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Sports Medicine: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Best and Worst Ab Exercises
These are the best ab exercises, according to the research. Experts explain which ab exercises are the best and worst. Don't waste your time doing abdominal exercises. The Best and Worst Ab Exercises.
Best Ab Workouts
Try these great abdominal exercises in the ab exercise list. These are some of the best and most effective ab and core workouts for strengthening and firming your abdominal muscles.
Bicycle Crunch Exercise
The Bicycle Crunch Exercise was ranked the number one exercise for strengthening the rectus abdominus.
Calf Strain - Torn Calf Muscle
A calf strain is similar to an Achilles tendon tear or rupture. Here is how to tell them apart.
Captain's Chair Exercise
The Captain's Chair exercise came in second on the list of best exercises for the rectus abdominus.
Core Strength and Conditioning
Building a strong core takes more than ab exercises. Learn why you need to exercise muscles of the torso, spine, hip and pelvis in order to develop a strong core.
Groin Pull or Strain
A groin (adductor) pull or strain occurs when the muscles of the inner thighs are stretched beyond their normal length. The injury should be treated as quickly as possible.
Body Fat Composition
Do you know the difference between body fat and body weight?
Abdominal Exercises - Tips
How develop a stronger, flatter abdominal muscles and core strength
Fast and Slow Twitch Muscle
Are you a better sprinter or distance runner? Fast and slow twitch muscle fibers (or Type I and Type II fiber types) may determine what sports athletes excel at or how they respond to training.
Crunch on an Exercise Ball
Abdominal Crunch on an Exercise Ball - One of the Top Three Ab Exercises
Vertical Leg Crunch
How to do the Vertical Leg Crunch exercise for abdominal strength
Muscle Soreness - DOMS
Delayed onset muscle soreness describes the feeling of muscle pain a day or two after you exercise. Muscle pain and soreness after a workout is quite common and quite annoying, particularly if you are just beginning an exercise program or changing activities.
How to Exercise Your Abs
In order to develop strong, flat abs, you need to understand what the abdominal muscles do, where the abs are and how to get the most from your ab-exercise routine.
Plank - Hover - Exercise
Learn how to perform the plank with leg lift: an abdominal exercise that builds core strength. Add this and other core strengthening exercises to your ab workout for a new way to build strength and stability.
R.I.C.E
R.I.C.E - Best for Acute Injuries
Reverse Crunch
How to do the Reverse Crunch Ab Exercise
Basic Training
The Body Weight Workout is an exercise routine you can do any time with no equipment. Perfect for traveling, living room workouts or adding a bit of variety to your regular exercise routine.
Long Arm Crunch
How to do the Long Arm Crunch for abdominal strength
Hamstring Pull, Tear, Strain
Hamstring Pull, Tear, or Strain - the most common injury among runners.
Lower Leg Anatomy
Description of lower leg anatomy, including muscles and tendons.
Sprains and Strains
Do you know the difference between a sprain and a strain? In this article you'll learn the difference in severity, symptoms and treatments for sprains and strains, and when you should see a physician for treatment.
Plyometrics
Plyometric exercises can build power and speed if done properly
Abrasions and 'Road Rash'
Information about abrasions, cuts, lacerations, 'road rash,' and scrapes -- from About.com Sports Medicine.
Sports Watches
Top Picks for sports watches. Every athlete needs a great sports watch to stand up to extreme conditions and still give you features you need. Here are some recommendations for watches athletes can use.
Foot Anatomy and Physiology
Overview of Foot Anatomy and Physiology
Muscle Cramps
A muscle cramp is an involuntary and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax.
Stress Fracture of the Foot
Stress Fracture of the Foot
Basic Abdominal Crunch
How to do the Basic Abdominal Crunch Ab Exercise.
Common Knee Pain Causes
Knee pain is extremely common in athletes. Here are some of the more common reasons for knee pain in athletes.
Exercise Program Design
How to Design a Personal Exercise Program
OTC Pain Relievers
What pain medication should you take for sports injuries? Choosing between NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories), aspirin, ibuprofen, or Acetaminophen is confusing at best. Learn how these drugs work, if they are safe and what to take for moderate pain relief.
Post-Exercise Meal
While the pre-exercise meals can ensure that adequate glycogen stores are available for optimal performance, the post-exercise meal is critical to recovery and improves your ability to train consistently.
Eating Before Exercise
What should you eat before exercise? Whether you are eating before an athletic competition, or a basic training workout, what you eat can make a difference in both your performance and recovery.
