My name is Shaun Linse, and I've been a member of RTB for 14 years. Those of you that don't know me personally may know me as Disco Lady who dances at the Lake Meridian Triathlon. I am reaching out to this community because I have always felt that all members have supported each other, whether you're an elite athlete or not. I have always felt cheered on while racing. Normally when there is a hot-button topic or political agenda, I have kept my mouth shut on any social media sites because I did not want the backlash or to engage in argument. Lately, I have been stepping out of my shell and speaking on something that is very personal to my family. All of this outrage of racism that is going on in the world is very disturbing to me. I am afraid that people are not understanding and missing the message. I would like to share a couple stories with you because my own family members and other black professionals can't always express their opinions because that could cause them problems in their jobs, which is very sad. They must suffer in silence. My son is of mixed race, my daughter-in-law is black, and then I have an adorable grandson. My son and his family came home from having dinner out. While walking up to their house, a man approached them and asked, "Where did the white people go that lived here? How could they let you live here? How can you even afford a place like this?" My son took his family inside, did not engage, and locked the door. They have to suffer in silence. My son's good friend who is a well-known sportscaster has been pulled over 19 times and had his car searched many occasions because he is black. He was never been arrested because he didn't do anything wrong. Again, he must suffer in silence. My daughter-in-law's sister just graduated Bellermine Prep and came home crying to her mother, "Why are we treated this way?" She has a basketball scholarship for Gonzaga University and is great student. Her mom said, "Just focus on the positive things." She did go out and protested trying to be heard but all people see is the thugs. There are many more stories out there that are unheard because people have been crying for years, and it has just been swept under the rug. People don't believe it exists. I feel most divide is because of ignorance. I don't think most people want to be racist or prejudice towards anyone. I myself have kept quiet on this issue with lots of my friends and colleagues because it lands on deaf ears, and it's just too painful. It's also much easier than stepping out of your comfort zone and having this conversation. Today is a new day, and I am going to step out of that comfort and project my voice. I ask each of you to try to listen and have conversations with your black friends and other ethnicities to see what their story is. The more we hear, the more we communicate, just maybe we can all come together as a country!! Thank you for listening!! By Holly Pennington, PT, DPT/Outpatient Physical Therapy As the COVID-19 spreads throughout our region, tragically claiming too many lives close to home, triathletes face new dilemmas about exercise and illness. While there are no easy or straightforward answers to our practical questions (Should I go to the gym? Is the swimming pool safe? What about the pull buoys and kickboards? Will my upcoming race be canceled? And, if it’s not, should I get on a plane to get there?), we do know a few things about the effects of exercise on the immune system. Surprisingly, as recently as the 1980’s, scientists believed that regular exercise had no effect on the rate or severity of infections. Contrast this with today’s prevailing cultural belief that active people are healthier, and we catch a glimpse of how much has changed in the past two decades. There is now a plethora of research citing the connection between regular physical activity and reduction of illnesses ranging from acute infections to chronic diseases. Today, it is widely accepted that moderate intensity exercise improves the immune response to respiratory viral infections. In a study of over 1000 adults, frequency of aerobic exercise was associated with reduced frequency and severity of symptoms of upper respiratory infections. An 18% reduction in risk infection was associated with high levels of physical activity in a scientific report of more than 1500 Swedish men and women. Some researchers believe physical activity decreases inflammation within the respiratory tract and activates the immune response. Of particular relevance to triathletes during the COVID-19 outbreak may be the controversial topic of how episodes of vigorous, prolonged exercise affect the immune system. Until a pivotal study published in 2018, the “open-window” hypothesis ruled in exercise science. According to this theory, there is a window of time following vigorous and/or prolonged physical activity in which the immune system is compromised, and, therefore, more vulnerable to opportunistic (bacterial, viral, fungal, etc.) infections. The “open-window” hypothesis is highly influenced by early studies in exercise immunology that focused on runners who, in the days and weeks following marathon races, reported upper respiratory infections. However, in these studies, infection incidence was measured by self-reported symptoms, not laboratory tests. (When it comes to bacterial and viral infections, self-reports and positive clinical tests are not highly correlated.) Authors of the 2018 report challenge the “open-window” hypothesis for this and other reasons. They cite multiple studies that conclude athletes who participate in the largest volume of aerobic activity - ultramarathon runners – miss significantly less work per year due to illness than the general population. In summary, according to these researchers, “It is important to highlight that there are as many epidemiological studies showing that regular exercise reduces infections as there are studies showing exercise increases infections, and that these studies are often overlooked in the exercise immunology literature.” So far, we have two take home messages: 1) moderate exercise has a known positive effect on the immune system over the lifespan and 2) current research supports the idea that even vigorous and/or prolonged activities may protect athletes from infection. Good news for triathletes who want to keep on training as usual, right? Most likely, but…
