscle wasting that is many times seen in body builders when they stop using steroids. Loss of muscle bulk and strength are two of the most dreaded words for body builders. Natural body building will help most to avoid these pitfalls.

So why do people use steroids? Most of us are impatient creatures and want instant results so the steroid alternative is very attractive. Probably one of the most important factors that affect a person’s decision to use steroids or go the natural way is what is their reason for body building - is it just to look and feel better or are they in it for the competition.

So it is your call - you decide whether using legal steroids will benefit you and your objectives.

Or play it safe and go for the healthier, steadier natural body building program that will have longer term benefits for a healthier lifestyle - Its your choice.

Beth Black is webmaster for Keyword Articles a resource that lists groups of keyword targeted articles and also lists unique articles published by the webmaster. http://www.keyword-articles.info

Steroids Stacking!

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 8:10 am

Bodybuilders have always had a reputation for taking things to the extreme. It probably started with protein supplements in the 1950’s. Once word started circulating that extra protein could help them build more muscle mass, certain individuals simply upped their intakes. One shake a day was replaced by two, and two became four, etc. The old adage that “if some is good, more is better”, was definitely alive and well on California’s Muscle Beach.

The practice of “taking more than the next guy” followed bodybuilders into the 1960’s as steroids became available. Small dosages of one steroid became megadoses. As soon as new steroids were invented, bodybuilders simply added them to their cycles. The practice of taking two or more drugs at the same time is called steroids stacking.

Why Stack?

The primary reason is effectiveness. Taking more than one drug at a time often produces what’s called a synergistic effect. This means that each drug magnifies the other’s effects. Instead of two steroids producing 10 new pounds of muscle each (20 pounds total) they may produce 30 or 40 pounds when taken together. Some bodybuilding drugs like growth hormone don’t seem to be that potent on their own but when combined with steroids the results are nothing short of outstanding. Bodybuilders, who have plateaued at 230-240 pounds, routinely go up to 260 or 270 pounds when they add growth hormone to their cycles.

A second reason for steroids stacking is tied into passing drug tests. Different steroids have different clearance times in the body. Injectables, particularly the ester-based versions, may linger in the body for nearly two years after their last usage. Orals on the other hand may clear out of the body in a few weeks. Bodybuilders and other athletes in sports with drugs tests work with this by stacking the different types of steroids together. They’ll use higher dosages of injectables initially and then decrease their dosage while increasing the dosage of orals. This way they can maintain their muscle size and strength while standing a better chance of passing a drug test.

So why not stack?

Stacking steroids is not recommended for a number of reasons. With each steroid that is added to the body, the liver has to work harder to metabolize it and remove it from your body. This is why heavy alcohol users often develop cirrhosis of the liver. Their livers literally burn out from having to process all that extra drug (yes alcohol is a drug!). Heavy steroid use is no different. It will damage your liver over time.

Ironically the primary benefit of steroids stacking is also its chief disadvantage. While stacking will produce greater gains than possible with just one drug, most bodybuilders will become addicted to the practice. Who wants to go back to benching 225 pounds when they’ve become accustomed to hoisting 300 or 400 pounds? Not many we assure you. So they stay on heavy stacks and greatly increase their odds of developing side effects.

The final reason for stacking steroids is probably the most important - it’s illegal! That’s right; steroids are now controlled substances like cocaine and heroine. And the more you have in your possession the more likely you’ll be charged. A judge may look the other way at one bottle of Dianabol, but we’re almost guaranteed they’ll throw the book at you if you have a mixture of Dianabol, Winstrol, and Deca-Durabolin.

Play it safe and legal with steroid alternatives!

The science of bodybuilding supplementation has become so advanced that there are now products that imitate illegal steroids, but without the same degree of side effects or legal aspects. Many of these steroid alternatives can provide a comparable effect to anabolic steroids, but are considered legal because they do not convert to testosterone or act like anabolic hormones until they are taken into the body! These legal steroid analogs have been designed with the best pharmaceutical grade ingredients to maximize your bodybuilding potential.

Bob Howard expert on bodybuilding and legal analog
steroids.
Are you looking for more of his steroids
stacking articles? http://www.steroids-help.com

©Article Bob Howard 03/22/2006

Amino Acids for Muscle Building Are King Daddy

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 6:24 am

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and muscle tissue. All types of physiological processes relating to sport energy, recovery, muscle strength gains and fat loss, as well as mood and brain function are intimately and critically linked to amino acids.

