Marathon Running Is Booming—And So Are Questions About Its Impact on Your Heart Health
Marathon participation is surging, yet cases like Madison DiBattista’s reveal hidden cardiac risks. A rare congenital defect discovered after severe symptoms underscores how even elite‑level training can mask serious heart conditions. Studies show marathon‑related cardiac arrests are extremely rare—about 0.54 per 100,000 runners—but prolonged high‑volume endurance exercise can trigger transient biomarker spikes and increase atrial fibrillation prevalence. Experts advise balanced training, regular cardiac screening, and symptom vigilance to keep the benefits of running outweighing the risks.
Rickshaw Drivers in Madagascar Are Finding Their Way Into Ultrarunning
In Antsirabe, Madagascar, rickshaw drivers—who routinely travel 60 km a day pulling heavy loads—have formed Crown Athletics Club, an informal ultrarunning team. Leveraging their daily commutes as training, the group secured second and third place at the Mascareignes race on Réunion...
Your Grip Is the First Link in the Chain. Here's How to Stop Letting It Break
Most lifters treat grip as an afterthought, leaving it as the weakest link in heavy pulls. Grip failures—whether due to insufficient raw strength, a single finger giving out, or lack of focus—can abort a deadlift regardless of overall power. The...
‘He Is Like a Teacher to Me’: How Bumrah Bhaiyya Guided Mayank Yadav Through Career-Threatening Injury Comeback
Indian pacer Mayank Yadav, who suffered a series of back injuries that sidelined him in IPL 2024 and 2025, has completed rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Veteran fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who underwent the same surgery,...
UltraRunning Apr/May 2026
UltraRunning's April/May 2026 issue spotlights Jennifer Lichter's Black Canyon 100k victory, earning a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100. The magazine blends training insights, including a debate on AI‑generated training plans, with deep dives into mountain ultra strategies. Additional...
Rousey vs Carano: What Age Does to Strength and Performance
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will headline a Netflix‑broadcast MMA showdown on May 16, 2026, reigniting debate over the so‑called “over‑35 curse.” Sports‑medicine experts warn that sarcopenia, slower recovery and weaker connective tissue increase injury risk for fighters past their...
How to Train for Hills Without Hills, According to Coaches
Cyclists in flat regions can still train for hills by using high‑gear, low‑cadence intervals, leveraging headwinds, and focusing on climbing posture. Coaches Patrick Carey and Ann Trombley recommend zone 3‑4 efforts on flat or rolling terrain, and specific interval structures that...
How to Increase Your Deadlift, According to Someone Who Pulls 880 Pounds
Sam Shethar, an amateur strongman who deadlifts 880 lb, shares a step‑by‑step roadmap for lifters stuck at intermediate plateaus. He argues that flawless form—flat back, proper hip hinge—trumps raw intensity and recommends temporarily shedding weight to refine technique. Complementary movements such...
What You Need To Know About Taking Supplements As an Athlete
Athletes increasingly rely on dietary supplements to boost performance, recovery, and overall health, but product safety and efficacy vary widely. Experts advise selecting third‑party certified supplements, such as Informed Sport or NSF Certified for Sport, to ensure they are free...
Kat Matthews Prioritizes Sleep Above Training. You Should Too
British triathlete Kat Matthews secured the $200,000 Ironman Pro Series prize by pairing rigorous training with disciplined sleep habits, aiming for at least eight hours nightly. She adjusts workouts when rest falls short, a strategy echoed by fellow elite athletes...
Do Weighted Vests Really Burn More Calories? What My Data Showed
Assistant health editor Ava Durgin tested a 12‑lb weighted vest during identical one‑hour walks to see if it boosts calorie burn. Over two weeks, the vest produced virtually identical distance, step count, and calorie estimates compared to unweighted walks. The...
New Resistance Training Guidelines Debunk 3 Myths for Stronger Muscles
The American College of Sports Medicine released its first resistance‑training update in 17 years, issuing a 2026 Position Stand grounded in 137 systematic reviews and over 30,000 participants. The new guidelines discard long‑standing myths—such as training to failure, the necessity...
Rethinking Workout Frequency in a Travel-Driven Lifestyle
The article challenges the common belief that more frequent workouts guarantee faster results, especially for frequent travelers whose routines are disrupted by flights and hotel gyms. It argues that balancing intensity, recovery, and adaptable, equipment‑free sessions yields better long‑term progress...