The Side Stitch
The Side Stitch: explanation and treatment tips
Proper Bicycle Position
A good bike fit is critical to cycling comfort and efficiency. Here are tips for adjusting your bicycle to avoid pain or injury.
hip pointer
What is a Hip Pointer injury and how do you treat it?
Navy SEALs Workout
Navy SEALs Workout - Are you up to the challenge?
Best Home Exercise Equipment
Best Home Exercise Equipment Choices. Here are the top picks for home gym equipment. If you are looking for a convenient and efficient way to get exercise without leaving home, or thinking of building a home gym, these products may be the place to start.
Ice or Heat Injury
Confused about when to use ice and when to use heat on your injuries, aches and pains? Here are the guidelines for deciding on ice or heat for injuries.
Motion Control
Motion control running shoe reviews
Speed Training
A sample workout for improving sprint performance that can be applied to any sport.
Iliotibial (IT) Band Friction
Information about Iliotibial (IT) Band Friction Syndrome - the cause and treatment.
Core Muscle Strength Test
The Core Muscle Strength and Stability Test is one way to assess your current core strength and gauge your progress over time.
Running Injuries
Running Injury - A list of the most common pains and injuries in Runners: cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Blister Treatment
Avoiding blisters while participating in sports isn't easy, but it is possible. Check out this guide on how to prevent blisters.
Shin Splints
Shin splints are a common running injury. Learn what causes the pain in the front of the shin and how you can treat or prevent it.
Interval Training
Interval training helps boost your athletic performance. Here's how to do it.
The Warm Up
A proper warm up can increase the blood flow to the working muscle which results in decreased muscle stiffness, less risk of injury and improved performance. Additional benefits of warming up include physiological and psychological preparation.
Alternating Superman Exercise
How to Do the Alternating Superman Core Exercise
Prevent Overtraining
Overtraining syndrome occurs in athletes who train beyond the body's ability to recover and results in decreased performance.
Careers in Sports Medicine
Careers in Sports Medicine
What Causes Muscle Fatigue
Learn why your muscles fatigue during high intensity exercise, and why you can go longer at a slower pace.
Strength Training Nutrition
Sports nutrition tips for strength training and muscle building. Learn what the experts say about protein, fat and carbohydrate when it comes to building muscles and strength.
Torn Rotator Cuff
Symptoms include pain in the shoulder when the arm is raised or extended out from the side of the body.
Replace Running Shoes
How long do running shoes last? Tips and recommendations for deciding if you need to buy new running shoes.
Proper Hydration for Exercise
Adequate fluid intake is essential for athletes before, during, and after exercise. Whether to use sports drinks or just water depends upon your duration and intensity of exercise.
Crossover Crunch
How to do the crossover crunch abdominal strengthening exercise
10 Questions About Your Abs
Question: Can You Work the Upper and Lower Abs Separately? Get answers to your questions about abdominal exercise in this Ab Exercise FAQ. You'll learn the best way to strengthen and tone your abs.
The Push Up Exercise
The push-up exercise is a great upper body and core strength exercise that when done properly uses muscles in the chest, shoulders, triceps, back, abs and even the legs.
Oblique Crunch
How to do the oblique crunch for abdominal strength.
Lactic Acid
Lactic Acid and Performance How lactic acid affects performance
Quadriceps Pull or Tear
Quadriceps Pull or Tear - a pain in the front of the thigh
Wrist Sprains
Wrist sprains are a common injury that often occurs from a fall on and outstretched hand. Information about wrist injuries such as sprains and strains including diagnosis and treatment.
Ligament Injuries of the Knee
Information about ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL Ligament Injuries of the knee. (Anterior/Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial/Lateral Collateral ligament injuries).
Tendinitis
Tendonitis is a common sports injury that often occurs from overuse. Tendonitis can cause deep, nagging pain that is caused by inflammation of tendons. Treating tendonitis consists of rest, medication, physical therapy or changes to equipment or technique.
Aerobic - Anaerobic Metabolism
There are three main pathways to convert nutrients to energy (ATP) for exercise and it is the intensity and duration of the exercise that determines which method gets used.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is a chronic injury that occurs primarily from overuse.
Strength Over Age 50
Strength Training Over Age 50
Burn More Calories
If you are counting calories burned, high intensity beats long, slow endurance exercise hands down - but you may pay a price
Quadriceps Pull
Quadriceps pulls & strains - information on diagnosis, treatment & prevention
Sports Nutrition Basics
Eating for exercise and sports performance can be complicated. In order to simplify the role of nutrition in sports performance, it's often easier to break it down into phases. Get the basics on sports nutrition.
