<Groan> Trainer Does Not Equal Scientist
CaptainMFP
Posts: 440 Member
Just read a blog post that makes me nuts for all the people in MFP who rely on the "absolute truth" dispensed by trainers/fitness authors. No offense to my brothers and sisters in training...seriously, this is not an attack on trainers. Rather, it is the simple point that being a trainer does not give a person in-depth scientific understanding of the human body as is developed by physicians, biologists, and other health science professionals. Most trainers I know understand this and do a very good job of presenting their knowledge appropriately, professionally, and in context. However, certain individuals (Lyle McDonald in this case) attain cult-like status among people and this leads to the distribution of false information. (I'm also not blaming Mr. McDonald here. I'm calling out people who spread false info and use trainers/authors/fitness gurus who are not in the know as sources of information.)
Ahem. Leptin is produced mainly in the adipose tissue of the body. It is produced in other places but it is NOT a thyroid hormone. The true thyroid hormones are hydrophobic monoamines that are chemically distinct from leptin, which is a peptide hormone. The thyroid hormones directly stimulate cellular metabolism. Leptin's main effect is on the brain in terms of increasing or decreasing central control of metabolism, especially with reference to body fat. Leptin's effects on reproductive physiology are minimal compared to the effects of other hormones. There are inter-relationships between leptin and thyroid hormones, but the incorrect linkage of leptin to thyroid hormones if flat out false.
Check your references before you accept facts. Trainers are very good sources of information on training issues. Diet and muscle building, avoiding injury, macros to eat before/after training, etc. But medical or scientific references are more appropriate for hard physiology and cell biology...with scientists trumping physicians for cellular-level issues. You want multiple references backing you up. For a quick run through on scientific literacy, see my October 29 blog post. (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/scschenk/view/how-not-to-be-a-health-and-fitness-sucka-a-case-for-scientific-literacy-163995)
Feel free to post follow up questions or topics where you think bad info gets circulated through poor choice of references.
Ahem. Leptin is produced mainly in the adipose tissue of the body. It is produced in other places but it is NOT a thyroid hormone. The true thyroid hormones are hydrophobic monoamines that are chemically distinct from leptin, which is a peptide hormone. The thyroid hormones directly stimulate cellular metabolism. Leptin's main effect is on the brain in terms of increasing or decreasing central control of metabolism, especially with reference to body fat. Leptin's effects on reproductive physiology are minimal compared to the effects of other hormones. There are inter-relationships between leptin and thyroid hormones, but the incorrect linkage of leptin to thyroid hormones if flat out false.
Check your references before you accept facts. Trainers are very good sources of information on training issues. Diet and muscle building, avoiding injury, macros to eat before/after training, etc. But medical or scientific references are more appropriate for hard physiology and cell biology...with scientists trumping physicians for cellular-level issues. You want multiple references backing you up. For a quick run through on scientific literacy, see my October 29 blog post. (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/scschenk/view/how-not-to-be-a-health-and-fitness-sucka-a-case-for-scientific-literacy-163995)
Feel free to post follow up questions or topics where you think bad info gets circulated through poor choice of references.
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I think an important thing that people should note about trainers is that there are a WIDE variety of ways to get the title "trainer." There are some programs that would let ME become a trainer (sad-lol), and I've worked with a trainer with a dual master in nutrition and exercise something (sorry I don't remember) who was a professor at Meredith. The information can vary. I totally agree with Steve- put in a little fact checking work before you accept training advice as science!
GREAT POST STEVE!!0 -
A very valid point, Crystal. The majority of trainers I know are not educated at the level you described, but you are absolutely right in noting that some are. It's all about the source and how the info is used.
