Last week's Heart Zones Conference 2008, Active Healthy Living, held at the beautiful University of Denver campus again provided the latest news from the experts - researchers, clinicians, and lifestyle experts. Here are just a few pearls of wisdom from the keynote presentations:

Periodization of training has no scientific validation. There is no research that shows that periodizing your training is of any benefit. According to Carl Foster, Ph. D,. and past president of the American College of Sports Medicin (ACSM), "Periodization is how to mix various types of training to get optimal competitive result at the desired time. There are virtually no controlled data addressing the value of periodization." Additionally, Foster suggests that some of the originators of the periodization training system developed the program to match the cycle of steroid and other performance enhancing drugs to both conceal their use and to give their athletes the stress-strain cycle they needed to maximize their illegal use.

Exercise is a very powerful medicine. Dr. Phil Skiba, coach and sports physician (www.physfarm.com) spurred by the direction of ACSM provided information about the health benefits of exercise for those suffering from Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease , gallbladder disease, depression, and some site specific cancers. The best health prescription, as good if not better than many medications, is exercise.

Whole person training. Ironman champion Sue Latshaw revealed some of her training secrets that took her to a sub 9 hour record. Three of those keys for Sue were as follows: (1) If it ain' t working, do something else. (2) Use all of the training tools and seek knowledge, (3) It's not just about speed and performance, it's about creating resonance in your training to develop the whole person.

Your body can talk. Experience Life magazine editor Pilar Gerasimo, VP, Education, Life Time Fitness, shared in her keynote that if you can remember anything, remember that your body-mind tells you when your life requires your attention (and sometimes tells others as well). If you ignore your body you do so at your own peril, and you can change your life for the better by listening and taking action.

There are two thresholds, not one. Carl Foster, Ph. D. lectured extensively on the double threshold model. Up until now, threshold training has been viewed as a single intensity level between aerobic and non- aerobic (sometimes call anaerobic threshold or LT). According to Foster, there are two physiological markers for shifts in metabolic response to exercise - Low Threshold (LT1 or VT1) and High Threshold (LT2, VT2, or AT). There will be more to follow on the two markers for this training method in future issues. Note that the workout of the month (read on) is a simple field test to determine both low threshold and high threshold.

Heart Zones USA has created a 2-day coaching certification for those interested in becoming certified community triathlon coaches. The certification includes how to design training plans, testing and assessments, sport-specific skills, and other coach training content. Fifteen new community triathlon coaches graduated from the program after attending the sixteen hour course at the Heart Zones Conference 2008. If you or your triathlon group is interested in hosting a coaching certification contact Cindy Miller, National Coach, Heart Zones Coaching at cindy.miller@heartzones.com. Further information is available here