Cross Training
Cross Training - How Varying your workouts can improve performance and reduce burn-out.
Half Curl
The half curl is a modified crunch that works the abdominal muscles.
Training for a Bicycling #1...
Training for a Bicycling ‘Century;’ Riding 100 miles in a day is within your reach.
Meniscus Injuries
Meniscus Injuries of the Knee
Trail Running Shoes
Trail running shoe recommendations and reviews
30 Second Sprint Intervals
Want more endurance? Do some sprints! Just six workouts of 30-second sprints may be more effective in improving cardiovascular fitness than an hour of daily moderate activity.
Exercise Science Basics
Experts who study exercise science have developed some fundamental principles that tend to apply across the board to the way the human body responds and adapts to physical activity. These rules are often referred to as the principles of conditioning.
Shoulder Tendinitis, Bursitis,
These conditions are closely related and may occur alone or in combination.
Lactic acid
Lactic acid does more than cause fatigue
Jammed Finger
The term jammed finger generally refers to joint swelling in the finger from an end-on injury.
Seated Oblique Twists
How to do the seated oblique twist with a medicine ball
Golt Conditioning Tips
Golfers need to focus on technique to see improvement, but two basic components of conditioning can improve your golf fitness and reduce your risk of injury.
Meniscus Repair
Arthroscopic surgery is the standard outpatient treatment to repair a torn meniscus. Meniscus tears typically occur in sports that require fast starts, stops, cuts and pivots.
Neck Sprain
Neck Sprain - diagnosis and treatment tips.
Best Butt Exercises (Glutes)
The American Council on Exercise and exercise scientists at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, recently studied the most effective way to work the gluteus (butt) muscles. Here are the results.
Sports Injury Warning Signs
There are several warning signs that you may have a sports-related injury. While some sports injuries are immediately evident, others can creep up slowly and progressively get worse. If you don't pay attention to both types of injuries, chronic problems can develop.
Stretching Basics
Stretching Basics to improve flexibility and range of motion
Joint Popping
Joint Noise -- Popping and Cracking
Ankle Sprain Rehab
Immediate action can reduce recovery time after an ankle sprain. Here's what to do.
Before You Buy Athletic Shoes
What to know before you shop for athletic shoes
Anti-Inflammator
Most soft-tissue sports injuries are painful because of swelling and inflammation. This inflammation can often be treated with the use of over the counter anti-inflammatory medications.
Carbohydrates for Sports
All the energy we need for life as well as for exercise comes from the food we eat and beverages we drink. These nutrients are commonly broken into three classes: carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Each category of food is important for health and we should all consume foods from each category. The ratios in which we need to consume these foods, however, is often the topic of a debate.
The Pull Up Exercise
The pull up exercise, also called a chin up, is one of the most overlooked exercises for building upper body, back and core strength. Learn how to use a chin up bar and other exercise equipment.
Safely Use Free Weights
How to buy and use free weights at home. Using free weights is effective way of improving strength and fitness.
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome - what it is and how to treat it.
Tennis Elbow
The cause, symptoms, and treatment of Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis).
Shoe Inserts Insoles Orthotics
Not every athlete needs an insert, but if you are prone to overuse injuries, or have foot, knee or back pain or instability, you may benefit from one.
Abdominal Exercise Equipment
Abdominal exercises can help you build core strength and get a flat belly. Here are some recommended products to help you stay motivated while you focus on the abs.
Stress Fracture
Stress fractures in the leg are often the result of overuse or repeated impacts on a hard surface.
ACL Rehab Exercises
Rehabilitation Exercises for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injuries
Stationary Bikes
Stationary bicycles provide low-impact cardiovascular exercise, are generally quiet in operation, and are efficient with their use of space. Here are tips for selecting and using a stationary bike.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and pain on the bottom of the foot.
Sprains and Strains
Immediate treatment of muscle sprains and muscle strains can make a difference in how long it takes to recover and heal. In this article you'll learn the best way to treat and prevent muscle sprains and strains and when you should see a physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Herniated Discs
A herniated disc [slipped disk] occurs when all or part of the soft center of a spinal disc ruptures through a weakened part of the disc and puts pressure on the spinal nerves.
Ligament Injuries of the Knee
Information about ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL Ligament Injuries of the knee. (Anterior/Posterior Cruciate Ligament and Medial/Lateral Collateral ligament injuries).
Explosive Exercise Training
Explosive exercise training builds power, strength and fitness fast . Learn how to safely use maximal effort training to improve your sports performance.
