Fourteen Thoughts from Reading this Issue
1. Mentally distracted or focused? Grace T. DeSimone, B.A., ACSM-CPT, ACSM-GEI, provides excellent tips regarding how clients can connect their minds with their muscles in this issue's Fitness Focus column, “The Mind-Muscle Connection." A great column to save and share with clients.
2. Awareness of menstrual cycle phases can help decrease injury risk. In this issue's Health & Fitness from A to Z column, Maya Gault, B.A., and Katie Smith, Ph.D., RDN, LD, FACSM, ACSM-EP, provide an excellent review of the menstrual cycle and steps that can be taken to reduce injuries and improve performance. For important information that all health and fitness professionals should be aware of, be sure to read “The Menstrual Cycle: A Lookback on the Understanding and Its Impact on Athletic Performance."
3. What should the health and fitness professional know? Charles J. Fountaine, Ph.D., FACSM, provides an interesting perspective using artificial intelligence in this issue's Take Ten column, “Ten Things Artificial Intelligence Thinks Health and Fitness Professionals Should Know!"
4. FITT + F! In this introductory article, Guest Editor Elizabeth O'Neill, DPE, ACSM-EP, provides a comprehensive overview of each of the outstanding feature articles that comprise this themed issue. Be sure to start by reading “Exploring Aspects of Exercise Prescription," to learn more about the issue and what the additional “F" represents!
5. Mind over matter? Kathleen Mellano, Ph.D., discusses steps you can take with your clients to help them improve their mental preparation for exercise and performance. Filled with actionable takeaways, I am certain you will gain some helpful insights by reading “Thinking Out to In: Psychological Considerations for Optimal Sport and Exercise Performance."
6. Moving outside the “expert" approach: hard work but impactful! Jeff Breckon, Ph.D., highlights strategies we can use to assist our clients, patients, and athletes to successfully navigate their journey to improved health and performance in his excellent feature article, “Supporting Physical Activity Lifestyle Change: The Application of Motivational Interviewing."
7. Is postural analysis part of your toolbox? Assessing posture can provide valuable information to refine your client's exercise program. Jay Polsgrove, Ph.D., and Christopher Pomerleau, DPT, discuss the use of posture for exercise prescription in their thought-provoking feature article, “Using Posture to Enhance Insights on Movement Performance."
8. Biomechanics: an often underutilized but important tool for exercise professionals. Chee-Hoi Leong, Ph.D., discusses the use of biomechanics to guide fitness professionals striving to improve client mobility and training outcomes. I am confident you will gain a few applicable insights by reading “Use of Biomechanics to Optimize Mobility."
9. Consider less sagittal, more frontal and transverse plane exercises! Michelle Boland, Ph.D., and TJ Cahill, B.S., CSCS, challenge us to think beyond standard exercise activities to help our clients gain additional benefits from their training programs. Be sure to read “Simple Strategies to Get Your Clients and Athletes Moving Better Without Sacrificing Fitness." Hmm, I need to apply some of these to my program!
10. Do you have a “grit" personality? Mary M. Yoke, Ph.D., M.A., M.M., FACSM, shares three interesting studies from the peer-reviewed literature in this issue's Research Bites column. Interesting studies! You can learn more about grit personalities and motivation!
11. More ellagitannins on my plate? In this issue's A Nutritionist's View column, Stella Lucia Volpe, Ph.D., RDN, FACSM, ACSM-CEP, discusses the potential benefits of urolithin A supplementation. Discover what foods naturally contain ellagitannins and where the current research on urolithin supplementation is at by reading “Urolithin A, Mitochondrial Biogenesis."
12. Zeroing in on an appropriate individualized exercise prescription for each client is critical! JoAnn M. Eickhoff-Shemek, Ph.D., FACSM, in this issue's Fitness Safety column, “FITT Safety: Focusing on Intensity and Type," discusses the responsibility all exercise professionals have to ensure that each client has a safe and appropriate exercise experience. An important column to read and understand!
13. Staying abreast of industry trends is important. In this issue's Business Edge column, “Paying Attention to Trends," Guest Columnist John A. Schaffer Jr. discusses how to zero in and use fitness trend information to inform programming and facility services.
14. THANK YOU!! A gigantic shout out and thank-you to Guest Editor Elizabeth O'Neill, DPE, ACSM-EP, and Associate Editor-in-Chief Paul M. Gallo, Ed.D., FACSM, ACSM-CEP, ACSM-EP, ACSM-GEI, EIM, for their exceptional work putting together this exceptional themed issue.
Brad A. Roy, Ph.D., FACSM
Editor-in-Chief
Logan Regional Medical Center
[email protected]
