Thinking Critically About How to Do Push-Ups

Thinking Critically About How to Do Push-Ups

When explaining how to do push-ups, fitness instructors often warn clients to not lower their shoulders below their elbows. Here’s why that advice is misleading. Regular practitioners of yoga are familiar with the transition from plank pose to chaturanga, or low plank, in which the yogi mimics the downward phase … Read more

Study Links Highly Cushioned Running Shoes to Higher Impact Load

Study Links Highly Cushioned Running Shoes to Higher Impact Load

In June I wrote about the fallacy of heel striking while running, and the mistaken belief that running shoes with thick, cushioned heels are a safe alternative to learning to run properly. A new study published by the Spaulding National Running Center at Harvard Medical School offers further evidence that cushioned … Read more

The Fallacy of Heel Striking

The Fallacy of Heel Striking

This month, I continue my critical exploration of commonly held beliefs in the health and fitness community (see my February article on the fallacy of icing injuries) with a look at heel striking while running. Let us begin with two thought experiments, the first of which requires some movement. Thought … Read more

The Fallacy of Ice Therapy

The Fallacy of Ice Therapy

As part of my day job as a forensic scientist, I expect to someday testify on a case and have a snarky defense attorney ask me how an undergraduate philosophy degree has any value in my analysis of firearms and fired evidence. My answer is that I use the critical … Read more