Amino acids fall in to two classifications, indispensable amino acids (IAA) or essential amino acids and dispensable amino acids (DAA) or not essential amino acids. IAA’s must be supplied by food. DAA’s can be synthesized by the body.

What makes free form amino acids King Daddy for building muscle? The answer is bioavailability - how much of what is ingested makes it to where it is to be used by the body and how long it takes to get there. Free form amino acids can enter in the general circulation within 15 minutes, making them readily available for metabolism at the site where they are needed. Ingesting amino acids before, during and after training can prevent mental fatigue, as well as provide a source of energy to help prevent muscle protein catabolism and speed recuperation.

Amino acids from food take two to four hours to reach the muscles. Even if you eat the right foods soon after training, the nutrients will arrive at the muscle too late to take full advantage of the window of opportunity of recovery.

The answer is supplementing with amino acids, which quickly enter the bloodstream from the small intestines. They do not have to be digested and converted by the liver. Certain amino acids, arginine, methionine and glycine are used to make Creatine phosphate, which converts to ATP and is used as an energy source during intense training.

Combining creatine powder with amino acid supplements is a great way to build muscle fast. Add 5 grams of glutamine powder before and after training and before bed and you will be the talk of the gym (That’s 15 grams total). Don’t forget to add some tyrosine (2 grams) before you workout and feel the strength. Tyrosine also helps mental recovery and helps mid afternoon slump. Throw in 5 or 6 grams of arginine daily and see the pump hang around much longer. Amino acid complexes are a great foundation to build on with these above mention single amino acids. Branch chain amino acids (BCAA’s) are worth taking a look at as well. It’s all about the speed of absorption that makes these babies King Daddy.

Essential amino acids can be found in meats and poultry, fish, eggs and dairy, such as cheese and milk, as well as in many plant sources, such as grains and legumes. So be sure to keep these foods at the forefront of you diet.

Amino acids can also help prevent the body from using muscle as fuel during intense training. Certain amino acids have been shown to aid in the metabolism of fat and the release of growth hormone. Amino acids also strengthen the immune system which is key in body building athletes.

Fred Fishburne and his wife are owners of ProHealth Nutrition, Inc., a very successful health store in McDonough, Ga. Visit them at: http://prohealthnut.com

October 27, 2008

Gain Muscle Mass

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 5:18 pm

Gaining muscle mass is not that hard. Actually it is simple and straightforward. There is only one condition attached. That condition is you have to do it right.

Now many would say that of course you have to do it right. To gain mass you need to adhere to the basic principles regarding adding size to your frame.

As human beings we are all different. Different routines benefit different individuals. The same applies to diets. We all require different amounts of rest as well. However one thing remains true. We all gain muscle roughly the same way. Actually it is quite fortunate that we gain muscle the same way.

Just imagine if we all had totally different ways of adding muscle. It certainly would be very confusing.

I remember when I first started my muscle building journey. I learnt that building muscle is a combination training, nutrition and rest. This fact is so true. It always was and always will be.

When trying to add muscle everything you do revolves around these three principles. Bodybuilders constantly try to strike a balance between these three.

Fortunately for those trying to add mass there are these basic principles they need to stick to. If you follow these principles then your chances of success will be much greater.

Here are some basic guidelines for adding mass …

    • Consume lots of calories

    • Get enough protein

    • Train heavy

    • Get enough sleep and rest

As you can see from the above list, the basics are covered. It might seem easy but so many people do not even meet these basic requirements.

It is important to get the basics right. For example during an eight week cycle, every single day is important. If for just one day you do not meet your daily protein requirements you will be compromising your efforts.

Whenever I create an eating plan or training routine I make sure it is clear, concise and easy to follow. For many just following such a simple program is such a hard thing to do.

I know many guys who workout month after month and put on little mass. Most of the time the problem does not lie with their training. Due to sheer enthusiasm their training efficiency is quite good.

The problem mostly lies with their nutrition. I always feel that nutrition is so underrated. Nutrition forms the basis of a successful muscle building program. For example if your nutrition is only half of what it should be you are going to struggle. You will be building less muscle than you should be. This will not allow you to become stronger at a steady rate. As you might know more strength means more muscle.

From the example above you can see how important it is to get the basics right.

