--- title: Health & Fitness Blog - NASM | Mike Bracko description: For health and fitness topics, backed by the latest research in the field, browse our blog for industry-leading findings. ---   [![NASM](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Nasm_December2018/images/logo186x62.png)](https://blog.nasm.org) - [NASM.org](https://www.nasm.org) - [Fitness](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/fitness) - [CPT](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt) - [Nutrition](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/nutrition) - [CES](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/ces) - [Sports Performance](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/sports-performance) - [Workout Plans](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/workout-plans) - [Wellness](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/wellness) # Mike Bracko ### Recent Posts [![group of kids sitting on court with a variety of sport balls](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/afm_column_column_specialtytraining1.jpg?width=723&name=afm_column_column_specialtytraining1.jpg)](https://blog.nasm.org/training-youth-athletes) [American Fitness Magazine](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/american-fitness-magazine) [Youth Fitness](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/youth-fitness) ## [Getting Young Athletes Off to a Strong Start](https://blog.nasm.org/training-youth-athletes) [Mike Bracko](https://blog.nasm.org/author/mike-bracko) | March 1, 2017 Originally appeared in the 2017 spring issue of American Fitness Magazine. Conditioning can keep kids off the sidelines by improving skills and reducing injuries. You've probably heard that today's youth are lazy, overweight and addicted to gaming. Don't ... [Read More](https://blog.nasm.org/training-youth-athletes) [![2 trainers doing flexibility training on a park bench](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/flex.jpg?width=723&name=flex.jpg)](https://blog.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/training-relevance-of-flexibility) [CPT](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt) [Sports Performance](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/sports-performance) [stretching](https://blog.nasm.org/tag/stretching) ## [Flexibility Training: Why Stretching and Flexibility is Important](https://blog.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/training-relevance-of-flexibility) [Mike Bracko](https://blog.nasm.org/author/mike-bracko) | February 23, 2017 Stretching and flexibility training have undergone dramatic changes in the fitness and sports training realm. Over the last ten to fifteen years more research has been published and subsequently applied to fitness and conditioning programs. [Read More](https://blog.nasm.org/certified-personal-trainer/training-relevance-of-flexibility) [1](https://blog.nasm.org/author/mike-bracko/page/1) [![SelfImproveW1](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NA_Your%20Better%20Life%20Blueprint_375x452ad_Email_Week1_082526.jpg?width=357&height=452&name=NA_Your%20Better%20Life%20Blueprint_375x452ad_Email_Week1_082526.jpg)](https://www.nasm.org/continuing-education/free-nasm-course?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=blogad&utm_content=blogsidebar-SelfImproveW1) [![LaborDaySaleFS](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NASM_LDS_BLOG_SO_FS_357X452.webp?width=357&height=452&name=NASM_LDS_BLOG_SO_FS_357X452.webp)](https://www.nasm.org/nasm?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=blogad&utm_content=blogsidebar-LaborDaySaleFS)   ### Sign up to receive content, exclusive offers, and much more from NASM! - [Popular](https://blog.nasm.org/author/mike-bracko/page/1#tabs-1) - [Recent](https://blog.nasm.org/author/mike-bracko/page/1#tabs-2) ![Salmon, eggs, and grains on table ](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/natural-protein-food-on-table-PLYFFS7-750x375.jpg?width=62&name=natural-protein-food-on-table-PLYFFS7-750x375.jpg) ### [Protein and Weight Loss: How Much Protein Do You Need to Eat Per Day?](https://blog.nasm.org/nutrition/how-much-protein-should-you-eat-per-day-for-weight-loss) By Brad Dieter ![](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-11538168762.jpg?width=62&name=iStock-11538168762.jpg) ### [Body Types: Mesomorph, Ectomorph, & Endomorph Explained](https://blog.nasm.org/body-types-mesomorph-ectomorphs-endomorphs-explained) By Kinsey Cave ![Shoulder movement through the 3 planes of motion](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Screen-Shot-2019-05-28-at-1_56_36-PM-1024x451.png?width=62&name=Screen-Shot-2019-05-28-at-1_56_36-PM-1024x451.png) ### [Sagittal, Frontal and Transverse Body Planes: Exercises & Movements](https://blog.nasm.org/exercise-programming/sagittal-frontal-traverse-planes-explained-with-exercises) By Andrew Payne ![woman doing a clamshell workout](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/clamshell-workout.jpg?width=62&name=clamshell-workout.jpg) ### [Banded Clamshell Workout](https://blog.nasm.org/banded-clamshell-workout) By Kinsey Cave ![](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-1131652611.jpg?width=62&name=iStock-1131652611.jpg) ### [9 of the Best Arm Sculpting Exercises to Tone & Strengthen](https://blog.nasm.org/9-best-arm-sculpting-exercises-for-tone-and-strength) By Nicole Golden ![](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/don%20wildman%20award%20blog%20hero.jpg?width=64&name=don%20wildman%20award%20blog%20hero.jpg) ### [Augie Nieto: 2024 Don Wildman Commitment to Excellence Award Winner](https://blog.nasm.org/augie-nieto-2024-don-wildman-commitment-to-excellence-award-winner) By Bill Apablasa ![](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/alcohol-nutrition-impact.jpg?width=64&name=alcohol-nutrition-impact.jpg) ### [Discussing Alcohol & Nutrition: Making Mindful Choices](https://blog.nasm.org/alcohol-and-nutrition-making-mindful-choices) By Darlene Marshall ![](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-1474411891.jpg?width=64&name=iStock-1474411891.jpg) ### [Global Wellness Institute: Highlighting The Fitness & Wellness Evolution](https://blog.nasm.org/a-fitness-and-wellness-evolution-look-back-ancient-civilizations-to-now) By Rick Richey, MS ![](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NA_PodcastNW_TheDrinkingPodcast_1920x1080-youtube%20thumbnail.jpg?width=64&name=NA_PodcastNW_TheDrinkingPodcast_1920x1080-youtube%20thumbnail.jpg) ### [Mindfulness & Drinking: Knowing How Much Alcohol is Too Much](https://blog.nasm.org/how-to-drink-more-mindfully) By NASM ![Maximizing Your HSA & FSA funds: What can you use them for?](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/iStock-1200750939.jpg?width=64&name=iStock-1200750939.jpg) ### [Here's How to Calculate & Improve Your RMR](https://blog.nasm.org/how-to-calculate-and-improve-rmr-resting-metabolic-rate) By Dana Bender [Get NASM Edge App!](https://www.nasm.org/edge)[NASM Podcast Network](https://www.nasm.org/resources/podcast-network)[NASM Promotions](https://www.nasm.org/promotions) [Free NASM Courses](https://www.nasm.org/continuing-education/free-nasm-courses)[How to Eat Healthy At Home](https://trainer.nasm.org/free-nutrition-mini-course)[The Importance of Foam Rolling](https://trainer.nasm.org/foam-rolling-course) [Downloads](https://www.nasm.org/resources/downloads)[Exercise Library](https://www.nasm.org/exercise-library)[Equipment Library](https://www.nasm.org/equipment-library) © 2024 NASM, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Your Privacy Choices