Muscle Talk
Jaime Filer
Jaime Filer graduated with a kinesiology degree from York University, where she was a varsity athlete. She’s also a former competitive bodybuilder who competed in drug-tested events throughout North America. If something new is trending in fitness, chances are Jaime’s already tried it!
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Health Zone
WOMEN FIND WINNERS MORE ATTRACTIVE
David Beckham. Ryan Lochte. Blake Griffi n. All attractive male athletes. More importantly, all winners! In a recent sociological study, 800 women and men were asked to rank the faces of male cyclists who were in the 2012 Tour de France on a scale of attractiveness. Without knowing (or taking into account) the outcome of the race, the subjects happened to rate the cyclists who ranked higher overall in the Tour higher than those who ended up placing lower. There is clearly a relationship between attractiveness and performance.
STRENGTH TRAINING IMPROVES CHOLESTEROL
Strength training doesn’t just have positive effects on the outside of your body—it could save your life on the inside too. In a study looking at cholesterol levels of overweight women, researchers had women train three times a week, on a full-body split (typical for beginners), for 12 weeks. At the end of the protocol, their LDL (bad) cholesterol was reduced by 0.77 mmol per litre, which, according to the scientists, could translate into a 3.4 percent reduction in the risk of a nonfatal coronary heart event.
CRANBERRY EXTRACT FOR LONGER LIFE
Cranberries are known for their antioxidative properties, and as a remedy for urinary tract infections, but recently, scientists decided to look into their potential ability to extend life. In an animal study, it was discovered that the sooner the cranberry extract supplementation phase started and the longer it lasted (relative to the life span of the animal in the experiment), the stronger the life-extending effect of the extract. The mechanism of action, researchers surmised, was that cranberries can increase the production of heat shock proteins, which exist in the human body to protect vulnerable molecular structures from being damaged.
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Photos courtesy of Thinkstock
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