Strength Training Principles
There are many different ways to build muscle strength, but they all boil down to some very basic principles. These four principles are the foundation upon which to build an efficient and productive strength training routine.
Vertical Jump
Tips and training methods to get more height from your jump.
High Protein Diets
Are high protein diets, like south beach and atkins, right for athletes?
Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Soccer Injuries
Soccer Pain and Injury: Recognizing, treating and preventing the most common soccer pain and injuries.
RPE
The Perceived Exertion Scale is a simple way to determine exercise intensity.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle Sprains and twists -- treatment and prevention
Scaphoid Fracture of the Wrist
Scaphoid Fracture of the Wrist - one of the most common, yet complex, fractures you can have.
Calories Burned
Not all types of exercise are comparable in terms of energy (caloric) expenditure. Learn what type of activity or exercise burns more calories.
cumulative head injury
Serious Effects of Mild Concussions
Rest Recovery After Exercise
Most athletes know that adequate rest after exercise is essential to high level performance. The body repairs and strengthens itself in the time between workouts, and continuous training can actually weaken the strongest athletes. Follow these tips to get the most from your rest and recovery days.
Dizziness with Exercise
If you exercise often and are in good shape you might occasionally experience dizziness and lightheadedness when you stand up quickly. This is generally nothing serious, and occurs due to a slow heart rate.
Triathlon Transition Tips
Tips for getting in and out of the triathlon transition zones quickly and efficiently.
Stretching Research
Stretching - What the Research Shows
Ankle Rehab
Here is a basic ankle injury rehab program for strengthening the muscles that support the ankle joint.
Foam Roller Massage
If you have tight muscles, get a great sports massage by doing foam roller exercises. Learn how to soothe tight muscles by using your own body weight to release tight fascia.
Visualization in Sport
Visualization in sport - can you use mental rehearsal to improve your performance?
ACL Injury Prevention Plyo
ACL Injury Prevention Program Plyometrics is a highly specific training session to decrease the number of ACL injuries incurred by female soccer players.
How to Safely Ice an Injury
How to Safely Ice an Injury
Common Sports Injuries
A list of the most common sports injuries, treatment and prevention
Golf Injuries
The most common golf injuries occur in the lower back, elbows, shoulders, hands and wrists, and are generally defined as either cumulative (overuse) or acute (traumatic) injuries
Balance and Proprioception
How a few simple balance training and proprioception exercises can improve performance and reduce injuries.
Alphabetical Injury List
Alphabetical List of Common Sports Injuries and Pain
How to Get Fit Fast
Tips for athletes who want to improve the effectiveness of their training programs and exercise sessions.
Bicycling Injuries
Information about common pain and injuries in bicyclists.
Football Injuries
Football injuries are common and range from minor annoying aches and pains to serious injuries.
Bursitis of the Elbow
Bursitis of the Elbow - Pain behind the elbow
Hyponatremia
Can athletes get too much water? Hyponatremia has become more prevalent as more people are participating in endurance sports.
Tendinitis of the Wrist
Tendinitis of the Wrist
Growth Plate Injuries
General information about growth plate injuries., including what the growth plate is, how injuries occur, and how they are treated
Certified Athletic Trainer
Job descriptions and training needed to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).
Ankle Anatomy and Physiology
Ankle Anatomy and Physiology
ACL Injury Prevention Warm-up
ACL Injury Prevention Warm-up is a highly specific 15-minute training session that replaces the traditional warm-up and decrease the number of ACL injuries incurred by female soccer players.
Best Ab Exercise Equipment
Exercise products and equipment to help you find those six-pack abs.
ACL Injury Prevention Program
ACL Injury Prevention Training Program was created to decrease the number of ACL injuries in female soccer players.
What Is VO2 Max?
VO2 max or maximal oxygen uptake is one factor that can determine an athlete’s capacity to perform sustained aerobic efforts. It refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that an athlete can use during maximal or exhaustive exercise.
When Can I Return To Play A...
If you have had a recent injury one of your main concerns may be how soon you can return to play. The answer to this question is not always easy because each athlete and each injury is unique.
Shoulder Anatomy Physiology
Descriptions of the structures of the shoulder joint including muscles and tendons of the shoulder.
Cortisone
Glucocorticoids (prednisone and cortisone) are often used in injections for joint inflammation and pain.
Stationary - Spin - Biking
Good bicycle positioning, even on a stationary or spin bicycle, is critical to cycling comfort and efficiency. Here are tips for adjusting your bicycle to avoid pain or injury.
Should I Exercise With a Cold?
Should I Exercise With a Cold?

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