Active Evolution Studio

05/16/2024

This week's topic: Protein Intake! Although this article has some ads in it, it has all the bullet points we need to consider about the amount of protein our bodies need to perform as we expect it to. Whether you're a professional athlete, a mom who is just trying to keep up with her family, or an older adult staying independent as long as possible, you need protein.

https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/protein?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=Q2%20May%2012%20-%20Protein%20Creamer%20Deep%20Dive%20%282024-05-14%29&utm_content=You%20should%20get%20a%20minimum%20of%2010%25%20of%20your%20daily%20calories%20from%20protein&_kx=ITKjFQrobvfnUq4DsvzvVLB_6MO1n8d6U7iPgRSB28g.tFDKNB

The general standard is 1g of protein per pound of body weight, and that's how much you need to consume daily. Many people struggle with this, and it can be as simple as changing what foods you eat and replacing them with protein rich foods. It is possible to overdo the protein, so making sure you are eating a well balanced diet is important to maintain energy levels.

How much protein do you need to stay healthy? Learn how to choose the best sources of protein for your diet.

05/02/2024

How important is performance based training, more specifically sports vision training, in injury prevention? SO IMPORTANT!

We recently received an athlete that had a recent, and we mean within the last month of her starting training, retinal detachment repair. High school athlete began sports vision training with minimal peripheral vision in the affected eye and zero central vision in the affected eye, while the "good" eye suffers from a moderate cataract.

When she started sports vision training she had a 5 sec reaction time, granted with just the left eye, however it opened her eyes to how important injury prevention is.

Within 3 visits (1 and 1/2 weeks of training) she improved her reaction time from 5 seconds to 2.5 seconds! Not only does this commend the athlete for working hard, but demonstrates how the body responds to performance training. Our goal is for her to be able to play her sport of choice (which she is fully cleared to do) and play with confidence in her vision safely.

06/16/2023

The Pines Pizza & Pub in Cedar Rapids now has a little free library! They are also doing a summer reading challenge; see below for details.
As a concussion rehab clinician, I challenge any and all of my patients to read a little bit each day as part of their recovery. 5 minutes at a time may be all someone can tolerate after a concussion, and that's okay! It's just a great way to stay mentally active and work on getting those eyes to work together. Reach out if you have any questions about The Pines reading challenge. Good luck!

STARTING TODAY:
THE PINES SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
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Read books, win prizes, and read 1400 minutes this summer!!
How it works:
1) Come to The Pines and ask a server or bartender to sign up for the challenge.
2) Receive your tracking sheet for your reading minutes.
3) Color in a “Pine” every time you complete 20 minutes of reading.
4) Fill all the Pines and redeem for a prize!!!!
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There are 4 different tracking sheets with 4 different prizes: A fidget toy, a dessert of choice, a round of mini golf, and if you complete all four — an exclusive invite to our Reader’s Party and a Pines Reading Challenge tee shirt!!!
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All ages are welcome. Feel free to borrow books from our little free library to complete during the challenge! Must sign up in store and track using our tracking sheets. Must complete and redeem one tracking sheet to begin the next. Readers who complete all 4 sheets will have read a total of 1400 minutes this summer. Ends 8/15/2023.

09/03/2021

Neck strengthening is such an important part of sports performance, but can also be used to prevent injury or even prevent an injury from being so detrimental. has come out with some "go to" neck exercises to be doing in order to improve performance and get better, faster, stronger!

6 Best Exercises to Strengthen Neck Muscles Keval Shah - 8/31 Exercise should be an essential part of your health and wellness routine - but do you really need to do exercises to strengthen neck muscles? The short answer is yes - you should be doing neck strengthening exercises, particularly if you....

08/18/2021

Sustaining physical, mental, and emotional trauma is part of the reality of sport and daily life. Recovering from this kind of injury will take dedication, motivation, and specifically visual therapy to get this athlete up and running to the same caliber (or better) than he was before this traumatic experience.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Chris Bassitt was carted off the field Tuesday night after he was struck on the side of the head by a line drive during the second inning of a 9-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

08/17/2021

https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/lower-handgrip-strength-associated-cognitive-impairment

Have you exercised today?!

