Press Release Archive
STRIDES
39 Carlon Drive Northampton, MA 01060 413.586.5000 info@stridespw.com
Over 30% of United States Children Considered Clinically Overweight
Local Statistics Show the Need for Dramatic and Immediate Solutions
According to the American Obesity Association, more than 30% of United States children, youths and adolescents are currently overweight or obese.
Over the past three decades, the rate of childhood obesity has doubled while the incident of obesity in teenagers has tripled.
It is estimated that more than 9 million children under the age of 18, or 1 in 5 United States kids, are currently overweight.
The America Obesity Association also reports that the childhood overweight concern is the most common nutritional disorder effecting U.S.-based children and adolescents and one of the most prevalent problems seen by pediatricians.
According to the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children, communities spanning from predominately African-America, Hispanic and White children are experiencing obesity rates ranging from 24 – 40%.
STRIDES Performance & Wellness, Inc., a member of The International Youth Conditioning Association (IYCA), has begun providing solutions for local children and parents to help curb the rise of this national trend.
STRIDES, founded and located in the Northampton MA., will be providing area families with education and a solution-oriented approach to physical fitness and nutrition.
More Than 1 Million Children Hire Personal Trainers Every Year
Finding a qualified personal trainer for your child is critical for safety and success
December 2nd , 2008 – According to multiple sources, including MSNBC and Newsweek, more than 1 million children hire a personal trainer every year in the United States.
The rate of youth obesity and the increased competitive nature of youth sports are cited as the major reasons for this relatively new phenomenon.
It is very critical for parents to understand that when hiring a Personal Trainer for their child’s physical fitness needs, they pay very close attention to the Trainers qualifications and experience related to working with this specific demographic.
The following is a checklist for parents to use when hiring a Personal Trainer for their child:
1.Ask about the Trainer's schooling and continuing education
A degree in Exercise Science or related allied health field is preferable. Also, a certification as a Youth Fitness Specialist should be considered a primary requirement. Many nationally-accredited certification organizations offer professional Trainers education and credentials in fitness or sport training, but only the Youth Fitness Specialist certification from the International Youth Conditioning Association offers a specialized education for Personal Trainers in the aspects of working with children and adolescents.
2.Ask about the Trainer's experience working with children
Most Personal Trainers have experience working with adult clients, but only Youth Fitness Specialists have vast experience and exposure working with children and adolescents for weight loss and sports performance needs.
3.Ask to watch the Trainer in action working with children
Personal Trainers should be happy to have prospective parents view a training session in order to ascertain how well the Trainer relates to children and adolescents.
Occurrence of ACL Injuries in Youth Sports Hits All-Time High
More than 70% of injuries are preventable with proper training
December 9th, 2008 – More than 20,000 high school female athletes suffer a serious sports related knee injury each year in the United States.
Female athletes are up to six times more likely to experience a knee injury than male athletes of the same age.
Long considered a contact-based injury in which colliding athletes undergo a knee trauma due to the impact, recent research has shown that has many as 70% of ACL injuries are actually non-contact related.
This means that the vast majority of ACL injuries in young athletes are due to strength deficiencies or improper jumping and landing mechanics.
Well-designed strength and conditioning programs have shown to be the number one preventative agent in reducing the incidents of ACL injuries in young athletes.
STRIDES Performance & Wellness, Inc. is a sport training facility that works specifically with young athletes on strength and conditioning programs intended to reduce the risk of injuries incurred in sport as well as dramatically enhance the performance of on-field or on-court play.
STRIDES, which is currently housed in the Northampton Athletic Club, trains local young athletes ranging from high school basketball and football players to young golfers and recreational athletes.
Serving Pioneer Valley’s young athletes for 5 years, STRIDES trained athletes have experienced no ACL or other related knee injuries. Injury rates among STRIDES trained athletes are significantly lower than other young athletes in the greater Pioneer Valley.
More than 50% of sport related injuries have been prevented by STRIDES training programs.
Human Performance Institute
Featured in the Daily Hampshire Gazette
STICKING WITH IT - 12 trainers tell how to make fitness routine
January 19, 2010
Len Haggerty
Age: 33
Gym: Strides Human Performance Institute, Northampton
Personal Routine: Because I work with many kids between the ages of 6 and 18, I try to train as if I'm 12 years old. Workouts are safe, different and most of all fun. I do a lot of motor development movements - different types of jumping jacks, obstacle courses, medicine ball throws and animal movements, to name a few.
Getting Motivated: You get only one body, replacement parts cost a lot of money, and you'll never be the same with them. Workouts may be grueling but they're a whole lot better than waiting in the doctor's office or emergency room.
The Key: Workouts need to be different on a consistent basis. This is where games, like tag, crab walk soccer and other 'outside the box' movements come into play.
Favorite Workout: My fitness games class for adults. We have a blast.
Least Favorite: High intensity workouts using various intervals that focus on improving both anaerobic and aerobic endurance. I sometimes find myself asking, why did I think this was going to be a good idea?
Advice for Newcomers: Think long-term. It's like putting money in the bank, the more you put in on a consistent basis, the bigger the benefits over time.
Hitting a Plateau: Change up the workout. Often this will kick start the body again. Also, plateaus can occur because you're not getting enough rest or recovery time.
Personal Benefits: A career, stress reduction, better health, personal discovery, and many new friends young and old.
