Student Questions - Round 7

Question: If you are in a desk all day, but you exercise in the morning, will you still have possibilities of getting diseases like cancer?

Answer: There is no exact answer to this as everyone's body chemistry and genetics are different. What research is telling us right now is that the more often you move, the better your chances to live longer. Movement promotes healthy circulation of our cardiovascular and detoxification systems. This means that oxygen and nutrition will be circulated better to all the cells, tissues, and organs. It also means that our bodies will be better able to get rid of "trash" through our waste removal systems.

Question:What can you do that is active when it's bad weather outside?

Answer: Think of all the exercises we do as part of our dynamic warm-up. Things like jumping jacks, lunges, push-ups, burpees, squats, split squats, planks, bird-dogs, and foot fire can all be done in a small space. If you have a play room or basement, invent games to play with soft balls or other equipment that will not damage your house. An exercise bike, treadmill, or elliptical machine are also good options for indoor exercise. If you use your imagination, I'm sure you can come up with many different ways to get active.

Question: How do you improve running faster?

Answer: To improve speed, three things must occur. 1. You must improve your strength. Remember, a fast runner is someone who is powerful. Power = Strength + Speed. Exercises like squats, lunges, split squats, push-ups, and planks can increase total body strength. 2. You must practice running fast! When you sprint, you are activating your fast twitch muscle fibers. These muscles will gradually change and learn to fire faster as you practice sprinting. Jogging will not make you a faster runner, although it can help with your endurance. 3. Practice running with good technique. Lean forward, land on your mid to front foot, and drive your arms straight forward from your hips upward. If you do these things, you will find yourself running faster over time.