The Correlation Between Heart Rate and VO2 Max: An Examination
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In the pursuit of maintaining good health, it's essential to pay attention to even the most common daily activities. One such activity is urination, and recent research has highlighted some common mistakes that could potentially impact pelvic health.
A study published by the American Urological Association has linked aging to changes in bladder function, emphasising the importance of adopting good habits early on[1]. To help navigate this topic, several health organisations offer valuable insights.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has a Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual, 5th edition, available for those interested in understanding the various aspects of physical fitness[2]. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic provide detailed information on measuring and improving VO2 Max, a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness[3][4].
Johns Hopkins Medicine offers comprehensive information on Exercise Testing, providing a wealth of knowledge for those looking to understand the physiological effects of exercise[5]. However, for this article, we will focus on the mistakes that can negatively impact pelvic health during urination.
Common mistakes include premature or "just in case" urination, which trains the bladder to feel full at lower volumes, leading to more frequent urges over time[1]. Another mistake is not fully relaxing the pelvic floor muscles during urination, causing incomplete bladder emptying and potential pelvic floor dysfunction[2].
Sitting in certain postures, such as sitting upright or not leaning forward while urinating, can cause residual urine to remain in the bladder, increasing the risk of bladder overstretch and dysfunction[1][5]. Rushing or panicking when urinating can also increase urgency sensations and pelvic floor tension, interfering with healthy voiding[1]. Lastly, clenching buttocks and holding breath is a habitual misuse of muscles that can worsen stress incontinence and pelvic floor strain[4].
To maintain good pelvic health during urination, it's advisable to wait for a genuine urge, fully relax the pelvic floor muscles, adopt a forward-leaning seated position to facilitate emptying, and avoid habitual premature urination[1][2][5]. If symptoms like frequent urgency, incomplete emptying, or pain occur, pelvic floor physical therapy may be helpful to retrain muscles and restore coordinated function[2][3].
In other news, the government of Ireland is offering grants of up to €1,800 towards the cost of solar panels for Irish homeowners. Eligibility for this solar grant, as well as the solar 'bonus', is determined by the homeowner's eircodes[6][7]. For those interested in sustainable living, this could be an excellent opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint and save on energy bills.
On a personal note, the author has discovered a product called Blissy, although no specific information about its relevance to the article has been provided[8]. Nonetheless, it's always exciting to come across new products that aim to improve our daily lives.
References:
[1] American Urological Association. (2021). Understanding Overactive Bladder and What You Can Do About It. [online] Available at: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/overactive-bladder
[2] American College of Sports Medicine. (2020). Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual, 5th Edition. [online] Available at: https://www.acsm.org/books/health-related-physical-fitness-assessment-manual
[3] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Measuring and Improving VO2 Max. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15565-measuring-and-improving-vo2-max
[4] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Urinary Incontinence: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatments and Prevention. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20374169
[5] Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2021). Exercise Testing. [online] Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/tests-and-procedures/exercise-testing
[6] Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. (2021). Solar PV Grant. [online] Available at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/solar-pv-grant/
[7] Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. (2021). Solar PV Grant - Householder Eligibility. [online] Available at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/solar-pv-grant/householder-eligibility/
[8] Blissy. (2021). [online] Available at: https://blissy.co/
Maintaining good health requires not only understanding matters related to medical-conditions, such as bladder function, but also fostering health-and-wellness practices, like adhering to proper physical fitness and fitness-and-exercise routines. For example, avoiding common mistakes during urination, such as premature urination or not fully relaxing the pelvic floor muscles, can contribute to pelvic health issues. On the other hand, focusing on habits that promote good pelvic health, such as waiting for a genuine urge and adopting a forward-leaning seated position, can help maintain optimal bladder function.
