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Michael McIsaac, MS, MS, CSCS

Personal Trainer Scope of Practice

Of particular interest is a personal trainer’s scope of practice (SOP). Abbott (2012) defined SOP as the limitations imposed by law on different vocational pursuits that require a specific educational background and a demonstrated level of competency. Scope of practice also outlines responsibilities and limitations of a professional (Abbott, 2012).  In a effort to gain […]

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Standards and Guidelines; Constituents of Professionalism

Professionalism can be defined as the conduct, goals, or qualities that characterize a profession or a professional (Professionalism, 2014). There are many constituents of professionalism that share similar, as well as different, ideals across fields of expertise and organizations. However, a common unifying archetype often found among professions, especially health professions, is the need to […]

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Exercise Science Degrees; Finding Better Disciplinary Balance

In my last post, I explored the inadequacies of an exercise science degree that focused too narrowly upon one academic sub discipline (i.e., exercise physiology) as the central focus of the program. In the following sections, I would like to explore the constituents of a well-rounded and balanced exercise science degree, as well as a […]

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Exercise Science Degrees; Are They Practical?

In past posts, I explored professionalism within the exercise profession, as well as the constituents that formed credibility. I advocated higher academic standards as a vital first step in moving the exercise professional field in a favorable and advantageous direction. However, is it possible that foundational knowledge within some of our academic institutions is lacking in […]

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Processed Food, Poor Sleep, and Low Grade Chronic Inflammation

Modern Western diets, including macronutrient ratios and macronutrient quality, are substantially different than the hominin diets 10,000 years ago (Ilich, Kelly, Kim, & Spicer, 2014). Modern diets tend to include over 70% of total energy from refined sugars, refined vegetable oils, processed foods, and alcohol (Ilich et al., 2014). Of particular interest is the shift […]

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Protein and Bone Healing

Day and DeHeer (2001) considered the role of adequate protein ingestion, and lack thereof, when treating older individuals recovering from bone fractures. Using rat models, the authors explored how poor protein ingestion before fractures affected bone healing; studies prior to the aforementioned experiment considered low protein intake after injury. Day and DeHeer (2001) submitted that the […]

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Open Reduction and Closed Reduction Internal Fixation: Pros and Cons

Malalignment or displacement (terms used to describe abnormal position of fracture fragments) of bones requires interventions, which stabilize and immobilize the tissue for optimal healing (Delforge, 2002). Two prominent methods that enhance bony union while reducing chances of malunion (i.e., healed fracture fragments in a malaligned/imperfect position) include the open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) and […]

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Medial Collateral Ligaments, and the Healing Process

Understanding the tissue healing process, without medical intervention, serves as a baseline to determine and compare the efficacy of modern-day therapeutic techniques. As a means of appreciating the undisturbed process of tissue healing, the following will examine the research of Frank, Woo, Amiel, Harwood, Gomez, and Akeson (1983) as it relates to medial collateral ligament […]

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; The “Ligamentization” Process

Ligament strength is essential to maintaining joint stability, and prevention of injury. Collagen, a structural protein constituting 65%-80% of the dry weight of ligaments and tendons, provides the majority of functional integrity and framework, as seen on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (Marumo, Saito, Yamagishi, & Fujii, 2005). Thus, finding a suitable tissue replacement for […]

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