Faseegh Salie has a passion for weight training. He gives lots of advice to people interested in building muscle. He also has a website where he provides information on training, nutrition and supplementation. For more info on gaining muscle mass check out http://www.basic-bodybuilding-workouts.com/Gain-muscle-mass.html

October 25, 2008

Exercise The Right Way - The Lying Triceps Extension

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 4:37 am

Other articles in this series looked at a number of exercises, mainly from the perspective of developing a comprehensive muscle building program. Sometimes we take things for granted, especially when it comes to performing the basic exercises that constitute the core of most bodybuilders’ training regimes.


It is useful, therefore, to describe in detail the processes involved in actually doing these exercises. This will help beginners to start out using the correct techniques before moving on to potentially more dangerous heavy weights. If it also helps more experienced lifters to redress some of the little faults that have almost imperceptibly crept in over the years, all the better.


In this article we’ll take a close look at the lying triceps extension.


MUSCLES TARGETED: triceps brachii


STARTING POSITION


Assume a supine position on a bench.
Grasp the bar with a closed, pronated grip.
Position the bar over the chest with the elbows fully extended and the arms parallel.
Point the elbows away from the face.
This is the starting point for all repetitions.


DOWNWARD MOVEMENT


Allow the elbows to slowly flex to lower the bar toward the face.
Make sure the wrists remain rigid and elbows point away from face.
Keep the upper arms parallel with each other.
Lower the bar until it touches the head.


UPWARD MOVEMENT


Push the bar upward until the elbows are fully extended.
Make sure the wrists remain rigid and elbows point away from face.
Keep the upper arms parallel with each other.
Repeat or finish set.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Exercises to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

October 20, 2008

The Ab Wars

Filed under: Fitness Portal — admin @ 9:17 pm

One of the hottest debates that still lingers in the fitness/rehab and sports performance industries is that over the correct use of the abdominal wall during movement and exercise. On one side, you’ve got the drawing-in camp that believes that the only way to safely protect your spine during exercise and movement is by drawing or “sucking” in your abdominal wall. This supposedly recruits what is known as the “inner-unit” musculature and primarily the infamous “transversus abdominus muscle.” On the other side, a different camp preaches the importance of using all of the abdominal layers to perform what is called “bracing.” By bracing one doesn’t suck in or push out the abdominal wall. Instead, one just “stiffens” the muscles to a slight degree depending on the load or perturbation being encountered. The purpose of this article is to take a closer look at either side of this heated debate and come up with some logical conclusions based on current scientific and anecdotal research. Strap in, it’s going to get bumpy!

The Theory Behind Drawing-in

We’ll begin our tour of the abdominal universe by looking at the proposed theory of the benefits of drawing-in or bringing the belly button towards the spine. By completing such an action, the body’s inner muscular unit is supposedly activated which starts a complex process of stabilization mechanisms for the lower back, spine, and pelvis. The real impetus behind this theory stems from some physical therapy research down in Australia in the 1990’s. What these researches found was that many post-injury and post-surgical patients had delayed activation of the transversus abdominus and lumbar multifidus muscles upon initiating many types of movements such as reaching for example. For the interested reader, get the book Therapeutic Exercise for Spinal Segmental Stabilization in Low Back Pain by Richardson, Jull, Hodges and Hides. In this text, the authors put forth their theories based on research of low back pain patients. The basic gist of their theory is summed up in the introduction of the above-mentioned text:

“Spinal segmental stabilization is designed to specifically improve the
underlying joint stabilization rather than training functional movement
and hoping joint control improves concurrently”

Hmmm, let’s get this straight; train in an isolated way and then “hope” that joint control improves during functional or “real-life” movements and performance! I’d call that a giant leap of faith based on what motor control research tells us about specificity. Try it with any healthy athlete and be prepared to be disappointed. Here are some of the reasons why this theory does not pan out in the real world:

1. Firstly, there’s very little evidence that training stabilization, balance or any other motor skill in an isolated way carries over to real world type of situations that often occur under rapid or ballistic type of conditions. This goes back to the good old SAID (specific adaptation to imposed demands) principle that has been known for decades. On a similar note, balance strategies that are often encountered in sport rely more heavily on feedforward systems rather than the common gym forms of balance training that are based more on feedback systems. In discussing issues such as balance and stability these issues are important to distinguish because they are the most fundamental principles of motor learning. Feedforward systems basically are preprogrammed movement strategies in the brain. One does not have time to think, or adjust their body to accommodate the situations. Feedback systems allow one to make corrections to the movement such as in squatting, deadlifting, or pressing a weight overhead.

