Blog

Training The Finger Extensors For Rock Climbers

Rock climbing is a challenging sport. However, training for climbing might be an even more challenging endeavor. To rock climb well requires developing strength, endurance, power, mobility, and sport specific skill. Moreover, it requires developing all of those areas for the entirety of the body due to the whole body nature of the sport. However,...

Cyclists Have Lower Risk Of Symptomatic Knee Arthritis

Research continues to be published highlighting the importance of exercise for the treatment and prevention of knee arthritis.  Our previous blogs have described active participants in weekly exercise have a lower risk of knee arthritis compared to their sedentary peers.  This latter group has the greatest risk of symptomatic knee arthritis due in part to...

Prevention And Treatment Of Hamstring Strains

Background Hamstring injuries are one of the most common injuries in athletics accounting for up to 20% of all sports injuries (Wing et al. 2020).  Injuries can be both acute due to a traumatic injury or overuse in nature due to exposure to higher training volumes over time.  Both types of injuries can lead to...

Does Playing Soccer Cause Knee Arthritis?

Our understanding of knee arthritis has changed significantly over the last 10 years with greater research on knee cartilage as well as the process of arthritis.  Knee arthritis remains one of the most common diagnoses we see in our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics.  We have moved away from the old “wear...

Taking The Stairs Could Extend Your Lifespan

Nearly half of all Americans do not reach the recommended levels of strength training or aerobic exercise each week.  These sedentary habits lead to a higher health risk for many chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.  Previous research has shown time is one of the major barriers to completing an exercise program...

What Is The Best Number Of Sets For Muscle Size?

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy clinics we are often working with patients to restore and/or improve their muscle strength.  Strength is a measurement of force production from a muscle based primarily on the ability to coordinate the nervous system and a given muscle, as well as, a muscle’s size.  Strength can...

Treating IT Band Pain In Cyclists

Are you an avid cyclist experiencing discomfort along the outside of your thigh, especially during the bottom phase of your cycling motion? You might be dealing with IT band pain, a common issue among recreational cyclists. The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick band of fascia that runs along the outside of the thigh, connecting...

Consistent Exercise Reduces Harmful Effects Of Reduced Sleep

In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy offices all of our patients are seeking care at Mend to get back to the activities they enjoy.  All of us would like to get more high quality life out the years we have left.  The research in this area can be summed up easily.  Consistently...