Power is the ability to produce force quickly. It is the product of force and the velocity of muscle contraction. A 2020 randomized cross-over study published in PeerJ (Helland et al.) compared a strength-oriented session with a power-oriented session of equal work. The study gives us something rare: a matched list of strength exercises and power exercises, with the loads, tempos, and recovery data that go with them. That list can become a working program. What the Study Tested Sixteen...

Why Physical Activity Matters in Later Life Physical Activity is the strongest protection seniors have in later life. Television, reading, meals, and long drives all happen in a chair, and the hours add up. In the research, though, the most active adults showed no increased cardiovascular mortality with more sedentary time. Staying active is what changes the outcome. What the Research Examined A 2019 pooled analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, led by Ekelund and...

California has always been a sports state, but the real story right now is how many women's professional teams call it home. From the beaches of San Diego to the Bay Area and beyond, the state has become a place where women's pro sports are not an afterthought but a fixture, with new teams arriving and fans filling the stands. Whether you grew up here or are just visiting, there is almost certainly a women's pro team playing within driving distance of you, in a sport you may not have realized...

Roller derby looks like a modern, punk-rock invention, but women have been in it since the day it began. Here is where it started, whether the skaters got paid, who they are today, and which California leagues lead the way. 1. Roller derby began in Chicago in 1935 Roller derby was born on August 13, 1935, at the Chicago Coliseum. Promoter Leo Seltzer had made his name on Depression-era walkathons, and he needed something more exciting to draw crowds. His Transcontinental Roller Derby was a...

A-League Women: https://aleagues.com.au AFL Women's: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw Athletes Unlimited Softball League: https://www.theausl.com Brasileirão Feminino: https://www.cbf.com.br Damallsvenskan: https://damallsvenskan.se Frauen-Bundesliga: https://www.dfb.de/frauen-bundesliga Ladies European Tour: https://ladieseuropeantour.com LPGA: https://www.lpga.com LOVB: https://lovb.com Liga F: https://ligaf.es Liga MX Femenil: https://ligamx.net Major League Volleyball:...

Muscle loss is one of the most overlooked health threats of aging. It rarely announces itself, yet it quietly drains vitality and strength and can leave people frail and dependent. Strength training is the most effective tool we have against it, and the research on why is compelling. What Skeletal Muscle Is and Why Strength Training Targets It Skeletal muscle is the tissue we control voluntarily, as when we flex a biceps or lift a grocery bag. It is made of bundles of muscle fibers, each...

As the global population ages, researchers and healthcare professionals continuously search for reliable indicators of health, vitality, and life expectancy. While traditional metrics like cardiovascular endurance and blood pressure have long dominated clinical assessments, recent scientific literature places a spotlight on a different physical attribute. A comprehensive study published in JAMA Network Open has investigated how muscular strength is associated with mortality risk in older...

Developing a fitness program involves much more than creating a collection of exercises. Effective fitness program development requires a clear purpose, appropriate movement patterns, practical delivery methods, and the specialized knowledge necessary to turn an idea into a structured program. Two separate projects are currently seeking specialized collaborators. One involves the continued development of LA Style Disc Dance™, an existing movement concept that needs choreography...

Senior fitness is often discussed as though growing older automatically means becoming weaker, slower, and less physically capable. Research provides a different perspective. A Harvard Medical School study examined whether women age 70 and older with mobility limitations could improve their physical capabilities through a specific form of resistance training. The results provide important evidence for what senior fitness can accomplish when exercise is designed around strength, power, and...

Choosing the right course is the first step toward gaining new knowledge, developing a skill, or participating in a structured learning experience. Laura Artman offers both online and in-person courses, giving participants options for how they want to learn and how often they want to attend. Courses can be attended as an occasional learning experience or scheduled on a monthly basis. This flexibility allows participants to select the format and frequency that fits their interests, schedules,...

I’m excited to announce that I am currently taking the Zumba® instructor licensing course and expect to complete the training by October 31. Once I complete the Zumba Basic 1 Instructor Training, I will be licensed to teach Zumba classes. Zumba is a music-driven fitness program that combines dance-inspired movement with aerobic exercise. It brings together music, rhythm, choreography, and continuous movement to create a workout that feels different from a traditional exercise...

It Started With Movement LA Style Disc Dance began naturally—with music, movement, experimentation, and a desire to keep moving. While I was still dealing with the effects of Lyme disease, I casually began experimenting with movement. I started combining music, rhythm, two paddles, and a Kush Ball. Then I began moving while doing it—dancing, walking, skipping, running, changing direction, and even walking backward. What started as movement became increasingly engaging because...