NIH-funded study links low handgrip strength to higher likelihood of cognitive impairment in adults over age 50.

06/03/2021

Research shows that sports vision training not only improves athletic performance, but decreases risk of injury in all aspects. The article below covers methods, rhymes, and reasons for why sports vision training is important for people of all ages and levels of activity. Even Babe Ruth's visual acuity and daily function was proven to be linked to his outstanding athletic performance!
What's even more exciting, is that all of the tools listed in the article we use here at Active Evolution Studio. Our staff focus on creating specific programs for each athlete, to improve their skills specific to their sport(s) and goals.

05/14/2021

Nutrition is a crucial part of performance, both on and off the field. "In general, the brain needs more than 20% of the body's energy to function and fuel it's processes, such as transmitting and processing electrical signals." (NATA news, Doane & Searles)

The Role of Nutrition in Mental Health for Athletes discusses how the brain needs a constant flow of energy, and what types of foods the brain runs on the best to expel this constant energy.

We thoroughly believe that whether you are at the peak of your athletic career, or a senior citizen walking down the driveway you are considered an athlete; 0-100! Each individual needs to fuel their brain in order to reach their goals.

Read the NATA News, the only magazine solely dedicated to the athletic training profession The NATA News, your tangible connection to your professional association, arrives in your mailbox at the beginning of each month. Your membership magazine is your source for features, analysis and nationwide a...

01/20/2021

Concussion is more than just a hit to the head, there can be various systems involved and no concussion is sustained in the same way. This past AFC and NFC divisional games showed us this very fact with key players presenting signs of a concussion after non-head contact tackles. Major trajectories that are involved into each and every concussion: Vision, vestibular, cognition, post-trauma migraine, and anxiety. Take the proper steps to train and recover within each trajectory.

Patrick Mahomes Dizzy & Loses His Balance After Big HitDiscord Server: https://discord.gg/highlightheavenClip Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HighlightHel...

09/24/2020

https://www.pacificu.edu/about/media/eye-care-offers-window-athletes%E2%80%99-concussions?fbclid=IwAR1CANJBHzd3a2_DhYj0hxjq_taEEZzyEzu1raJsBFI9ENu5zJkvrGZgPbc

DeAnn Fitzgerald ’81, OD ’84 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has become well known for her focus on using optometry as a way to manage athletes’ concussions. She has developed protocols for young athletes who suffer head injuries, and her work has been widely shared and emulated around the country.

04/30/2020

Beginning Monday, May 4th, Cedar Rapids Vision and Motion and Active Evolution Studio will be open by appointment. There will be several changes to the way our office operates to follow the recommendations of the CDC. Our first concern is for the health and safety of our patients, doctors, and staff.

1. Our doors will remain locked during business hours. Patients will be let in for appointments. We will check your temperature and ask about symptoms upon arrival.
2. Our appointment schedule will be modified to reduce the number of patients in the office at once.
3. We ask that you not bring additional members of your family with you to appointments. One adult may accompany minor children or a caregiver of an adult patient.
4. All staff will wear masks and we will require patients to wear masks (we will provide one if you do not have one). Gloves will be used when indicated.
5. Staff will be disinfecting surfaces and equipment between every patient.
6. While you are in the office, please practice social distancing whenever possible and remain 6 feet away from other patrons.
8. If you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath or have been directly exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, we ask that you remain home and reschedule your appointment.

Please call 319-364-2311 to schedule an appointment.

03/21/2020

Update: Due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and the recommendations of the CDC, we will remain closed through May 3, 2020. Phones will still be answered at Dr. Fitzgerald & Associates Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm.

Cedar Rapids Vision in Motion and Active Evolution Studio are temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic effective March 21, 2020.

This decision has been made at the recommendation of the CDC and with the desire to preserve the health, safety, and well-being of our country, community, our patients, and staff. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.

Our tentative plan at this time is reopen on Monday, April 6th, but we will reassess the situation and keep you up to date.

If you have emergency eye care needs (eye infections, eye injuries, sudden loss of vision), you can call Dr. Fitzgerald & Associates at 319-366-3500 Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm to determine if you need to be seen.

Please stay safe and healthy!