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Great post, Steve. I get annoyed when I see that too. If I ever had a trainer, I'd want him or her to have a degree in exercise science or a related field.0
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I am a scientist. Does that mean I get to be a trainer too? >.>
Okay... I'll stop being a snot. I agree with you, Steve. I think it's important to remember that we all have our specialties. One of the things I'm personally trying to learn is how to say "I don't know" when I don't know. I tend to guess and make assumptions and that's bad :P (unless I actually say "I'm guessing"). It's human to reach and over-extend... but it's also the source of so many diet and exercise myths. Sometimes myths don't hurt, but sometimes they do.
On another note-
I've read about Leptin. When news of it first came out, a lot of people were excited and thought they'd found the 'obesity hormone'. I think I remember some saying they were on the verge of curing the obesity epidemic. But it didn't pan out. What are your thoughts on that?0 -
Man, re-reading what I wrote, I sound like an arrogant b****. I'm sorry guys
I was in a mood yesterday.
Oddly enough, I sorta-kinda know the trainer in question. I don't know him personally, but he's a friend of my sister and I've seen him post frequently. I generally like what he has to say. And he corrected his blog. He probably should be more careful about what he says, because people do tend to believe what trainers say, even if there isn't any data to back them up, but I'm sure it was an honest mistake.
I was thinking about this in light of my work. I'm new to the endocrine field and have really had to play catch-up. It's been tough. I'm really a neuropharmacologist by training and I just don't know my hormones well at all. So... point is, I rely a lot on what my boss tells me. He's a PhD too and a pretty smart man, a leader in the field of hormones + Alzheimer's disease. I trust him. I've never thought to double check him. But lately, I've been digging through the literature as I prepare my own NIH application for funding, and my boss has some minor biases. They're not big things, but they're good reminders that I need to form my own opinions and not let him spoon feed me.0 -
Man, re-reading what I wrote, I sound like an arrogant b****. I'm sorry guys I was in a mood yesterday.
I didn't get that from you at all!0 -
Man, re-reading what I wrote, I sound like an arrogant b****. I'm sorry guys I was in a mood yesterday.
I didn't get that from you at all!
Oh good
I was worried.
My cortisol levels have been a bit high lately >.> and my filters haven't been functioning at their optimum level. (That's my silly way of saying I'm uber stressed and grumpy. Thus, I sometimes say things in a less than positive way.)
P.S. I wasn't grumpy at anyone in this thread. I totally agreed with what Steve said... and... yah... I was just a grouch generally.0 -
As a trainer I will agree. Though I know alot about fitness, kineosiology, and nutrition, I will back any statement I make with Peer Reviewed Clinical studies from respected journals of medicine to verify that I'm not just talking out of my *kitten*.
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
As a trainer I will agree. Though I know alot about fitness, kineosiology, and nutrition, I will back any statement I make with Peer Reviewed Clinical studies from respected journals of medicine to verify that I'm not just talking out of my *kitten*.
This is why I trust you, you are a good one. :flowerforyou:0 -
As a trainer I will agree. Though I know alot about fitness, kineosiology, and nutrition, I will back any statement I make with Peer Reviewed Clinical studies from respected journals of medicine to verify that I'm not just talking out of my *kitten*.
This is why I trust you, you are a good one. :flowerforyou:
/agree
I appreciate that. I enjoy reading your posts.0 -
I would just like to add that the HCG thing is driving me crazy. If you talk to anyone who's doing it and having "success" they will say oh, but I get the good kind or the real kind or something else really annoying. And I'm sorry but I don't buy that you aren't throwing your metabolism for a loop and catabolizing at least some muscle tissue, especially if you aren't lifting and eating protien. And yeah Niner says stuff that I've heard by others who subscribe to the same plan I do: Work your *kitten* off, lift heavy, eat enough protien but not too many overall calories and increase your workload session after you consistantly use good form.0
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not a scientist or a trainer but went to nursing school and had 2 seperate bouts of A&P which I love and if I had it to do over again I would want a career as an A&P prof. Kids kept getting sick so I had to quit in the 2nd Quarter of nursing school with a 3.54 average... i was slacking too. Had a new baby and wanted to play with him more than study. 0
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