Westfield State Sports Medicine Blog

  The Effect of Exercise for Individuals with Mental Health Conditions By: Madelyn Drohan      Roughly 1.6 billion people worldwide die prematurely due to complications caused by obesity; if rates continue to increase the way they currently are, it is predicted that 12% of the world population will be overweight or obese by 2030. Lucky for you, there is a simple and easy solution to save you from being a part of this statistic: exercise. However, with individuals who are obese or overweight, it is hard for them to adhere to an exercise program or engage in regular physical activity, which sets them up for failure. Mental blocks, such as anxiety or depression, can take control of an individual’s life and prevent them from seeking treatment options Evidence-based points: Regular exercise produces more endorphins in the brain, increasing peace of mind and mental well-being It allows individuals to feel a deeper meaning to their lives         2....

  Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common overuse injury experienced by distance runners. It is characterized by anterior knee pain around the patella due to repetitive stress, patellar mistracking, and muscular imbalance. Traditionally, clinicians have focused on a “knee-only” rehabilitation approach aimed at strengthening musculature and reducing pain around the knee joint. However, with emerging research it has been suggested that this “knee-only” approach overlooks the role of the core and its influence on the patellofemoral joint. Incorporating core strengthening into rehabilitation programs for runners with PFPS may help improve lower extremity alignment and reduce stress on the patellofemoral joint. Quantifying the effectiveness of core strengthening as part of PFPS rehabilitation could support its integration into clinical physical therapy practice. Research Findings:  Incorporating hip and core strengthening led to greater & faster improvements in pain red...

  By Octaviana Williams Athletes at all levels experience anxiety. This anxiety manifests as pre-game nerves , fear of failure, or difficulty maintaining focus under pressure. It can significantly impact both performance and well-being. Over time, unmanaged anxiety can erode confidence, diminish enjoyment, and even lead to a decline in long-term participation in sports. Research suggests that incorporating mindfulness, self-compassion, and mental skills training can empower athletes to better manage anxiety and excel in their sports. Understanding Sports Anxiety Sports anxiety manifests when athletes experience excessive apprehension, stress, or apprehension in relation to their performance. While a moderate level of arousal can enhance performance, excessive anxiety often results in diminished concentration, muscle tension, negative self-talk, and impaired decision-making. Athletes may find it challenging to remain present, overanalyze errors, or feel overwhelmed during competi...

Aerobic exercise has been proven to bring many benefits to the body with improving areas such as strength, balance, endurance, etc. But what changes occur in the brain as a result of aerobic exercise and are these changes constant or vary depending upon the person?        Evidence-Based Points:    Aerobic exercise in acute bouts (in one sitting) can bring enhancements in attention, working memory, and processing speed along with increased blood flow and event-related potentials. Where even the smallest amounts of aerobic exercise can bring benefits to the brain while having a  short  duration of effects.   May lead to increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) which can cause mood regulation for younger and middle-aged adults. Lower levels of BDNF have been linked to mood disorders like depression and  anxiety,  so an increase can help better the mental state of others.     For older adults, aerobic exercise ...