This week, read about how art misportrays runners, the child fitness tax credit, MSG, grapefruit juice, and more.
What Does Running Look Like?
Strike a running pose . . . are your arms and legs positioned correctly? Are you sure?
A recent study by psychologist Julian Meltzoff showed that many people will pose incorrectly (arm and leg on the same side of the body as if swinging in the same direction). If you posed wrong, you’re in good company. Meltzoff looked at the work of artists over centuries and found that this was a common error: even masters like Donatello and Da Vinci have depicted running incorrectly. Most people (including art historians) have not picked up on it. The Atlantic and Runners World had nice reviews of this research this week.
It’s not something that I’d noticed, but it didn’t take me long to find many examples of running pictured incorrectly. Even “How to Draw” websites list incorrect instructions on how to draw runners. Here are some examples I found in images from Microsoft clipart.
The Child Fitness Tax Credit – Money Well Spent?
The conservative government reports that it is doubling the Child Fitness Tax Credit to promote physical activity in youth. While this may sound like a good idea, the evidence doesn’t back up this expenditure. It’s unfortunate the government isn’t using this money in evidence-based ways to increase physical activity in youth.
There are limited data to show that such tax incentives promote physical activity in youth. A study looking at the tax credit suggests that the substantial public funds needed for the Fitness Tax Credit might have greater influence if they used in other ways: for example, toward more immediate rewards for parents (i.e., sales tax exemptions, rebates at point of sale, or subsidized programming) or used to improve recreational facilities or physical activity programs in schools. (This study is nicely summarized by obesity expert Arya Sharma here).
Other research (reviewed by physical activity expert Travis Saunders here) shows that the Child Fitness Tax credit is of little use for the kids who need it the most, and benefits parents who can already afford to put their kids in organized sport.
Inactivity in youth is a massive public health problem that needs to be addressed: these efforts may sound like the government is doing something, but they are misguided.
More links of interest this week:
- Is MSG Bad for Your Health? Nice summary of the research. (Science Friday)
- How much exercise is best of heart health? Workout plan of competitive masters athletes (6-7 workouts/week) shows benefits in this study. (Alex Hutchinson, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, October 2014).
- Even motivated dieters need close access to healthy food. This study showed how neighborhoods influence food choices (people who need to travel more than a short distance to a store that offers healthy food have less success at improving their eating habits). (American Journal of Preventive Medicine, October 2014).
- Grapefruit Juice May Be As Effective as Diabetes Drugs (mouse study). Time magazine summarizes this animal study showing that mice that drank grapefruit juice decreased blood glucose to a similar extent as the commonly used anti-diabetic drug (metformin), and markedly lowered fasting serum insulin regardless of the amount of fat in the diet. (PlosOne, October 8, 2014). This is interesting but very preliminary research that requires further study in humans (you’ll find a good review of this study here). Also note that grapefruit juice interacts with many medications, sometimes dangerously.
- Keys to great writing: Review of Steven Pinker’s Sense of Style (looks like a great book) (Brainpickings)
- Coastal living boosts physical activity (at least in England!)
- Can vegan athletes still build muscle and compete in sports? Some good info & sample menu from (Leslie Beck)
- This Harvard researcher wants you to know that your supplements can kill you (Julia Beluz, Vox.com)
- The Science of Conquering Your Greatest Fears (Outside Magazine)
- Coach Tip: Stop Doing Drills; start doing “challenges” – words matter more than we think! (Daniel Coyle, the Talent Code)
- 4 nutrition experts to describe an ideal meal. (Harvard SPH Magazine)
- Where Skinny People Sit in Restaurants – more interesting food psych research by Brian Wansink.
- New study shows muscle mass predicts survival in older adults. (American Journal of Medicine, 2014).
- Grains are not the enemy; carbs are not to be feared – time to stop demonizing food (Yes – stop the carb bashing!). (Healthy Balance)
- How curiosity changes the brain to enhance learning – fascinating study! (Neuron, 2014)
See More Issues of This Week in Food, Health, and Fitness
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