Exercise does not protect you from COVID-19! Of course, there are many factors to consider as you look at your training program and race schedule in upcoming months. For example, we do know that air travel and mass gatherings, both of which are often associated with Ironman and other triathlon competitions, are known to increase infection risk for everyone. (Check here for the latest COVID-19 Ironman updates.) Also, where you exercise matters. For some perspectives on going to the gym during the outbreak see here and here, and inquire about how your facility is handling the situation. Regarding the pool, current thinking is that the risk of contracting infection in the locker room or shower is higher than in the swimming pool, as long as the pool is properly chlorinated. However, the “rapidly evolving” Coronavirus situation demands that we stay informed with new findings and developments in this uncharted territory. In conclusion, we have scientific reasons to believe that exercise is good for our immune systems. And we also have questions that no one knows the answers to right now. But, perhaps more importantly, we have these timeless truths: Triathletes are people who persevere, triathlon communities such as Raise The Bar are groups of athletes who encourage each other through the hardest times, and the sport of triathlon exists to bring goodness and hope to the world. So, go train wisely and bring out all the triathlon good! By Holly Pennington, PT, DPT Take a deep, slow breath and close your eyes. Imagine your ideal run. Go through all of your five senses. What do your surroundings look like? How do your legs feel? What scents are in the air? What do you hear that soothes you? How does a fresh drink of water taste on your tongue? Whether you pictured yourself enjoying the flow of a fast run on a cool, fall morning or settling into the rhythm of an easy pace on a warm, summer evening, chances are that you are among the majority of runners who wish your “ideal” happened more often. You may start your workouts with high hopes, encounter unexpected cramps or fatigue, power your way through with a mix of determination and iTunes distractions, then settle for the satisfaction of checking a mileage and/or time goal off of your list. But, what if your time spent running could be consistently enjoyable? What if the feelings associated with your ideal run could be experienced more often than not? Enter mindful running, a technique that may help you do exactly this. The positive benefits of mindfulness meditation are practically endless. From easing physical pain to improving feelings of loneliness, mindfulness can play a significant role. Typically, it is performed seated with a still body and plenty of athletes advocate for the addition of this type of meditation to a training program. However, scientific research and running experts have started asking questions about the benefits of practicing mindfulness during exercise. So far, research suggests that those who intentionally focus on the feeling of movement and pay attention to their surroundings enjoy exercise more than those who do not, and feel less stressed, anxious and depressed. Mindful running draws from this research and incorporate elements of mindfulness meditation into training, helping runners tune into the present moment and focus attention on the body, mind and environment during the act of running. Through training the mind, the full experience of the body improves, enhancing the natural, positive effects of the increased endorphins produced by running. Physical discomfort and pain are met with the nonjudgmental acceptance characteristic of mindfulness. Increased attention is placed on form, improving efficiency and flow. There are many ways to begin mindful running and a variety of resources to help you do so (see my list at the end of this article), but here are a few tips to get you going: Breathe before you begin: Before you start the clock, take a few deep, slow breaths. This signals your mind to become attuned to your body through breathing and shifts you into a less distracted mental state. Set your intention: Before you start the clock, find your focus for this particular workout. This is different than an objective goal like distance or time, as it shifts the focus to form and flow. (If you have questions about your running form, see the resource list below.) To set your intention, ask yourself questions like, “how do I want to feel during my run?” or “what specific aspect of my form do I want to focus on today?” Count something: If you are new to mindfulness, counting your breaths or footfalls as you run will help your mind and body stay connected. When you get to 10, start over and when your mind drifts from the count, simply return to where you left off and continue. No judgment! Use a mantra. Choose a short phrase that is meaningful to you to repeat in your mind as you run, such as “be here now” or “breathe in, breathe out.” Ditch the earbuds. To be fully present in your mind and body as you run, the elimination of distractions such as music and podcasts is a must. (exception: mindful running meditation apps!) If you can’t bear the thought of a device-free run, start small. Try 5 minutes of mindfulness before starting your playlist. Pay attention to your surroundings. Direct your attention to the sights, smells and sounds around you for a fully embodied run. Try a 3-2-1 pattern where you name 3 pleasing sights, 2 soothing sounds and 1 pleasant smell. Or, focus on sights for 3 minutes, sounds for 2 minutes