Category: Chronic Diseases

Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin: hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to high levels of glucose in the blood. It is basically a signal for the cell to take up glucose.

What is insulin sensitivity? How sensitive the body’s cells are in response to insulin.

  • High insulin sensitivity: allows cells to use more blood glucose effectively.

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What is glucose? 

  • Glucose can feed every cell in your body.
  • It is stored in the liver, blood and muscles.
  • Glucose is extracted from the blood by transporters called GLUT-4.
  • Without an improved insulin sensitivity, GLUT-4 will not transport glucose from the blood = an increased blood sugar levels.

Importance of having an increased insulin sensitivity

  • When insulin can’t signal the cell to uptake glucose, you end up with increased level of glucose & insulin in the blood and the body is not able to use either of them.
  • This will then cause cortisol, the stress hormone to be released. This is a survival mechanism for the body to deal with the blood glucose.
    • This will cause lower energy levels, increased fat stored.

HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS: 

  • Puts pressure on the pancreas to increase insulin production to be able to transport that glucose out.
  • Increased risk of diabetes.
  • Higher risk of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.

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TOP 4 WAYS TO IMPROVE INSULIN SENSITIVITY?

  1. Get out of a caloric surplus (stop overfeeding the cells): being in a constant caloric surplus means that these cells are exposed to insulin by eating an excessive amount of carbs. Eventually, this will lead the cell to become insulin resistant. Therefore, more insulin will be required to uptake glucose.
  2. Strength training & cardiovascular endurance 
  3. Inflammation: Inflammation interferes with the cellular response to insulin.
  4. Non-fragmented night’s sleep

How does insulin sensitivity increase with exercise?

  • When performing aerobic exercise or resistance training stimulates certain cell transporters that aid in transporting glucose from the blood into the muscle.
  • During exercise there is an increase in blood flow, thus, increasing the surface area available for the transport of glucose.
  • Physical exercise promotes the breakdown from of energy into a molecule called AMPK, increased nitric oxide production in the cell and calcium cycling in muscle contraction which promotes AS160.
  • AS160 (protein in the body) is important because it is what will promote cell transporters to uptake that glucose

Now ask yourself: “Am I overweight?” “How is my diet” “Do I consistently consume over the recommended amount of carbohydrates each day?” “How is my blood pressure?” 

Now ask yourself this very important question:

ARE YOU READY TO GET BETTER? 

Come visit us at Infinity Sports Institute at our Edgewater Location, located on 163 NE 24 ST. 

About Infinity Sports Institute

Infinity Sports Institute is dedicated to optimizing the human experience through sports science, sports medicine, and technology. We believe Physical, Mental and Social components are pillars to optimizing the human experience. Call (786) 591-7586 or email us at info@infinitysi.com.

By: Gabriela Londono | Performance Specialist

Postural Restoration Institute Method

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What is the PRI method?

            The Postural Restoration Institute (PRI) incorporates a method to help people of all ages and ability levels stay balanced from postural asymmetries that occur in the body. Our bodies often move and function in asymmetry to maintain balance. A primary example is whenever we walk or run, one side of the body is creating a new step and the other is finishing the step you just took. PRI uses repositioning and repatterning techniques to maintain proper balance of those asymmetrical movements and functions to keep the body from over compensation.

When and Why should you use PRI method?

            When using PRI, the idea is to identify and correct standard patterns found in our muscles and joints from side to side, from front to back and from top to bottom. These asymmetrical patterns influence the way we stand, sit, walk, breathe and even sleep. Infinity Sports Institute uses PRI method to help individual maintain postural balance for the long-term based on measuring their compensations through a full functional evaluation. Infinity Sports Institute uses PRI as another added tool to tackle abnormal postural patterns, unbalanced movement, and breathing patterns.

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The Takeaway

            The PRI method has given us a great resource to evaluate and treat proper functions of the body. This holistic approach has been effective and efficient when treating all different types of diagnoses.

In addition to PRI, Infinity Sports uses Fascial Stretching and Rocktape Techniques that can help restore an individual’s posture.  To book an appointment or learn more about these services contact us at info@infinitysi.comor call 786-491-7586.

