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How Does Temperature Impact Your Exercise Performance

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How Does Temperature Impact Your Exercise Performance

How Does Temperature Impact Your Exercise Performance (Picture Credit – Freepik)

When it comes to improving physical performance, we frequently emphasise characteristics such as strength, endurance, and technique. However, there is another important factor that can have a huge impact on our abilities: thermoregulation. Understanding how our bodies control temperature and utilising that information can lead to significant performance increases. We will look at the science of thermoregulation and how you can use it to reach your best potential.

The Body’s Thermoregulation Mechanism

Thermoregulation is the body’s natural method for keeping its core temperature within a narrow range. It’s a difficult balance, as both overheating and overcooling can be damaging to performance. To attain this equilibrium, the human body uses a variety of mechanisms such as perspiration, blood flow regulation, and shivering.

The Power of Cooling

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One of the most important features of thermoregulation is the body’s ability to effectively eliminate excess heat. Heat can be evacuated or absorbed more quickly in three locations: the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the face. It is necessary to understand why these zones are so important for cooling.

Improved Performance with Directed Cooling

Proper cooling of these heat-exchange zones employing specialised techniques can produce outstanding outcomes. According to studies, chilling these areas allows people to accomplish 200-600% more repetitions of resistance exercises using the same weight loads. It can also improve endurance in activities such as running, cycling, and swimming. Directed cooling can be a game changer for sportsmen and fitness enthusiasts who want to push their limits.

Glabrous Skin: The Secret to Faster Recovery

Glabrous skin, which covers the bottoms of the feet, palms, and cheeks, plays an important role in thermoregulation. Cooling these areas can shorten recovery time after heavy exercise. Individuals who apply cooling techniques to glabrous skin can reduce post-workout fatigue and discomfort, allowing for a faster and more effective recovery.

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Effective Cooling vs. Inefficient Methods

It is critical to distinguish between effective cooling methods and those that may be ineffective or even dangerous. Traditional methods such as whole-body submersion in cold water or attempting to heat the body through the torso may not produce the intended outcomes. Understanding the limitations of these approaches and implementing more targeted cooling strategies can lead to a safer and more effective approach.

Temperature Effects of Substances

Finally, it is critical to analyse the effect of specific drugs on thermoregulation. Caffeine, alcohol, and anti-inflammatory substances can all affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Being aware of these consequences might help people make more educated consumption decisions, especially when aiming for optimum physical performance.

To summarise, thermoregulation is a fascinating element of human physiology with a significant impact on athletic performance. Individuals can reach their greatest athletic potential by learning how their bodies regulate temperature and using particular cooling measures. Whether you’re an expert athlete or someone looking to improve their fitness, using thermoregulation can help you perform better. So, the next time you go to the gym or the track, know that the science of cooling could be your hidden weapon for success.

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Fitness

The five best exercises for heart health

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The five best exercises for heart health

You can probably feel that you’re working your heart when you walk up a hill. Your heart beats faster and you might feel out of breath, but you might not appreciate the full extent of the benefits.

Any exercise that works your heart and lungs will strengthen the heart muscle, helping to prevent high blood pressure and the “bad” kind of cholesterol that can clog up our arteries. All of this is great for your health span and will reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. While any kind of cardio, whether it’s walking or running, is good for heart health for maximum heart benefits, you need to mix up your training sessions.

First, you’ll need some longer, low- to medium-intensity training sessions (known as “zone two” training), ideally three a week. Second, you need a couple of medium- to high-intensity interval training (also known as HIIT) sessions each week. Finally, sports training, or anything that mimics it, is also great for developing cardiovascular fitness and heart strength. So how do you go about working these into your training?

Walking

While walking in general is good for you, to truly boost your heart health your pace needs to be quick, or the terrain will need to be highly varied so that you are working hard enough. You’ll need to reach around 65-70 per cent of your maximum heart rate and for most people this is not your average stroll, it means walking at a pace with some real intent and it should feel as though you can have a conversation with someone but it’s also slightly strained. The heart and lungs thrive on this, but they need 40 minutes-plus to make it truly effective and the same is true when it comes to fat burning.   

