Have you ever had that pain in the back of your leg while running down the field or court? Do you still wonder why you can’t touch your toes?  The hamstrings play an important role in running and can be easily injured if not flexible. Tight hamstrings can lead to low back and knee pain as well. The primary function …

Regular aerobic exercise, such as running or using a stationary bike, makes your muscles use oxygen more efficiently and strengthens your heart and lungs. When you strength train with weights, you’re using your muscles to work against the extra pounds (this concept is called resistance). This strengthens and increases the amount of muscle mass in your body by making your …

Learning how to focus and get something done is about more than just good grades — it’s the foundation for success in life. Mastering the skills of getting organized, staying focused and seeing work through to the end will help in just about everything you do. You probably know the basics by now, but here’s a helpful refresher. Get Organized …

When you were a little kid, your parents usually chose your friends, putting you in playgroups or arranging playdates with certain children they knew and liked. Now that you’re older, you decide who your friends are and what groups you spend time with. Your friends — your peers — are people your age or close to it who have experiences …

You’ve probably heard your parents talk about the importance of making a good first impression on a job interview. Their “dress for success” talk may sound like a lecture, but they;re are right. Here are some additional tips to help you do your best at your next job interview. Dress the part. Even if the job you’re applying for involves …

The Centers for Disease Control reported that heat illness was a leading cause of death and disability of high school athletes from 2005-2009.  Fortunately, heat illness is 100 percent preventable with the appropriate knowledge and procedures in place. While about 70 percent of high school athletes who suffer from heat illness are football players, girls volleyball and girls soccer are …

Do you ever notice how the person on the cover of your favorite fashion, teen or celebrity magazine doesn’t even vaguely resemble what most people around you look like?  Retouching techniques, which include airbrushing, create an image of someone that is unrealistic.  Their features become too perfect — unachievable by most human standards.  In fact, it isn’t uncommon for the …

For ages, the squat was the most widely used exercise to improve lower body strength. As the strength and conditioning profession has evolved, the emphasis on many programs has switched to single-leg exercises to improve strength, power, stability and performance. This is not to say that the squat should no longer be a part of your strength program, but that …

A sprained ankle is a very common injury for teens — athletes and non-athletes alike. It happens when the ligaments that support the ankle get overly stretched or torn. Sprained ankles can happen when you step in a hole, slip walking downhill or just put your weight down on your foot awkwardly. Some sprained ankles are minor injuries that heal …

Each year, high school student-athletes have dreams of being recruited and offered scholarships. For many families, the entire recruiting process is completely overwhelming, misleading and frustrating, because families may not understand what is involved in college recruiting. College recruiting is a game, like any other sport athletes have ever played. An athlete must practice in order to play, and he …