 

Lymphatic Assessment

What is a Lymphatic Assessment?

Assessment of the lymphatic system includes an evaluation of lymph nodes at different points throughout the body. The body has tons of lymph nodes starting from the head, down the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Lymph nodes are checked for size, consistency, and tenderness. When lymph nodes start to show any swelling or tenderness, that gives an obvious sign of inflammation.

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Why and When should you use Lymphatic Assessment?

A Lymphatic assessment is a great resource for those who have chronic pain or trying to improve overall health and performance. The lymphatic assessment helps determine which lymph nodes are the most tender, swollen, and built up with inflammation.

The lymphatic system acts as the body’s sewage system. It balances the level of fluids in our body but when certain lymph nodes are “backed up” and not flushing properly, levels of inflammation increase. Infinity Sports Institute provides lymphatic assessment during our Full Functional Evaluation. The assessment further helps us pinpoint areas of inflammation allowing us to develop a better plan for those that take part of the High-Performance Pain Management program.

The Takeaway

The lymphatic system is an essential component to get your body functioning at an optimal level. A dysfunctional lymphatic system really hinders the body’s immune system and its ability to transport fluid throughout the body. Having the assessment as part of our Full Functional Evaluation and using the proper techniques to manipulate the lymphatic system has really enhanced our client’s performance, recovery, and overall well-being.

If you have been having chronic pain, our High-Performance Pain Management program is for you! Call us today at 786-591-7586 to schedule your Full Functional Evaluation.

ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist

 

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What is an ACSM CEP?

The ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), formerly known as ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-RCEP), is a health professional that has either a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology.  In addition, they are required to complete hundreds of hours of hands-on clinical experience to receive the certification.

ACSM-CEPs® are qualified to work with those that have chronic diseases or conditions (but are not limited to working with this demographic). The most common chronic diseases in Florida include cancer (breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, prostate, and melanoma), cardiovascular disease (heart attack, heart failure, stroke, coronary heart disease), diabetes, and respiratory disease.

Why meet with an ACSM-CEP?

  1. Getting a baseline health measurement

ACSM-CEP’s are committed to improving the overall health and quality of life of patients by using a combination of fitness-related consulting, assessments and programmed training to guide the health of those with chronic health conditions in a clinical setting. If you’re interested in making a healthy and sustainable change to your life, they can help you reach your goals by building a customized plan based around you. The first step is understanding how your daily habits contributed to your current disease(s). Patients complete questionnaires or interviews that detail their health history. Then they undergo an assessment that acts as a baseline for the training programming.

   2) Building a personalized protocol

Based on what ACSM-CEP’s learn about their patient, they build a plan of attack for improving that person’s health. These goals do not have to be a specific number or target. Instead, they are often qualified by that person’s improved and sustained quality of life. ACSM-CEPs help to increase the likelihood of long-term physical, mental, and social aspects of a patient’s life through health and fitness education, lifestyle change, rehabilitation strategies, as well as preventative measures.

  3) Only the best

The ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist® certification has very demanding standards in the health/fitness industry and characterizes the gold standard of the clinical exercise profession. At Infinity Sports Institute, we carefully vet our team members to provide you access healthcare professionals with one of the highest certifications. This way, all you have to do is focus on becoming better.

The Takeaway

You deserve the best! It’s not enough just to go to a gym and sweat. Work with a professional who can build you an exercise program based on where you are today and where you want to be.

ACSM-CEP’s work with a number of different populations but a majority of their time is spent in a clinical setting. If you have a chronic disease, they can help you fight the fight against chronic diseases and conditions with exercise and lifestyle behavior change strategies.

It may feel like just another workout, but ACSM-CEPS provide a unique skill in understanding the potential and limitations of those with chronic conditions. When dealing with populations coming from a clinical environment, ACSM-CEP’s become a valuable resource.

Are you ready?

Don’t postpone feeling better. Book your appointment with an ACSM-CEP at Infinity Sports Institute. Let’s get you on the road to better health today! Call (786) 591-7586 or email us at info@infinitysi.com.