Gary Peters reveals evidence that suggests dietary nitrates, especially beetroot juice, can have positive effects on endurance performance.

Well-prescribed exercise can make a difference to the fitness levels of obese children says Dr Lynne M Boddy at the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University.

At any given time of day, there is a constant cascade of chemical reactions occurring within the human body. These reactions can be caused by numerous stimuli, including foods consumed, thought patterns or physical demands placed on the body. These reactions can be categorized into many different types of responses. Two potential classifications include homeostatic responses, in which the body maintains balance of all biological parameters, and stress responses, where reactions of the body are answering to the introduction of an external stressor.

One of the areas of the body that still most fascinates gym goers is the core. Learn the science behind the core and how to make core workouts effective in this 3-part article series by Ben Cormack.

The client shows up with the familiar rounded shoulders, posterior pelvic tilt, and head forward posture. The urge is place your knee between their scapula, grab their shoulders and pull them back...and say, “there, now stand up straight!” This scene is all too common and, historically, the fitness professional has advised the client to stretch the pectorals, anterior deltoids, abdominals, and strengthen the posterior shoulder complex. At times, the client was placed on a seated row machine and underwent strengthening protocols for the posterior shoulder, parascapular musculature, and latissimus dorsi. The recommendations are driven from good intentions; however, are we looking at the symptom or the problem? In other words, is the functional cause being addressed?

FitPro gets you up to speed on how fluid loss affects your clients and how much fluid they need to keep safe while working out.

The human body is designed to be upright. Whether you believe in evolution or creationism, the same runs true. We are bipedal creatures designed to stand erect with the spine on top of pelvis, and the pelvis on top of the legs. Luckily, we have two very important elements to assist in maintaining an upright posture. First, large gluteus maximus muscles push the hips forward into extension. Secondly, a curvature in the lumbar spine arches the spine upward and backward to lift the torso on top of the hips.