Welcome to Part V of the Sock Doc Essential Guide to Carbohydrates. Part IV was way back in June in which I discussed the hot topic of ketosis in athletes. Parts I-III discussed the many roles, both positive and negative, of carbohydrates in an athlete’s diet. The gist of the …
Archives for 2013
VIVOBAREFOOT Gobi Review: Get Around In Style
The Vivobarefoot Gobi marks my first-ever pair of casual boots, and they’ve definitely exceeded my expectations. The Gobi is super comfortable, lightweight, and is exactly what I look for in a minimalist-type shoe – unrestricted movement and unaltered proprioception.
The Athlete’s Adrenal Glands
Your adrenal glands are small walnut-sized glands that sit on top of each kidney. Though they only weigh three to five grams, they’re responsible for producing hormones to provide your body with sufficient energy, balance blood sugar, fight inflammation, regulate electrolytes, maintain libido, sustain blood pressure, and provide your body …
This Is Why You’re Still Injured
Injuries suck, that’s all there is to it. Oh, but there’s more. Injuries are a big reason as to why an athlete can’t get past a certain performance ceiling. If you’re training improperly as you try to take your fitness to the next level you’re probably going to get injured …
Sock Doc Podcast With PaleoRunner
Check out my most recent podcast with Aaron Olson at PaleoRunner.org. I discuss stretching (well, not stretching), orthotics (umm, not using orthotics), minimalist/barefoot running, injury treatment and prevention, and a bunch of other great info.
Calf Flexibility Sans Stretching: No More Calf Wall Stretches
Oh, you caught me stretching my calves. This wall stretch that a lot of people do, a lot of runners like to do to warm up, is actually a pretty silly stretch. There’s lots of better ways that you can actually create normal flexibility and stability in your lower leg …
Running Injury Treatment & Prevention: The Soleus & Achilles
This Sock Doc Video was made by Altra Zero Drop Footwear as part of their RunTalks series. I discuss how to naturally assess, treat, and prevent common lower leg injuries specifically related to the soleus muscle. Many athletes, especially runners, suffer from shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and other …
The Ultra Dilemma
In today’s endurance world, covering longer distances has become the new and expected normal. Gone are the days when racing a fast 5K or 10K meant something and we’re even starting to lose the concept that running one marathon is a big deal. Yet much like triathletes feel it’s imperative …
Aerobic Endurance Superiority
Aerobic endurance is something I’ve discussed on the sock-doc site many times. Its importance in both fitness and health is often underestimated either because there are news reports citing studies saying too much will harm your health, or athletes neglect the time and effort to put in the training to …
Sock Doc Video – Leg Power: Key Muscles For Stability, Balance, & Performance
Video Transcript Hey, this is Dr. Gangemi and in this Sock Doc video I want to talk about a couple really important neglected muscles that help to support and stabilize your entire lower leg as well as your knee and even your hip when it comes to moving freely and …
Get More Fit With Two A Day Workouts
Training twice a day, also known as two a day workouts, can make dramatic improvements in your fitness if done correctly. Unfortunately for many, two-a-day workouts add just another factor in the injury equation as many athletes are not ready for such physical demand. Should you, regardless of your current …
Ketogenic Diet for Athletes
Here in Part IV of the Sock Doc Essential Guide to Carbohydrates I’m going to discuss the hot topic of a ketogenic diet for athletes. Ketosis is a metabolic state where the liver takes fat and proteins and produces molecules called ketone bodies to use for energy. Ketosis allows a …
Train Hard, Race Fast: Carbohydrates for Training and Recovery
Welcome to Part III, (of some unknown number), of the Sock Doc Essential Guide to Carbohydrates where I discuss carbohydrates for training and recovery (and racing too!). I discussed the chemistry behind how your body uses sugar and fat for fuel in Part I. Part II dealt with how to …
Condition Your Body to Burn Fat
Conditioning your body to burn fat involves more than just training properly. Fat metabolism relies on a low stress lifestyle as well as a diet that promotes fat-for-fuel. I won’t go into proper training here – that’s been done over at the Sock Doc Training Principles and other areas on …
Carbohydrates: Evil or Essential?
Any athlete who is concerned about their performance has questioned, if not thoroughly investigated, whether they should eat more carbs or less carbs to improve their fitness. Actually, with the current trend towards low-carb diets and a Paleo-lifestyle, and considering the world pandemic of obesity, you may be a conscientious-carb-counter. …
A Case For Orthotics?
It’s been well over a year since I’ve discussed orthotics. Orthotics, just like stretching, is an emotional and somewhat controversial topic because so many believe in their effectiveness for injury treatment and prevention. Others, such as myself, feel as though they either create, provoke, or hide a true problem. In …
Sock Doc Podcast #7 At Trail Runner Nation: Sock Doc Prescribes More Sex!
Podcast #7 at Trail Runner Nation. In this Sock Doc Podcast, I discuss how athletes can use sex as a form of recovery and also to increase performance. It’s a good one! You can read the article which we discuss here on Sock Doc. Check out another informative, entertaining, and …
MovNat Podcast: Move Effectively & Efficiently
In this podcast I discuss many aspects of health, fitness, and natural movement principles with MovNat founder Erwan LeCorre. Learn more about MovNat here! You can also Listen to the podcast in a new window or download (Right click to save), or listen to the podcast at MovNat.com.
The Least of Your Concerns: Arch Height, Weight, and Length
If you’ve ever been injured you may have been advised by your physician or therapist that your condition was in some part due to some physical imbalance or attribute. How important are some of these physical characteristics, such as foot arch height, in regards to the actual injury? Most are …
Educate Yourself to Recover From and Prevent Any Injury
Nobody wants to be injured and if you’re injured you obviously want the injury gone as soon as possible. Properly treating an injury involves more than just looking at the symptom, which is usually where the pain is felt. You have to understand why you’re injured to properly assess, treat, …
Consistency: Smart Training
Consistency is an important concept when it comes to developing health and fitness. Being consistent with proper training, a healthy diet, and overall lifestyle habits will not only provide improved health and fitness but it will help you remain injury-free too. In this post I want to discuss training consistency. …
Posterior Thigh Pain – Hamstrings, Calves, or Glutes? Assess, Treat, Rehab, and Develop!
Video Transcript Hey this is Doctor Gangemi the Sock Doc and in this video I want to talk a little bit more about the hamstrings. We talked about it somewhat in the knee video that was put out awhile back. But the hamstrings are a very commonly injured muscle. …
Sock Doc Podcast #6 At Trail Runner Nation: Running Fast, Smart, and Healthy in 2013
Podcast #6 at Trail Runner Nation. In this Sock Doc Podcast, Dr. Mark Cucuzzella and I discuss with Don, Scott, and Faith, some important health and fitness issues we learned in 2012 and want to emphasize in 2013. Check out another informative, entertaining, and all around awesome podcast at TRN! …
Sock Doc: Foot Strength, Foot Rehabilitation, & Healthy Progression Towards Barefoot Movement
In this video I show some drills to help strengthen your feet and lower legs with the goal of improving your balance and health while also helping to prevent future injuries. These exercises are also great if you’re trying to recover from an injury such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles …