RecoverRx Performance and Recovery BlogThis blog is dedicated to all things from recovery to performance. Our industry expert Physical Therapists provide evidence based information and opinions educating our readers on how to optimize their health in order to be able to overcome injuries and live the life they were meant to live!
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What is intermittent fasting?
The health and wellness landscape is certainly full of trends, and one nutrition strategy that has gained a lot of attention recently is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting, or “IF”, is defined as when a person alternates between periods of eating and periods of fasting. The terms “patterns” or “cycles” may also be used to describe this almost rhythmic type of diet. Using intermittent fasting as a tool does not necessarily mean you are cutting your caloric intake way down, but rather you are consuming your calories in designated windows of time, usually with longer stretches between consumption, and these windows are consistent day to day or week to week. For example, you may choose to only eat between the hours of 9am and 5pm each day. Some methods of this type of diet suggest you decrease caloric consumption on certain days, while also adhering to specific eating windows 
What are the potential health benefits of IF?
The belief behind this approach to nutrition is that your body may become satisfied with smaller portions, and cravings for less healthy foods may also decrease. The outcome of IF may be weight loss, which can also help lower the risk of diabetes, sleep apnea, and some types of cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, some research suggests that intermittent fasting may be more beneficial than other diets for reducing inflammation and conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. What are the potential risks? Intermittent fasting is not recommended for everyone. Those who should avoid this type of diet include pregnant or nursing women, people with a history of eating disorders, people with risk of hypoglycemia, and those with certain chronic diseases. It is always important to consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any dietary changes. What are the different types of IF? According to Cleveland Clinic, there are a few different approaches to intermittent fasting, which is a benefit of the diet overall - there is no one-size-fits-all way to incorporate it into your life. Below are some ways this type of diet is utilized:
How do you know if IF is right for you?
Just like no two people are the same, no two diets are either. Everyone’s lifestyle, preferences, and resources are different, so intermittent fasting may or may not be a good strategy for you. With several methods of IF, it’s important to be open to some trial and error if you decide to give it a shot - one method may work and feel much better than others. Consulting your healthcare provider and being open to trying something new when it comes to your approach to nutrition are great ways to start exploring this diet.
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What is NEAT?
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy your body uses to do everything other than sleep, eat, or formal exercise. In other words, it is the calories that are burned by the movements you make by going through your daily routine, not including those expended at the gym. There are a vast number of activities that fall into this category, including typing at a computer to walking around the grocery store to performing yard work. While some types of movement or activities you do during the day may not seem significant, NEAT can have a big impact on your metabolic rate and overall health. 
The Benefits of NEAT
Research shows that incorporating more informal movement into your day - like biking to work or taking a phone call while walking around the block - could be a critical piece to the weight management puzzle and also help you stay more mobile, agile, and feel better overall. Higher levels of NEAT are also connected with lowered risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular events. A study in 2018 showed that a low level of NEAT is associated with obesity, and that a higher level of this type of physical activity enhances lifestyle. People who report having a moderate-to-high level of activity throughout the day outside of formal exercise also report feeling more energetic and an improvement in mood versus when they experience days of low levels of physical activity. From disease prevention to feeling good both physically and mentally, it’s clear that NEAT is a useful tool. Ways to Boost Your NEAT (and Still Be Productive)
Whether you have a goal to lose body weight, prevent cardiovascular disease, or feel more energetic, NEAT could be your ticket to get there. Little choices and small steps taken repeatedly can add up to big achievements when it comes to your health. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing - find what works for you and your health journey and stick to it!
Blood Flow Restriction Training: What Is It and Is It Right For You?By: Dr. Jesse Espe, PT, DPT, CSCS, CIDN  BFR-main-pic--1024x854.jpeg (1024×854) (theathletedaily.com) So... What Is BFR exactly?
In order to fully understand what blood flow restriction (BFR) training is and how it works, first we need to brush up on how the cardiovascular system works. In a nutshell, your arteries carry oxygenated blood to your working muscles, then your veins carry the deoxygenated blood back to your heart. BFR was originally developed in the 1960’s in Japan, known as KAATSU training there, to play with this system and try to hack your physiology. Essentially it involves applying a band or cuff proximally to the muscle(s) being trained, typically upper arms and legs. The cuff is then inflated to a determined pressure. This pressure then will limit the amount of venous return out of the muscle while still allowing the arteries to carry oxygenated blood to the working muscles. Once applied, the athlete will complete a low load (20-30% of 1 RM), with high repetitions (15-30) with a short rest interval between sets (30 seconds). |
AuthorsDr. Luke Greenwell, Dr. David Bokermann, Dr. Sarah Greenwell, & Dr. Ariel Sernek are Performance Based Physical Therapists with extensive backgrounds in treating the injured athlete. At RecoverRx, they are passionate about returning people to the sports & activities they love. Check out more about them by visiting our About Us page. Categories
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