2. Inner-unit activation type of exercise strategies involves conscious activation of specific isolated muscles that can lead to “paralysis by analysis” during real life and sporting-type of situations. The old axiom of the body knowing “movement not muscles” comes to mind again and again. Also, it is not realistic to think that one could consciously contract their inner-unit while fighting, sprinting, changing direction at a fast speed, or performing a complex sporting skill.

3. Conscious attempt to isolate the transversus abdominus muscle can actually result in posterior rotation of the pelvis which would also cause flexion of the lumbar spine; a strategy that cannot be recommended during exercises like squats or deadlifts! This is also contradictory to most sporting movements. So, while so many argue their inner-unit is more active the structure is actually severally compromised and at higher risk for injury.

4. Fourthly, using a suspension bridge model of the spine, Canadian Spine Biomechanist Dr. Stuart McGill has shown that hollowing (drawing in) the spine causes the spine to be unstable. This is because drawing-in actually reduces the size of the base of the guy wires, which reduces the muscles contribution to spine stiffness. Ultimately, this can only lead to a decrease in spine stability.

The Theory Behind Bracing

The theory behind bracing requires much less explanation because it is much easier to visualize and understand. By bracing, one activates all the layers of the abdominal wall including the glorified inner-unit muscles. Going back to the suspension bridge model explained by McGill, during a bracing maneuver, one maintains the size of the base of the guy wires and thus increases spine stability, which reduces the tendency for spinal segments to buckle. An interesting phenomenon is that this naturally occurs in most healthy non-injured back patients when breath is held during an exertion. It’s as if the body knows the kind of stability required and just unconsciously makes the person hold his or her breath. This breath holding significantly increases intra-abdominal pressure, which will be explained in greater detail below.

The role of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is often a forgotten component of spinal stability. In Dr. Zatsiorsky’s famous text Science and Practice of Strength Training, he states that even when a person leans with 80 kg weight the load on the lumbar vertebrae exceeds 1,000 kg. As we all know the body is capable of lifting far more than 80 kg. Dr. Zatsiorsky states that IAP can reduce pressure on the intervertebral disks by 20% on average and 40% in more extreme situations.

IAP can be increased by utilizing the Valsalva maneuver and by through contraction of the oblique abdominal muscles. The Valsalva maneuver is very similar to Power Breathing taught by Pavel and this is why this method of breathing should be taught to those wishing to increase stability of the body during lifting. The obliques also are vital in creating IAP along with the diaphragm. Because of the insertion points of the obliques, they can help the extensor muscles by adding stability to the erector spinae fascia. Developing strong obliques appears to be necessity for creating a stable spine. Exercises such as Janda sit-ups, suitcase deadlifts, and full contact twists fit the bill nicely.

The late Dr. Mel Siff cites some other great methods of increasing abdominal tension, “Similarly, the traditional boxing technique of using punches, medicine balls, or powerful thrusts on the abdomen extrinsically increases the mechanical tension in the abdominal muscles. In other words, inward or outward distention of the abdomen during forced breath holding produces greater muscle tension and thereby offers a stronger stimulus to conditioning.” No need to draw in here!

In Conclusion

In the final analysis, there is some credible science that backs up the importance of some of the deeper, stabilizing muscles of the spine and pelvis. Inner-unit activation exercises like trasversus abdominus and multifidus muscle activation techniques may have a place for initial stages of back rehabilitation. After that, they are quite limited for healthy subjects performing dynamic movements. For more integrated movements, trying to draw in may actually compromise the quality of movement and create an environment for injury as described by spine experts such as Stuart McGill.

To conclude, we believe that if you teach people the proper body mechanics (dynamic posture) for all exercises, teach proper use of the breath, and use appropriate loading strategies, most spinal injuries can be avoided. Of course, this does not account for the few unfortunate accidents that can occur during life and sport where no amount of training or conditioning is going to keep you from getting injured. We hope that this article has been informative and we would love to hear your questions and comments.

About the authors- Keats Snideman and Josh Henkin are Strength and Conditioning Specialist who live in Phoenix, Arizona. To contact Keats visit http://www.keatssnideman.com or via e-mail at ksnideman@lycos.com. Josh can be reached at http://www.joshhenkin.com or josh@joshhenkin.com. Josh is also the author of the Beyond Functional Training Series.