and smells for 1 minute. Start small. As with building any new habit, start small and build incrementally. Try mindfulness intervals, where you focus on counting your breaths for 5 minutes then switch to your familiar running routine for 5 minutes. Or try alternating a 3-2-1 pattern for 6 minutes with a 4-minute return to your usual habits. Mindful Running Resources Books: Running with the Mind of Meditation: Lessons for Training Body and Mind by Sakyong Mipham Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory by Deena Kastor The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance by George Mumford Apps: Run Mindful Headspace (Search for specific running meditations) Running Form Assessments: www.outpatientpt.com (contact a clinic near you to find a PT who specializes in running assessments) Article by RTB Sponsor: Holly Pennington, PT, DPT/Outpatient Physical Therapy If you are one of the 60% of cyclists suffering from neck pain, you have probably already gone down the bike fit road. Everything from the incline of your saddle to how your helmet fits can cause extra strain on the muscles and joints of the cervical spine. But what do you do when the angles on your bike are correct, your gear fits, and your neck still hurts? Just like bicycles, our bodies are intricate machines that need fine tuning to operate at their optimal level. Due to the flexed position of the lower (lumbar) and middle (thoracic) spine while cycling, the demand on the upper (cervical) spine musculature is high. When muscles that were created to support the neck are neglected and/or joints below the cervical spine become stiff, pain arises. And, a tune-up is necessary! Let’s look at three common musculoskeletal dysfunctions that contribute to neck pain in triathletes who spend a significant amount of time in the saddle. Deep Neck Flexor Weakness Most likely the phrase “core strengthening” brings planks, crunches and maybe even Kegel exercises to mind. Lower abdominals, deep low back muscles and pelvic floor muscles that support the lumbar spine dominate the “focus on the core” movement. But the reality is that there are core muscles of the cervical spine also. The deep neck flexors are a group of muscles with fancy names like longus coli and rectus capitus whose primary function is to support the neck. These small, neglected muscles traverse the front of the cervical spine and are the abdominals of the neck. When was the last time you did a few sets of neck crunches? Unless in distress, these muscles rarely get exercise, so they shrink and become weak. When they are not strong enough to fulfill their purpose as support for the 11-pound head sitting above them, other muscles compensate. Specifically, the trapezius muscle (which runs from the base of the skull to the shoulder) is recruited to work overtime to support the weight of the head. Overworked muscles become tight and painful, so the trapezius muscle becomes a source of neck pain. Deep neck flexor training is needed to restore the muscular balance around the cervical spine. Specific exercises (not neck crunches!) individualized for your unique cervical spine curvature build strength in these muscles and, simultaneously, relieve neck pain. Thoracic Spine Stiffness One of the key features of the cyclist’s position on the bike is spinal flexion. Both the lumbar and thoracic portions of the spine must be flexed (or rounded) to achieve aerodynamic positioning. This demand comes more naturally to the lumbar spine than the thoracic. Because the middle spine attaches to the ribs to protect key organs like the lungs and heart, the vertebrae in the thoracic spine naturally move less. They do not respond well to flexion for prolonged periods, so they stiffen with time. When this happens, more strain is placed on the areas above the tight areas (i.e. the lower cervical spine) to maintain the position needed to cycle. Just like our bikes, our bodies will get the job done somehow. The question is, how efficient are they? Thoracic spine mobility exercises and joint mobilizations that address the specific stiff segments balance the demand for spinal flexion and relieve the stress on the cervical spine. C/T Junction Strain The area where the neck meets the middle spine is called the cerivicothoracic junction or C/T junction. You can easily find this important joint by feeling down your neck for the knob-like bone at the base of your neck. At the C/T junction, the natural curve of the spine changes from extension to flexion. Cycling requires exaggeration of the normal cervical and thoracic curves (more extension in the neck and more flexion in the mid-back than what is required for most activities), which puts extra stress on the junction where the curve changes. Think of it like a busy interaction – increased traffic means more accidents and more wear and tear on the roads. The C/T junction responds to increased strain by becoming restricted, which places increased loads on the areas above and below it, similar to thoracic spine stiffness. When the cervical spine above the C/T junction is required to move more, it also needs even more support from the deep neck flexors. The vicious cycle begins! To restore motion in the C/T junction, manual therapy that focuses on joint mobilization combined with deep neck flexor training is necessary. Optimal spinal health is of paramount importance for cyclists and is difficult to achieve without professional assistance. Remember, your body is the most complicated machine you have and care beyond smart triathlon training is needed at times. When your bike fits but your neck still hurts, get help! Physical therapists at Outpatient Physical Therapy are specialists in deep neck flexor training and spinal joint mobilization. Call one of the 8 King/Pierce County locations to schedule your evaluation: www.outpatientpt.com |
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September 2023
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