You Need More Protein If You’re Working Hard in the Gym—Here’s How Much
People who train regularly need substantially more protein than the standard dietary allowance. Sports dietitian Sarah Gilbert notes the U.S. RDA is 0.8 g/kg, while performance nutrition experts like Raiders’ Ricky Ng recommend 1.6–2.4 g/kg for strength and endurance athletes. In addition...
The Skeptic’s Guide to Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy, once a niche biohacking tool, is now entering mainstream consumer products after NASA’s 1990s experiments revealed wound‑healing benefits. Clinical research links the light’s stimulation of mitochondrial ATP production to improved collagen synthesis, muscle recovery, and potential neurological...
Calculate Your VO2 Max at Home in Just 5 Minutes, No Complex Lab Tests Needed
A 2021 study introduced a simple equation that estimates a cyclist’s VO2 Max from a five‑minute maximal power output expressed in watts per kilogram. The formula (VO2 Max = 16.6 + 8.87 × relative power) demonstrated an adjusted R² of 0.988 when compared with traditional graded exercise tests....
Your Form Can Make or Break the Final Miles of a Race. Here’s How to Improve It in Training.
Runners often lose form in the final miles, increasing fatigue and injury risk. Exercise physiologist Kate Baird recommends targeting biomechanics through periodized training, focused strength work, breathing drills, and posture correction. By integrating form‑specific workouts during off‑season blocks and practicing...
The Belden Bar Trains What Your Bench Press Has Been Skipping for Years
The article highlights a common weakness in traditional bench‑press training: a lack of rotational shoulder work that leads to rotator‑cuff strain and long‑term imbalance. It introduces the Belden Bar, a 35‑pound rotational training system that slots into standard bumper plates,...
Screenless Wearable Fills Out Your Gym Card for Strength Training
Former Tesla engineers have launched Fort, a screenless fitness band that automatically records strength‑training reps, sets, and rest intervals. The device uses an inertial measurement unit and heart‑rate sensor to recognize more than 50 exercises and provide real‑time form feedback...
‘What Is Cricket Australia Even Doing?’: Ex-India Cricketer Slams CA’s Workload Management Plan as Starc, Cummins & Hazlewood Set to...
Cricket Australia has placed Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on a workload‑management program, meaning they will miss the opening matches of IPL 2026. The decision, aimed at preserving the pacers for an intensive Test schedule, sparked criticism from former...
Four Rules for Fueling that Every Senior Cyclist Should Follow, According to a Dietitian and Cycling Coach
Senior cyclists are being urged to overhaul outdated fueling habits by eating before, during, and after rides. Nutrition expert Namrita Brooke recommends ingesting roughly 50 grams of carbohydrates per hour on the bike to sustain performance. She also stresses timing...
Pre-Chemotherapy Exercise Demonstrates Potential to Alleviate Cancer-Related Fatigue
A recent clinical trial found that a structured pre‑chemotherapy exercise program significantly reduced cancer‑related fatigue. Participants who completed a 12‑week supervised regimen reported fatigue scores up to 30% lower than controls. The study, involving 150 early‑stage cancer patients, also showed...
How To Do A Romanian Deadlift With Proper Form, According To A Trainer
The article provides a step‑by‑step guide to performing Romanian deadlifts (RDLs) with correct form, citing experts from strength‑training backgrounds. It outlines the hip‑hinge technique, common mistakes such as excessive knee bend or rounding the back, and offers a beginner workout...
Exercises Every Woman Should Do To Support Bone Health, Per Doctors
Doctors and fitness experts stress that weight‑bearing resistance training is essential for women to maintain bone density and stave off osteoporosis. A 2022 Endocrinology study links strength exercises to improved skeletal strength, especially for post‑menopausal women who can lose up...
Century Training Mistakes Cyclists Make and How to Avoid Them
Cyclists training for a 100‑mile century often mismanage intensity, volume, and nutrition, jeopardizing performance. Coaches Pav Bryan and Samuel Thompson stress riding easy days in Zone 2, executing VO₂ max intervals, and gradually building mileage. They also warn against over‑reliance on FTP,...