Aim for three days per week of at least 40 mins, at a brisk pace.

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Running

For most people running is a real effort. Even when you reach a good level your heart rate will still be higher than walking at the fastest pace, so for the majority this is not your go-to exercise for longer training sessions. Instead, either opt for a short 20- to 40-minute run to increase your heart strength, or switch between short bouts of 30-90 seconds at a fast pace and 90 seconds’ recovery and make this one of your interval sessions. 

Aim for two sessions a week of 20-40 mins, either at a steady pace or interval training, switching between a fast and slow pace.

Swimming 

The effect of the cool water and the pressure of water on your body makes your heart rate slightly slower when swimming than when exercising on dry land. This makes swimming very effective as a long, constant-pace session as you will have a low to medium heart rate for that 30-40-minute duration with no breaks. However, this only holds if you’re a strong swimmer. If your swimming is not so good but you want to use it in your training it’s a perfect interval session. Good swimmers can also use it for interval sessions, as it’s frankly a tough full body exercise. 

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Tejasswi Prakash Sets Fitness Goals By Acing These 2 Difficult Exercises; Check It Out

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Tejasswi Prakash Sets Fitness Goals By Acing These 2 Difficult Exercises; Check It Out
Tejasswi Prakash was seen doing some gravity-defying stunts! (Photo: Instagram/@tejasswiprakash)

It is difficult to hang from the ceiling in an inverted position, because your focus shifts, and there is a blood rush in the head. But, the Bigg Boss 15 winner managed to do it!

Tejasswi Prakash, just like many other celebrities, loves to sweat it out at the gym. But, instead of working out with dumbbells, kettlebell, weight plates and other gym paraphernalia, she loves to challenge herself with a yoga asana or two in order to stay fit and in shape. The Bigg Boss 15 winner loves to collaborate with celebrity yoga and holistic wellness expert Anshuka Parwani from time-to-time, and she was once again seen exercising at her yoga studio. The actor performed inverted aerial yoga first, which was followed by splits. Take a look at her session here.

Tejasswi made it look effortless, as she hung upside down from the ceiling, while performing inverted aerial yoga. While keeping her feet together, she locked her hands behind her head. Then, she folded her upper body in a way to bring her head closer to the knees. It is a great exercise for those who want to strengthen and shape their core.

Benefits Of Doing Inverted Aerial Yoga

Any kind of core routine requires a lot of practice. Doing it while hanging from the ceiling in an inverted position is all the more difficult because your focus shifts, and there is a blood rush in the head. But, inverted aerial yoga is extremely beneficial. When you exercise upside down, you allow your body and mind to release all the stress. It is extremely beneficial for people who may be suffering from anxiety issues, or even mood swings. According to aerialyogacademy.com, inverting can reduce tension in the muscles and enable you to sleep better at night. Additionally, aerial yoga allows your body to release happy hormones like endorphins and serotonin, which can fight stress and depression.

It also strengthens your core muscles, improves flexibility, and improves your focus.

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Benefits Of Doing Splits

Tejasswi, 30, was also seen acing splits that require a lot of practice and come with many health benefits. Not only does it activate key muscle areas in the body, especially around the thighs, a split exercise can do wonders for your joints and flexibility. It enables one to become more focused and balanced, by forging a connection between the mind and the body.

While there are two different types of splits — side splits and front splits — Tejasswi was seen doing the latter. She did take the support of a pillow that was placed beneath her front leg, so as to avoid injuries. You may also do it in the presence of a fitness expert, who can guide you through it.

Tagging the actor, Parwani appreciated her efforts. She wrote in the caption that her client is ‘levelling up her core game and nailing those splits’.


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Fitness

Double squat into a double press — Today's Tip

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Double squat into a double press — Today's Tip

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