The Cybex Research Institute, under the guidance of Dr. Paul Juris,
has the directive of discovering the scientific truths that verify the information
disseminated to the fitness community and the products engineered by Cybex International.
In this section, "The Truth on Fitness", the Institute will examine a variety of
pertinent fitness topics, and present credible basic science and evidence-based
conclusions that will help our readers make smart decisions about their own fitness
methods and practices. To learn more about the truth on fitness, click on a link
below.
Barefoot running is becoming an increasingly popular trend as of late. Minimal or
near-barefoot style shoes (e.g., Nike Free, Vibram FiveFingers) have significantly
increased sales while barefoot-like running techniques (e.g., Pose,Chi) are commonly
touted as the correct or ‘natural’ way to run. Many proponents of barefoot running
claim we were ‘born to run’ and that modern day running shoes are the main cause
of the high injury rates experienced by runners (McDougall 2009). Are shoes to blame
for all running injuries?
Should women run? This is the question that was recently posed on a popular internet
sports conditioning forum. Citing a review article published in the journal Sports
Medicine, and a vague reference to women's structural anatomy, the commentator questioned
whether women should run. To read the rebuttal presented by Dr. Paul Juris, click
on the title above.
When running on a treadmill, "the belt pulls your leg through, resulting in a relatively
passive extension of the hip. Passive [hip] extension would then minimize the contribution
of the primary hip extensors. Running over ground, on the other hand, requires that
you pull your leg through, therefore involving active hip extension."
In considering fitness programs, two broad categories typically define one's exercise
options; strength training, or cardiovascular conditioning. Most of us understand,
intuitively, the differences between these modes of exercise, and organize our workouts
so that they are treated separately. In fact, most gym environments divide the equipment
serving these two modalities. From a different perspective, however, strength training
and cardiovascular conditioning are really one in the same, with equipment options
that blur the lines between the two applications.