All posts by Eric Eisenhart

11Aug/17

WE BELIEVE…..

Every child can enjoy the benefits of being stronger and happier, through better health….

The Stronger, Happier Kids initiative was launched in early 2016 when a team of health professionals, parents, school officials and community leaders came together with common beliefs…and aligned goals….to prepare our children for a long, happy and healthy life.  With a focus on age-appropriate practical education and consistent healthy action, we work in the classroom, on the fields, and in the community alongside parents, teachers, administrators and coaches, and leverage Pro-Activity’s  evidence-based ELEMENTS health promotion curriculum, teaching our children about MOVE-ing enough and with quality, FUELing appropriately, RECOVERing fully, ENDURing set-back, and CONNECTing with one another in both challenge and achievement!

We look forward to connecting with you and supporting your efforts in preparing the next generation to thrive!

 

06Mar/17

Getting Ready for the Big Race – Build Your Base

Generally speaking, training for a road race involves 3 to 4 basic workout types, each with a specific objective.

  1. The long/slow jog — is designed to build endurance in both the aerobic system and the working tissues
  2. The “tempo” run — is designed to improve efficiency and begin to stimulate improvements in the athletes ability to sustain a more challenging pace
  3. “Speed work” — is designed to train the muscular system anaerobically and emphasizes “cadence” (steps per minute) or what is sometimes called “turn over”
  4. Movement Quality — these workouts, although optional for younger athletes help to build the flexibility and strength required to improve performance without risking injury.

To prepare for your first 5k, it is typically beneficial to slowly and steadily progress training volume (how much) and intensity over and 8-12 week period, broken into 2-3 “phases” of training: “base” (cardiovascular and aerobic fitness), “build” (sustained aerobic exertion and anaerobic strength), and “peak” (anaerobic strength and speed).

Building A Proper Base

Spending the first 2 (if only 8 weeks till race day) and up to 4 (if 12 weeks till race day), focusing effort on aerobic fitness is a great way to start!  The focus of each workout should be on accruing time achieved without rest, while maintaining an exertion level of approximately 4-5.  Attempt 3, 30 minute efforts per week, with at least one day of rest from running in between.

Week 1 Example:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday – Five minutes of jogging, followed by 1 minute of walking, repeat 5 times

Week 2 Example:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday – Eight minutes of jogging, followed by 2 minute of walking, repeat 3 times

Week 3 Example:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday – Thirteen minutes of jogging, followed by 2 minute of walking, repeat 2 times

Week 4 Example:

  • Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday – Fifteen minutes of jogging, rest briefly as needed, and repeat

Of course these are just examples to follow and training is best when individualized to the personal fitness levels and abilities of each.  Adjust this program as needed, and be sure to ask your coach for help.  The most important thing…get out and MOVE, and have fun!

21Feb/17

Earlier Bed Times May Have Protective Health Benefits in Kids

As published in the Journal of Pediatrics in a study of 977 participants, preschool-aged children with early weekday bedtimes (8:00p or earlier) were one-half as likely as children with late bedtimes to be obese as adolescents. Researchers concluded that bedtimes are a modifiable routine that may help to prevent obesity.

http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(16)30361-4/abstract

08Feb/17

Dietary Patterns in Youth Linked to ADHD

Study published in the February 2017 Journal of American Academy of Pediatrics sites a positive relationship between a lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet and ADHD diagnoses has been found. The study states “Not only specific nutrients but also the whole diet should be considered in ADHD.”

 

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/139/2/e20162027.full.pdf