News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sorted by date Results 76 - 96 of 96
Alzheimer's disease hits close to home. It is an immensely challenging experience to watch a loved one suffer from cognitive decline. Alzheimer's currently affects more than five million people in the United States, and with the growth of the demographic over the age 65, that figure is expected to double within 20 years. Alzheimer's is a condition in which gradual mental impairment progressively destroys the function of the brain. The mechanism of this degeneration is the cells' connections or the cells themselves dying in... Full story
Recent banter between a colleague and a fitness enthusiast led to the question: If you could only do four exercises, which ones would be chosen? Interesting question. Some local experts in the field were asked this question to get a variety perspectives. Jason Gully, DPT, Green Ridge Physical Therapy: • Squats: They use a large amount of lower extremity muscles and functional movement patterns. • Single-leg exercise on an unstable surface: Whether you are a high-level athlete or a sedentary individual,... Full story
Weight loss is touted as one of the top benefits from exercise. But what if the correlation to exercise and weight loss were not as strong as was once thought? If a person exercises, they are burning calories. If they consume less than they burn, the body transfers stored energy. This is a very simple way to look at it, but the process is much more dynamic than a lot of people understand. This is why exercise alone will not account to substantial weight loss. Calories are the units used to measure how much energy is in food.... Full story
With 2016 drawn to a close and a new beginning on the horizon, many people are putting their past behind them and moving forward with vigor. 2016 was a stellar year in fitness, with a number of interesting breakthroughs. Here is a rundown of a few. Ultra-marathons reach an all time peak: Marathons anymore are for Average Joes, with the consensus from many fitness enthusiasts that 26.2 is for soccer moms and AARP members. The new fitness and fortitude test is 50-100k through mountains and forests without course marshals every... Full story
The holidays are here and it's time to get creative with gift ideas for the loved ones. For the fitness enthusiast, there are plenty of great ideas at any price-point. Less than $25: A pair of merino blend socks will be a hit with anyone who is active. They are warm, wick moisture, and allow the foot to breathe. Merino wool socks are well worth the extra cost. It may sound like a cliché to get someone socks for a holiday gift, but these will be a definite upgrade for anyone. $25-50: Bluetooth headphones. Wires can be... Full story
9 is drawing nearer to an end, and the holiday season is here. With cold weather and short days, celebration with family and friends is an appropriate way to maintain sanity and enjoy the waning days of the year. Often, the holiday season is an easy excuse for gluttony and indulgence. This lapse of self-control leads to added pounds and waist measurements. Anyone who is attempting to keep their diet in check is faced with a difficult road. It's not easy or feasible to exclude the foods that everyone else is enjoying;... Full story
Everyone knows exercise offers physical benefits. It is undisputed that exercise improves the heart, lungs, and muscles. Exercise also can effectively enhance body composition by burning extra calories, and makes changes to become more resilient to metabolic disorders. However, exercise isn't only working on these systems, and it may have more profound effects on other areas as well. As one exercises, heart rate, breath rate, and body chemistry adjust. Increased blood flow, release of chemicals, and mobilization of stored... Full story
Any endurance athlete knows the body in motion is burning carbohydrates for fuel. When the muscles run out of the stored carbohydrate, they synthesize fats into substrates similar to carbs to continue the movement. The body is an efficient machine refining its fuels into usable carbohydrate fuel. What one might overlook however, is the importance of protein for an endurance athlete. Weightlifters and other power athletes have been evangelizing its importance, but endurance athletes have often eschewed massive amounts of prote... Full story
Most people understand that good posture is critical to their health and well-being, but many don't know the why or how to improve posture. One's posture is a system of integrated joints, muscles, and fascia all working in relation to each other. This relationship determines many problems people face as imperfections manifest themselves over time into discomfort, pain, and, sometimes, injury. When working on posture, be mindful of the interconnected system, and this relationship. It is a give-and-take that often provides... Full story
This time of year is all about aging - the decaying leaves of fall, released from the trees in their brilliant flame of color; the turn of seasons from summer to winter. It's the cycle of life, which we all must accept. Once the sands of time start to fall, the cascade is perpetual. As long as humans have been alive, defying age has been a topic of great interest. With the technology available today, new frontiers of age-related medicine are being pioneered - with some surprising findings. Aging is a biological process that... Full story
