Stay warm and safe

Our monthly Wellness Hour invited Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky of McMaster University to discuss an issue that many with FSHD face in winter: feeling especially susceptible to cold temperatures. He explains the role of muscles in generating heat. Larger muscles generate more heat. His laboratory compared people who exercise three times per week or more with those who exercise once a week and found that people who exercised less experienced greater loss of muscle mass over time. So exercising to maintain muscle mass should help people to generate more heat in cold weather.

Cold climates also mean icy surfaces and a greater risk of slipping and falling. Dr. Tarnopolsky, who is an avid sportsman himself, shared a wide variety of garments and equipment that help him to avoid falls and stay warm. His list covers the body from head to toe and includes many specific favorite products.

Helen Cave summarized his talk and list of recommended product. You can download it here.