Med Tent

With the recent blood shortage, and donors flocking to help, how does blood donation affect athletic performance? An ER doc explains how to time your blood donation for minimal impact on training and racing.

And it's not just because of the physiological responses inside your body. Dehydration gets inside your head.

A new review shows a potential link between structural injuries and an athlete's personal attitudes, stressors, and relationships.

Muscle strains happen when you sprint and the muscle isn’t prepared for the effort expended.

The benefits of exercise could have age-defying implications on memory deterioration as people age.

A recent study, interestingly, says no.

Beneficial health outcomes are associated with physical activity at every weight level; weight loss—not so much.

If you're getting dizzy during or after a swim, it’s important to pinpoint the underlying cause.

A new three-year survey looked at half-marathon and marathon runners. The findings? More training and more preparation led to fewer injuries...

And what we don't know yet.

New studies show that moderate exercise can improve your immune response and, most importantly, make vaccination even more effective.

A swollen knee should send you to the doctor—but an important question in diagnosis is when did it start swelling: right after running or later the next day?

It's one thing to have lots of real-time data on your blood glucose levels. But what do you do with it?

Dry needling was studied in runners post-marathon and some pain reduction was seen—but could it all be in their heads?

Road rash from a cycling crash is not an especially deep injury, but it can bleed and is definitely painful.

Acclimation works for heat adaptation, but does it work for cold too?

Exercise has a hugely beneficial impact on cardiovascular health and mortality rates, but at a certain volume of exercise those benefits start to decrease.

And how that affected triathletes.

Here's your go-to resource for treating and preventing common ailments.

Running related injuries are frustratingly common. A new study suggests foot strengthening—from the ground up—could be the answer.

Recent studies have provided some interesting takeaways about running economy.

New research shows elevated markers of heart and muscle damage after long-distance races, but what does that indicate and does it mean there could potentially be long-term issues?

In this column, Dr. Jeffrey Sankoff answers your questions about immune health, COVID, and training.

And what to do about it.

Medical advice for how to get back to training after the virus, plus a three-time Kona finisher shares his firsthand experience of recovery.

Don't stretch sore hamstrings. Here’s what you should do instead.

The “pain in the butt” hamstring strain presents difficulties that are different from those posed by lower hamstring strains.

The ballooned outside skin is your body’s way of preventing infection.

Have you ever lost feeling in your fingers while riding? Hand numbness after cycling? Maybe just slightly numb fingers while cycling? Here’s what to do about nerve compression syndrome in the hand.

Ramp up your foot control to bring down your shin pain.

Nothing can derail your training like back pain—address the weaknesses at the source to avoid unnecessary downtime and discomfort.

Shin splints have derailed many an athlete’s hard-won training gains.

Commit to strengthening your kinetic chain and you’ll spend more time doing what you love and out of the doctor’s office.

Building up your quads makes your knees more stable and less susceptible to injury.

Slipped disk treatment, prevention, and exercises.

Many athletes who depend on grip for their games, including cyclists, are candidates for carpal tunnel syndrome.

That painful, clicking feeling in your shoulder when you swim? It might be a labrum tear.

Ever get a sudden, intense, thunderclap headache during exercise or race? You’re not crazy.

Looking to build core strength? This intense workout will get you there.

If your muscle soreness is intense and doesn’t begin until 24 to 48 hours after the muscle injury, you may have a serious condition.

Keep your mileage low if your current body weight is more than 5 percent over your ideal weight.

Pain can come on gradually (as a chronic problem) or suddenly from a forceful movement (as an acute injury).

The quadracep is one of the most commonly strained muscles. How to avoid—or fix—this injury.

"I wish I knew five years ago that overtraining could lead to low testosterone and the myriad of other health problems I’m facing."

Riding in the aero position can lead to aches and pains in your neck muscles, or perhaps even a spasm or “locking up” sensation.

What to do when biceps go bad—and how to keep them from acting up again.

Weakness in your rotator cuff muscles can lead to persistent shoulder pain—prevent it before it sidelines you.

A doctor’s advice for when to call it quits before a race.

Hip injuries are common in all athletes, but this type of injury is especially common in runners and triathletes.

The patellar tendon is vulnerable to overuse injury—known as "jumper's knee." Here’s how to prevent and treat patellar tendinitis.

Suspect you may have injured a ligament in your knee? Here’s how to fix it and protect your knees in the future.

Treat and prevent this lower-back and leg pain.

Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses the two main reasons for muscle cramping in endurance athletes.

This condition is more common than you think and confuses a lot of athletes.

Don’t let shoulder bursitis, a swimming overuse injury, keep you out of the pool.

Learn how to prevent and treat runner's knee.

How to avoid this common muscle spasm.

Keep your Achilles healthy with these training tips and exercises.

Learn how to treat and prevent a sprained ankle.

Dr. Jordan Metzl identifies the different types of bad back pain that plague endurance athletes and lays out the most effective treatments.

Learn how to treat and prevent this lower-back and buttock pain that is common among runners and triathletes.

Don’t be sidelined by plantar fasciitis—treat and prevent this common foot pain with these home remedies.

Dr. Jordan Metzl provides advice on how to deal with this classic overuse running injury.

Dr. Jordan Metzl provides advice on avoiding and eliminating that nasty pain in the bottom of the foot.

Fix and prevent pain in your Achilles tendon with these stretches and exercises.

Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses one of the most annoying injuries for endurance athletes: IT Band Syndrome.

Dr. Jordan Metzl identifies different types of shoulder pain and offers strategies for treatment and strengthening.

Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses the symptoms of ingrown toenails, and provides advice on treating and preventing the troublesome foot pain.

A strong core is the best prevention for a painful hernia.

Dr. Jordan Metzl talks about symptoms, remedies and prevention methods for shoulder injuries common in triathletes.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness can be intense. Learn what’s normal and how to minimize the pain.

Dealing with a pulled hamstring? Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses the symptoms, as well as how to fix it and prevent it in the future.

Suffering from pain, swelling and stiffness in the knee? Learn how to maintain fitness while reducing the wear and tear on your knees.

How to prevent and treat patellar tendinitis, an affliction that happens just below the kneecap

Dealing with constant IT Band Pain? Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses the symptoms, as well as how to fix it and prevent it in the future.

Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses the iliotibial band or I.T. Band Syndrome. This is a pervasive issue in runners and very treatable.

Dr. Jordan Metzl discusses what causes an aching Achilles tendon and offers some advice for getting over this injury.

Dr. Jordan Metzl explains the importance of taking care of your skin when working out.

Dr. Jordan Metzl identifies the common causes of neck pain in endurance athletes and offers several effective treatment options.

It seems people like to read about hilarious/crazy/disturbing failures of others, so here are some stories from the med tent.

Dr. Jordan Metzl explains how to spot, treat and prevent one of the most common running-related injuries: shin splints.

Dr. Jordan Metzl shares the most common triathlon-related queries he gets—and gives his medical advice.

Learn how running in the right shoe can help lessen the likelihood of injury and enhance your running experience.

Learn how from Dr. Jordan Metzl.

In this video Dr. Jordan Metzl identifies the different types of bad back pain that typically plague endurance athletes and explains which means of treatment are most effective.

Dr. Jordan Metzl advises the most important decision any runner will ever make: how to choose the right running shoe. Learn how choosing the right shoe can help lessen the likelihood of injury and enhance your running experience.

Fix and prevent this common lower-leg injury.