Is It Normal for Heart Rate to Run High on Race Day? Here’s How to Zero in on the Right...
Half‑marathon runners are advised to use heart‑rate data strategically on race day rather than ignoring it. Experts recommend staying within 70 %–90 % of one’s maximum heart rate, calculated via the Tanaka equation, and pairing this metric with a perceived exertion rating...
7 Hamstring Stretches Recommended by a Physical Therapist
Physical therapist Marissa Cummo explains that prolonged sitting shortens the hamstrings, leading to tightness, back pain, and injury risk. She outlines primary causes—inactivity, overuse, injury, and muscle imbalances—and details the consequences of tight hamstrings on posture and mobility. Cummo recommends...
5 Common Tennis Injuries Of Weekend Warriors – And How To Avoid Them
Recreational tennis players, especially weekend warriors, face a high rate of preventable injuries due to inconsistent training and poor biomechanics. Experts Dr. Jordan Metzl and Dr. Howard Luks identify tennis elbow, shoulder overuse, knee strain, ankle sprains, and lower‑back pain...
AI-Powered Smart Ring Helps Entrepreneurs Track the Health Data to Drive Peak Performance
The aaboRing Health & Fitness Tracker Smart Ring, unveiled at CES 2025, offers AI‑driven health monitoring for entrepreneurs. Priced at $199.99 (down from $399), it continuously measures heart rate, HRV, SpO₂, respiratory rate, stress and sleep stages. Its AI engine...
The Choreography of Power: Why a Decade of Ballroom Dancing Is the Ultimate Strongman Secret
Polish athlete Adam Roszkowski turned a decade of elite ballroom dancing into a competitive edge for strongman events. The dance training gave him deep‑muscle connectivity, superior footwork, and injury resilience, allowing a 260‑lb body to sprint 40 yards in 4.7...
We Carry These 6 Runner-Approved Energy Gels on Training Runs and Race Day
The article reviews six runner‑approved energy gels, detailing each product’s carbohydrate count, calorie load, sodium level, caffeine content, and unique ingredients such as chia amino acids, hydrogel technology, or organic maple syrup. It highlights pros and cons, from gentle digestion...
The Puke Paradigm: The Truth About Training 'Till You Crawl Out
Veteran lifter Dave Tate argues that the long‑standing “train till you puke” mantra is counterproductive. Decades of experience show that pushing to the point of vomiting creates CNS fatigue and hampers recovery, turning a perceived badge of honor into a...
A Short-and-Sweet Regime to Protect Your Heart
Isometric exercise—holding static poses for two‑minute bouts—has emerged as a time‑efficient way to improve cardiovascular health. A 2023 meta‑analysis of nearly 16,000 participants showed that three weekly 14‑minute sessions cut systolic/diastolic blood pressure by 8.2/4.0 mmHg, roughly double the reduction achieved...
Is Pickleball Good Exercise?
Pickleball, a fast‑growing court sport, blends aerobic, interval and balance training, offering a comprehensive workout in a compact 20‑by‑44‑foot space. Physical therapist Jim Edwards highlights that players spend about 70 % of game time in moderate‑to‑vigorous heart‑rate zones, burning roughly 6‑10...
How To Become a Faster Runner
Sports‑medicine physician Dr. Dominic King outlines a systematic approach to running faster, emphasizing three pillars—form, agility, and power. He recommends mixing interval training, hill sprints, and shuttle runs with dedicated strength, flexibility, and breathing work. A weekly plan of two...
Science Shorts: Creatine Reference Intakes, Coffee Pulp Extract and Beetroot
The roundup presents new nutrition research ranging from a proposed dietary reference intake (AI) for creatine in adults to functional‑food studies showing coffee pulp extract lowers cholesterol and weight, beetroot juice improves post‑sprint agility in soccer players, KSM‑66 ashwagandha gummies...
Cottage Cheese Is Having a Moment, and Runners Should Join the Party
Cottage cheese is enjoying a resurgence among runners because a single cup delivers roughly 25 grams of high‑quality protein, making it an inexpensive post‑workout fuel. Sports dietitians recommend this protein level for muscle repair and glycogen replenishment. The article highlights texture‑friendly...
The CARE Programming System: Versatility in Performance
Strength and conditioning coach Ashley Jones outlines the CARE programming system—Core, Accessory, Rehab Exercise—as a versatile framework for rugby athletes. The model can serve as an entrée, main course, or standalone recovery block, adaptable to full‑body or split sessions with...
A Masterclass in Screaming Your Way Off the Crux
Patrick Allen attempted the 5.11a/b trad route Coarse and Buggy in Joshua Tree, using a series of loud power screams to power through its crux layback. Despite the vocal effort, he fell roughly 15 feet into the stem corner, underscoring the...
Does Cycling Build Muscle? Experts Explain
The article explains that cycling can contribute to muscle growth but is far less efficient than dedicated strength training. It distinguishes between hypertrophy and pure strength work, noting that beginners, older riders, and clinical populations can gain noticeable strength from...
How I Fixed My Sore Knee with 3 Simple Foam Roller Exercises You Can Do at Home
Cyclist Trevor Raab experienced recurring right‑knee soreness that persisted despite ice, rest, and ibuprofen. A certified trainer identified tight quads, calves, and poor core stability as the root causes and prescribed three daily foam‑roller exercises. After four weeks of 15‑30 minute...
Swim, Bike, or Run: Which Sport Determines Who Will Win a Triathlon?
A new data-driven study of over 18,500 Ironman‑distance finishes shows that the run, not the bike, remains the most decisive leg, accounting for 41 % of final‑position variance. However, the bike’s relative importance has risen, matching or surpassing the run in...
‘At 46, I Finally Found a Workout Routine I Want to Stick With. Now, I Feel Stronger and More Confident...
A 46‑year‑old member of F45 describes a five‑day weekly routine that blends resistance training, hybrid cardio‑resistance classes, and varied cross‑training activities. Over 1.5 years she added three pounds of muscle, lifted 33 lb dumbbells, and deadlifted over 100 lb, ranking second in a...
Florida’s Space Pirate
Pamela Chapman‑Markle, a 70‑year‑old UltraRunning ambassador, completed Florida’s Space Pirate 100‑mile ultramarathon in 21:33, finishing third among women and fourth overall. The race traced a point‑to‑point coastal route from Cape Canaveral to Jensen Beach, featuring a night‑time detour through Fort...
GE HealthCare, Springbok Analytics Team Up on MRI-Based Muscle Analysis for Sports Medicine, Human Performance Applications
GE HealthCare and Springbok Analytics have signed a development agreement to fuse Springbok’s AI‑driven muscle‑analysis platform with GE’s advanced MRI scanners. The collaboration will enable rapid, full‑body MRI exams to be transformed into detailed 3‑D maps that quantify up to...
How to Get Back Into Running This Spring
Winter’s extreme cold and snow left many runners deconditioned, disrupting training plans and canceling races across the U.S. As temperatures rise, experts warn that a sudden return to pre‑winter mileage can increase injury risk. Cardiologist Dr. Tamanna Singh and coach...
The RPE Scale Explained: How Lifters Use Effort to Drive Strength and Muscle Gains
The Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale lets lifters gauge effort instead of relying solely on fixed percentages of a one‑rep max. By estimating reps‑in‑reserve, athletes can adjust load daily to match sleep, stress, nutrition and fatigue levels. The article...
Try These Glute Exercises to Unlock Unshakeable Knees
Coach and ultrarunner Meg Takacs emphasizes glute medius conditioning to protect knee stability. She outlines four targeted exercises—Cossack squats, weighted glute bridges, abduction/adduction drills, and box step‑ups—each with scaling options. Proper form shifts load from the knee to the glutes,...
Simeon Panda Shoulder Workout: 4 Exercises to Build Bigger Delts, Strength & Upper Body Power
Fitness influencer Simeon Panda, with over 17 million followers, posted a four‑exercise shoulder routine on Instagram that emphasizes high volume. The program consists of seated Smith‑machine presses, standing dumbbell presses, dumbbell lateral raises, and reverse pec‑dec flyes, each performed for six...
Florida Runner Takes Barefoot Boston Marathon Training to Extremes
Terrence Concannon, a 24‑year‑old Tampa runner, is training to become the youngest athlete to complete the Boston Marathon barefoot, joining an exclusive group of five. His regimen blends unconventional strength drills—dumbbell kicks, fork stabs, toe‑knuckle rope jumps—with barefoot hikes, treadmill...