The TriDoc Podcast, triathlon and health in one place

In this episode:Skeletal muscles are made up of fast twitch and slow twitch fibers each of which has differing properties. The amount of each fiber in muscle varies from person to person and while it is possible to determine this makeup, it is not so easy. The architecture of muscle in each individual is important in determining how a person can perform in different types of sports and also, how each will respond to training. Should people try to determine what their muscle typology is and adapt their training to it? We discuss in the Medical Mailbag. Kennon Heard is an emergency physician and endurance athlete who collapsed in cardiac arrest after a family fun run in May. He discusses his experience and how he is moving forward as well as how the rest of us should think about this experience in context of our own endurance pursuits as we age.Segments:[10:30]- Medical Mailbag: Muscle typology and training[35:14]- Interview: Kennon HeardLinksLearn CPR

In this episode:It is a fact of life that as we age endurance performance inevitably declines. But do both genders decline at the same rate or, does one gender decline more slowly than the other? Hear what the research says on the Medical Mailbag. Plus, Chris Bagg is the head coach at Campfire Endurance and the writer of an article on whether or not we as triathletes should be focusing on hunting mice or antelope. Don't know what this means? You will and you will have a much better understanding of where to focus your energy and expenditures for training after listening to our conversation.Segments:[10:59]- Medical Mailbag: Aging decline and gender variability[33:15]- Interview: Chris Bagg LinksMMB video on YouTubeIronmanhacks video with ChrisChris' articleChris's Facebook page @campfire_endurance on Instagram Chris's Website @Chrisbagg on X Chris on YouTube

In this episode:How does cardiorespiratory fitness affect the lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in women? In the Medical Mailbag we look at new research that suggests daily exercise can have a profound effect on decreasing the likelihood of developing this disease. Plus, an interview with age group triathlete, author and coach Doug Morris on how multisport brings him joy and how he shares that with whomever he can.Segments:[09:27]- Medical Mailbag: Fitness and risk of breast cancer[35:00]- Interview: Doug Morris LinksTriing on Amazon

In this episode:How much do biomechanics influence running economy and is this something that coaches and athletes should work on improving? New research sheds some light and reveals some surprising answers to this questions. Mark Cullen is a successful age group triathlete a coach and one half of the co-hosting duo of the Endurance Icons podcast. He talks to me about all of this and along with the balancing act of being both the husband and the coach of a professional triathlete.Segments:[7:17]- Medical Mailbag: Biomechanics and running economy[36:14]- Interview: Mark Cullen Links@Markcullen_coach on Instagram Endurance Icons on Apple PodcastsUse the Garmin metronome function: Video

In this episode:During allergy season many use antihistamine medications as a means of controlling their symptoms. Emerging evidence suggests that there may be a cost to this practice in the form of decreased endurance performance. On the Medical Mailbag we look at the evidence. Jonathan Su is a long time physical therapist who has written a book that he promises can be a 6-minute solution to knee pain. We discuss his book and the methods that he describes within it.Segments:[12:22]- Medical Mailbag: Antihistamines[36:57]- Interview: Jonathan Su LinksJonathan's Website 6-Minute Knee Pain Cure on Amazon

In this episode:Ginseng is a root purported to have myriad beneficial properties making its use widespread in Chinese medicine and across the far east. Recently, a listener asked if this traditional remedy might also have benefits for athletes? On the Medical Mailbag, we dig in to the evidence for and against. Dr. Jim Taylor is a PhD in psychology and has worked with many professional and high level age group triathletes. He believes that training the mind is as important as training the body and he thinks that there are ways to leverage psychology to extract mental marginal gains that add up to improvements in performance. He tells me all about it in our conversation.Segments:[12:42]- Medical Mailbag: Can Ginseng make you faster?[34:51]- Interview: Dr. Jim Taylor LinksDr. Jim's Facebook page @DrJimTaylor on Instagram @DrJimTaylor on X Dr. Jim's Website Dr. Jim on YouTube

In this episode:Strength training is advocated for by coaches all the time in order to mitigate injury and improve endurance performance but finding scientific evidence to support these claims has been difficult. A new study gives some insight on the performance aspect and we look at it in the Medical Mailbag. Triathletes can take their selfish pursuit to extremes and put their relationships at risk. Couples' therapist Dr. Kayla Crane speaks with me to help us understand how to get ahead of those kinds of problems and make sure that your pursuit of happiness in multisport does not run afoul of your partner's pursuit of happiness on the home front.Segments:[13:35]- Medical Mailbag: Strength to improve running performance?[40:33]- Interview: Kayla CraneLinksKayla's Facebook page @southdenvertherapy on Instagram Kayla's Website

In this episode:I first looked at pneumatic compression boots back in episode 3 in 2019. Has there been any research published since then to suggest that my original recommendation has changed? We look at new research in this episode's Medical Mailbag. Plus, an interview with busy entrepreneur, mom and podcaster Doien Morin Van Dam. Her ability to keep many balls in the air and be a success in running makes for a great story and one that we can all learn from.Segments:[08:21]- Medical Mailbag: Pneumatic Compression Boots[28:34]- Interview: Dorien Morin-van Dam LinksDorien's Facebook page @moreinmedia on Instagram @moreinmedia on X Dorien's Website Dorien on YouTube

In this episode:Gatorade Endurance is being replaced by Mortal Hydration on IM and 70.3 courses in North America this year. What does that mean for athletes who rely on products provided at aid stations for fueling and hydration? We look at this question in the Medical Mailbag along with special guest Alex Larson. Plus, a conversation with Tyler Pedersen. From college football player to overweight near alcoholic, Tyler found himself in multi-sport. Hear how he has used triathlon to rediscover his purpose.Segments:[09:37]- Medical Mailbag: Mortal Hydration[38:15]- Interview: E. Tyler Pedersen Links@alexlarsonnutrition on Instagram Alex 's Website @e.tylerpedersen on Instagram E. Tyler 's Facebook page

In this episode:Turmeric lends a bright color and savory flavor to curries and other foods. For many centuries it has also been used as a natural remedy for most everything that ails you. Recently this spice has been advocated as a miracle anti-inflammatory cure by makers of supplements who sell versions of this root in powders and capsules. But what does the science say and is there a use for this possible wonder food for athletes? We take a look on the Medical Mailbag. Plus, an interview with newly minted rookie professional triathlete Jessica Cullen. Fresh off of her debut in Oceanside she shares her experience on being in such a big race to start her career and how she manages to fit in the training, a bust career and hosting a podcast all while staying exceptionally joyful.Segments:[06:15]- Medical Mailbag: Turmeric as anti-inflammatory?[27:05]- Interview: Jessica Cullen LinksEndurance Icons podcastJessica on IG