Sports Conditioning

Your maximum heart rate is the maximum number of times your heart beats per minute. The maximum heart rate varies from person to person, and is influenced by age, gender, heredity, weight and...

Determine what kind of muscular endurance you want. Are you training for long-term endurance, such as running a marathon? Are you training for short-term endurance, such as soccer or ice hockey?...

A leg cramp, also called a "charley horse," is a common occurrence, according to the National Sports Medicine Institute. A leg cramp is a sudden extreme pain in the muscle caused by an...

Stroke technique is the key to clocking a fast time while swimming during a triathlon. Preparation is vital. There are certain specific exercises you can do to increase your muscle tone, speed in...

In baseball games athletes are required to accelerate, decelerate and change directions quickly and often. Agility allows the athlete to perform these functions efficiently and without injuring...

A muscle energy technique is a method you can use to strengthen weak muscles, lengthen short muscles or simply increase a muscle's range of motion. According to the Massage Therapy 101 website,...

Heelys (or Heelys Skate Shoes) are shoes that look like regular athletic shoes but with either one or two wheels imbedded into the heel of the shoe to make them roll. Heelys are popular among...

The pushup is the most portable, and arguably the most effective, total upper body exercise. It targets the chest, but it also benefits the shoulders, back and arms. Preparing appropriately before...

Whether it be from excess salt, hormone fluctuations or medication, excess water weight is uncomfortable and can be unsightly in some cases. This bloating or puffiness can often lead to...

Muscles are composed of slow-twitch and fast-twitch fibers. Slow-twitch fibers are used for endurance activities such as running a marathon, while the fast-twitch fibers are used for explosive...

Despite the strength and aesthetic benefits, anabolic steroids are dangerous to an individual's overall health. One of the concerns is the added stress steroids place on the cardiovascular system...

Because of physical demands and pressures to perform, professional athletes are attracted to the benefits provided by anabolic steroids. However, thoughts of unfair athletic advantages and health...

Quadriceps strength is essential in limiting knee injury and performing everyday tasks, from running to jumping. Made up of four muscles, the quad muscles are located on the front part of your...

Strengthening and toning your back and shoulder muscles does more than make you look great. You'll also find that your extra strength and muscle mass helps you to burn fat easier and feel younger...

Vertical jump is an important attribute for many sports, including basketball and football. Although there are many different exercises that can strengthen your vertical leap it can be difficult...

Shin splints, a painful condition along the shinbone, are caused by high-impact sports and the weakness of muscles in the lower leg. Shin splints can be treated by the RICE method of rest, ice,...

Improved muscle endurance requires different types of exercises, depending on the specific muscles being worked and the type of muscle endurance desired. Although some of the specifics may vary,...

A high vertical leap or vertical jump is an important ability in many sports, especially basketball, where jumping ability has an impact on rebounding, shot blocking and shooting. Not everyone has...

Similar to diets, there is a plethora of exercise training programs with weight loss as a goal. Most exercise plans focus on specific needs or areas that an individual is working on. Sports...

Until Jumpsoles were created, vertical leap and sprint speed were among the hardest things for athletes to improve. Jumpsoles are derived from a relatively simple idea. They are merely weighted...

From basketball to ballet, many sports demand the ability to jump and leap; and the higher the better. Improving your ability to jump higher and quicker is simply a matter of adopting a consistent...

Your heart rate, also known as your pulse, is measured by the number of heart beats per minute. Your pulse can be measured either on your wrist or on your neck. Knowing your heart rate is...

Sports health is an all-encompassing factor in preparing the body for your sport of choice. You have to be properly conditioned, nourished and focused for the sport you choose. You will need to...

A vertical leap is usually defined as a person's ability to raise her center of mass above the ground by jumping. Vertical jump is traditionally measured by standing next to a wall and jumping as...

Starting triathlon training is an ambitious endeavor, and determining the best plan to accomplish your goals is essential to finishing. Depending on your fitness levels or any necessary weight...

Whether you want to increase muscle mass or tone up the stomach for a six pack, finding the proper routine will help you achieve your goals. Each person develops muscle differently, so there is...

Many people hope there is a magic cure to burning abdominal fat, but there's not. The best way to get rid of abdominal fat is to use the tried and true methods of eating a healthy diet and...

There are times when you'll pull your hamstring muscle and will have no doubt about the injury. You will feel a surge of pain that forces you to your knees and may require assistance to get you...

With the popularity of "The Biggest Loser" showcasing various motivational methods and weight-loss programs, people search for inspirational professionals to help guide them through weight room...

The cruciate ligaments are the two strong, rope-like ligaments that connect the bones in the knee. People participating in sports or other physical activities often suffer injuries to the anterior...

A good workout feels refreshing. A sore body the next day (or, even worse, the day after that) doesn't feel so good. Anybody who has exercised knows the pain of sore muscles after a particularly...

Rhabdomyolysis is the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle due to muscle tissue injury. Although the muscle damage can be caused by a variety of factors, the results can be fatal. The damaged muscle...

A common injury for tennis players is rotator cuff tendinitis, which is the inflammation and swelling of the four groups of tendons that form the "cap" at the top of the humerus. This happens...

Rugby league is one of the most draining and grueling sporting activities in the world. Because of the physical nature of the sport, players must have the strength and raw power to be able to...

For many football players, bigger isn't necessarily better. While the college and NFL ranks feature lineman who weigh 350 pounds or more, they are by far the exception to the rule. For most...

Increasing muscle mass in the chest does not necessarily require a gym membership and the use of heavy weights. Contrary to popular belief, some of the best exercises for developing a fit chest...

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare disorder involving skeletal muscle breakdown, in which muscle proteins called myoglobin enter the bloodstream. This disorder is associated with taking certain prescription...

HGH stands for human growth hormone. HGH is produced and released by the pituitary gland, maintaining tissues and organs throughout life and fueling growth during childhood. Children and unhealthy...

Foot pronation is the inward roll of your foot as it flattens on the ground. Some amount of pronation is normal and necessary, but overpronation is a common problem that can lead to numerous...

The vertical jump is considered one of the most important tests of athletic performance. One NSCA study found that of all the tests performed at the NFL Combine only the vertical jump was...

The best surfers are fit and prepared for their next wave. Through drills and solid workouts that help enhance your form, you can improve your performance in the sport of surfing. Important areas...

It doesn't take long to see the benefits of walking or running on a treadmill: perfectly even surface, built-in pace monitor, climate-controlled, shock-absorbing track. Sounds perfect. But you'll...

There are many different types of performance-enhancing drugs, including synthetic erythropoeitin (EPO), anabolic steroids and drugs used in blood doping. Although performance-enhancing drugs are...

Plyometric exercises are those that improve muscle strength by using quick extension and retraction motions. In baseball, these motions play a part in almost every action, such as swinging a bat...

Swimming builds strength and endurance, it burns tons of calories and is easy on the joints. This most effective exercise is best when done in a proper lap pool, one that's built for exercise and...

Training for volleyball players should focus on the skills, movements, and power requirements that are specific to the game of volleyball – duh, right? Although sport-specific training is being...

The burpee is a strength and conditioning exercise that works the whole body. No machines or equipment is needed of any kind, and when performed in succession, it can be quite brutal. The only...

Endurance is the ability to exert energy for a set period of time. This is very important for athletes and anyone looking to improve cardiovascular training. A crucial part of gaining stamina and...

A vertical leap is the height you can jump from a stand still. This type of jump is beneficial in most sports, especially in basketball and football. A quick explosive jump will help you shoot a...

There are many methods that will help you improve your vertical, but one effective method is to perform a combination of exercises from 3 types of exercise categories.