Today is the fifth video and audio-only rebroadcast from the 2013 Huffines Discussion.  Up today in our series is Virginia Tech's Dr. Janet Rankin.  Dr. Rankin's talk is titled: "Fit Me, Fit Planet".  This is a great talk on how physical activity is linked to the environment.  WATCH NOW!  or LISTEN NOW! 

Recent research findings indicate that with older adulthood, there are functional decrements in spatial cognition and more specially, in the ability to mentally represent and effectively plan motor actions. A typical finding is a significant over- or underestimation of one's actual physical abilities with movement planning- planning that has implications for movement efficiency and physical safety. A practical, daily life example is estimation of reachability- a situation for the elderly may...

Recent studies indicate that the ability to mentally represent action using motor imagery declines with advanced age (>64 years). As the ability to represent action declines, the elderly may experience increasing difficulty with movement planning and execution. Huffines Affiliate and Director of the Child Motor Development Laboratory, Dr. Carl Gabbard's recent publication in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics titled "Association between imagined and actual functional rea...

We are joined in the podcast today by Ms. Leigh Liebmann who is the Program Coordinator for the Dallas chapter of "Back On My Feet".  This program is another example of how to use exercise and sport to facilitate societal change - in this case to help with employment and housing.  This is a great podcast with someone who is trying to change the world by using exercise!  LISTEN NOW!

Former football coach, player, and media personality Lydia Dubuisson joins us in the podcast to talk sports marketing and football.  This is an interesting conversation that goes where you will least expect it to go.  LISTEN NOW!

Read the weekly text article "Iron Helps Us Play" by Steve Bui. "Iron is one of the most essential minerals to health; unfortunately, sometimes we neglect its importance. What makes iron so important?"

Read the weekly text article "Can HMB Build Elite Athletes?" by David Castille. "When it comes to competitive athletics, or just reaching goals in the gym, people are always looking for some form of aid or advantage. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (the only form of HMB), or HMB, may prove to be a potent ergogenic aid for many different kinds of athletes."

Read the weekly text article "Magnesium & Exercise- Much Ado or Much Needed?" by Sarah Renaghan. "Magnesium – what does it do for – or to – us? As an essential trace element, it is vital to the human body. Magnesium facilitates over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body in the areas of.."

Read the weekly text article "Should Selenium Be Sold?" by Sheril Marek. "Selenium is a trace element that is nutritionally essential for humans. Essential nutrients are required for normal body functioning that cannot be synthesized by the body. This shows the importance of consuming adequate selenium in one’s diet and supplements for enhanced exercise performance and decreased health risks."

Do you think you are out in the sun enough? Read the weekly text article "D is for Deficiency- An Overview of Vitamin D Deficiency and Athletes" by Caitlin Hendler and you might rethink many of those indoor activities. "Most commonly known as the “Sunshine Vitamin,” the main source of this fat-soluble vitamin is exposure to sunlight because of few food sources. The benefits of vitamin D go much further than merely a bronze tan..."