A trio of Sisters women each possess a penchant for pushing their bodies to the limit and exploring the depths of fortitude through ultra endurance running. The Sisters women - Ashley Nordell, Rebecca Touvelle, and Riva Johnson - have each competed in many ultra endurance events. Off the trail, these stellar endurance athletes don't look like superwomen; they look much like many of the people seen on sidewalks or in line at the coffee shop. They have kids in the schools, they... Full story
Any endurance athlete knows the body in motion is burning carbohydrates for fuel. When the muscles run out of the stored carbohydrate, they synthesize fats into substrates similar to carbs to continue the movement. The body is an efficient machine, refining its fuels into usable carbohydrate fuel. What one might overlook however is the importance of protein for an endurance athlete. Weightlifters and other power athletes have been evangelizing it's importance, but endurance athletes have often eschewed massive amounts of... Full story
Exercise in the 21st century at times can be confusing, with over-complicated programs, expert gurus, and charts and graphs showing that the layman shouldn't even begin a program on her own. These notions poison the water for beginners, giving the illusion that productive exercise is an unattainable moonshot. Part of the job of a good exercise and health professional is to distill the textbooks, data, and journals down into actionable, easy-to-understand concepts. Poor professionals make it all seem harder than it should be,... Full story
Jason Gulley, a therapist with Green Ridge Physical Therapy, is no stranger to testing his endurance limits. He is a veteran of the Boston Marathon, the High Cascades 100-mile mountain bike race - and now an iconic event in the high country of Colorado. Gulley, originally from Vermont, is always out for the next big challenge. One event came into his crosshairs over a year ago - the Leadville trail 100 mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado. Leadville is the nation's... Full story
Sisters riders Joel and Shawna Palanuk are no strangers to grueling cycling events. They shake off Central Oregon's biggest climbs, and charge through technical sections on local trails. They put in big rides, embody the true spirit of cycling. This spirit guided them to a new challenge, as the couple took on one of the toughest mountain biking events available: The BC Bike Race, where they took third in the final stage and fourth place overall. The BC Bike Race is a... Full story
Golf is a popular activity in Sisters Country - but it brings with it some aches and pains. A quick review of the statistics reveal a common trend: Low back pain, elbow tendonitis, plantar (foot) tendonitis, knee pain, and shoulder pain. The repeated stress of twisting and explosive swinging put unaccustomed stress on the joints and surrounding tissues. These aches and pains can be avoided with a little preventative maintenance. To understand how to avoid these injuries one must first understand the mechanics of a golf... Full story
Feats of endurance and fortitude are not unfamiliar to Ashley Nordell, a Sisters woman who competes in ultra-endurance trail running. Nordell's most recent race, the Bighorn 100, tested her for over 21 hours, navigating rugged Wyoming trails. High altitude, a rough start, and tough course conditions did not stand in her way; Nordell won the race, and came away with a course record. Nordell, a mother of two toddlers, finds herself training with the philosophy of quality... Full story
The Mckenzie Pass on Highway 242 bridging Sisters to the Mckenzie River Recreation Area is not only a beautiful scene but a beacon for cyclists. The county typically keeps the road closed many months into spring, which means cyclists get to enjoy a closed road with a better experience and fewer nerves. On Saturday, Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) hosted a supported group ride with the intention of sharing the experience many in Sisters take advantage of all spring.... Full story
An inspiring event happened last week in Bend, as the state's most seasoned athletes arrived for the Oregon Senior Games. The senior games provide a testament to longevity the athletes possess for an active life. It's a showcase of refusing to succumb to the preconceptions of aging. It's a group of people who don't allow small setbacks or natural declines to stop them from enjoying the game; a pure showcase of sportsmanship. An aging body begins show signs of wear and tear. Aches, pains, and loss of muscle mass. Decreased per... Full story
With favorable weather, long days, and abundant forest trails, many recreational athletes in the Sisters community flock to the outdoors. Whether swinging a club, navigating a trail, or paddling across a lake, preparing oneself to take on the endeavors of these athletics ensures one's enjoyment and resilience to injury. Endurance is key, but fundamental core strength will help get you through the summer without injury - and increases performance. Recreational athletes use a variety of movements across many planes, and... Full story
What does a 28-year-old solar light technician, a nurse and mother of two children, and a 51-year-old regional healthcare developer all have in common? Each of these individuals live a seemingly standard day-to-day life, but on Sunday, May 31, they clicked into the pedals and lined up at the Sisters Stampede - and came away as first-place finishers. The Sisters Stampede, in it's seventh year, has solidified itself in the community of recreational cyclists as the biggest... Full story
