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Tag: importance

Importance of Footwear

By Scott Blankenship

Wearing proper footwear is one aspect of daily life that people tend to pay very little attention to. Most of the pain that people have throughout the day such as back pain and shin splints may start at the feet. Yes, everyone has 10 toes but not every foot is the same. Feet run narrow and wide. Some people’s feet pronate and some peoples supinate. If your foot pronates it means your ankle roles toward the inside of your foot. If your foot supinates it means that your ankle roles toward the outside of your foot. This has to do with having high or low arches in your foot. Shoes are made in all different types but some shoes are made to correct that slight tilt inward or outward. These shoes balance out your feet and align them with the rest of your body. If your feet are thrown off, the rest of your body will be as well. So know your feet before you go buy a shoe.

How do you tell if your foot pronates or supinates? There are two simple ways to check. You can wet your foot and step on a piece of cardboard to see the outline of your foot, or simply just take the insole out of one of your older shoes. With either method, look at how your footprint is outlined on you imprint. If your insole is worn down more on the inside of your shoe, then you most likely pronate. If your insole is worn down on the outside of the foot then you most likely supinate. If the wear is even, than you have a neutral foot. Once you know your wear pattern, go to the shoe store with a purpose. Ask for shoes that fix a pronation or supination. Also go to the store later in the day. Feet swell as the day goes by, so a shoe that fits before physical activity might not fit after running a mile. Remember that walking shoes are not the same as running shoes. Walking shows are made stiffer and have less cushioning, running shoes are more lightweight and flexible with more cushioning to absorb more shock. 69% of people with stress fractures in their foot came from not having enough cushions in their shoes. If you don’t want to go buy a whole new shoe but need more cushioning, get an after-market insole such as a total support or a preform, either will give you that little extra support and cushioning. If you know you have problems with your feet and they bother you, go to a specialty store. The level of employee knowledge will be more advanced than a normal shoe store.

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Buddy Broncho

The Importance of a Post-Workout Meal

After a grueling workout, you might find yourself becoming one of two people. First, there are the people who want to go home and eat everything in sight. On the other hand, some people are too exhausted to even fathom the idea of putting any food in their stomachs. While you might falls into one of these categories, many people do not understand the importance of a post-workout meal. The popular post-workout meal includes a healthy dosage of protein, and with good reason; research shows protein within 30-60 minutes post-workout allows the muscles to recover. Without the proper amount of protein in a post-workout meal (and in your everyday diet), your muscles can go from needing 48 hours to properly recover from a workout to taking 72 hours or more before working the same muscle group without doing any damage. Secondly, don’t let the myth of the effectiveness of a low-carb diet prevent you from treating your body to some carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are a main energy source for your body, and taking in carbs 30-60 minutes after your workout can replenish your body’s energy and assist in getting rid of that post-workout exhaustion. Here is a website with a few ideas on post-workout meals that are mostly simple and not time consuming. Get the most out of your workout; don’t punish your body by not having that all important post-workout meal!
Cameron Pound

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Buddy Broncho

The Importance and Benefits of Sleep

College students have busy lives which revolve around school, relationships, jobs, and other responsibilities which can be time and energy consuming but staying healthy is crucial for everybody. In the process, it is important to try to keep up with overall health which includes many aspects such as; exercise, diet, stress levels, nutrition, etc. One area that is routinely overlooked and not payed attention to as much as other areas is the importance of sleep. There is an article on health.com titled, “11 Surprising Health Benefits of Sleep” which examines how critical sleep can be on an individual overall well-being. Some of the most important benefits that can be experienced are better memory, higher levels of creativity, improved grades, sharper attention, lower stress levels, ability to maintain healthier weight, and helps individuals avoid depression. There are also studies that suggest getting proper sleep can help with longevity and living a longer life. To experience these wonderful benefits try to get the recommended eight hours of sleep on average every night if at all possible. This can be challenging with busy schedules and long nights of studying late into the night preparing for a big test the next day or in the near future, but try to manage and prioritize to where everything can be balanced without depriving yourself of sleep. Keep in mind the great benefits that can be realized through consistently getting eight hours of sleep a night and make it a priority along with other healthy lifestyle choices.

Donny Hein

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Buddy Broncho

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