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Measuring Body Composition

Body composition (BC) can be defined as the proportions of various tissues (i.e., fat, muscle, and bone) making up the body, which is generally expressed as percent body fat and percent lean body mass (Lee & Nieman, 2013). As such, knowing BC can help one track changes during weight loss or weight gain programs, in […]

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MyFitnessPal Diet Analysis; Strengths and Limitations

Modern Western diets have experienced a drastic change compared to civilizations of 10,000 years ago (Ilich, Kelly, Kim, & Spicer, 2014). Today, approximately 70% of total energy emanates from refined vegetable oils, processed foods, sugars, and alcohol (Ilich et al., 2014). Such an aberration in nutrition quality over a relatively short period in human history […]

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Crohn’s Disease, Vitamin D, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Research has indicated that individuals with Crohn’s disease (CD) can benefit from vitamin D3 supplementation (Carvalho et al., 2013). However, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can blunt the anti-inflammatory properties of said vitamin. Such phenotypic variability makes one question the efficacy of recommending vitamin D3 supplementation without first considering potential roadblocks to absorption and utilization. The […]

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Hiring a Personal Trainer

What are the qualities that employers look for when recruiting and hiring a personal trainer? Thus far, I have presented information outlining continuing education, considered a vital component of a personal trainer’s resume. In the following sections, I would like to consider an “outside” point of view from an employer’s perspective; to explore and consider […]

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Where Does Kinesiology Fit?

Where does Kinesiology fit? I remember a powerful article I read by Ives and Knudson (2007), indicating what they considered important components to a well-rounded academic program in exercise science. They argued, persuasively, that a good program was composed of several sub-disciplines (i.e., exercise physiology, biomechanics, functional anatomy, motor learning). The point that resonated, and […]

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A Case For Continuing Education

Undergraduate degrees generally provide foundational knowledge that students build upon by experience and discovery of new information. In the following sections, I would like to explore why mandated continuing education (CE) is a viable option by considering the work of Landers, McWhorter, Krum, and Glovinsky (2005). Landers et al. (2005) noted their study that indicated […]

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Prevention and Management Strategies for Cardiac Arrest

In my last post, I outlined factors that could contribute to cardiac arrest, as a first step in anticipating and managing weight room emergencies. In the following sections, I would like to build on the aforementioned early detection strategies by outlining a prevention and management program suggested by Abbott (2013). Abbott (2013) submitted that although […]

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Cardiac Arrest; Are We Prepared?

Awareness and identification of liability exposures in a fitness facility is a central step in developing strategies for protecting clientele, and employees (Einkoff-Shemek & Deja, 2000).  A common accident that occurs in fitness facilities is cardiac arrest, and some institutions still experience difficulties preventing and managing cardiovascular complications when it they do occur (Abbott, 2013). […]

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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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