Training the Brain: How to improve brain health, with Ryan Glatt and Aimee Nicotera

Training the Brain: How to improve brain health, with Ryan Glatt and Aimee Nicotera

We train our bodies for performance and longevity, but with so much focus on the physical aspects, little attention has been given to our brain health. In this episode, Ryan Glatt and Aimee Nicotera, co-authors of Brain Health and Exercise, explore the benefits and importance of training our brain.    Brain Health and Exercise: A Professional's Guide to Dual-Tasking Techniques and Programming https://monkeylink.co/cf0cf9 [https://us.humankinetics.com/products/brain-health-and-exercise?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast]   Ryan Glatt, MSc, CPT, MES, NBC-HWC Ryan Glatt is a certified personal trainer and a board-certified health and wellness coach with over a decade of experience. He focuses his exercise and health coaching strategies on brain health, personalizing lifestyle interventions for individuals with brain and cognitive health goals. Glatt has studied at Amen Clinics, the BrainFirst Institute, the Neuroscience Academy, and the Academy for Brain Health and Performance. He has a master's of applied neuroscience from King's College of London and is currently enrolled in a PhD program in leadership, with a minor in gerontology, through Concordia University of Chicago. Glatt is a senior brain health coach and the director of the FitBrain program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute. As the developer of the program, he combines brain and body training (also called dual-task training) through "serious exergaming" (purposeful, goal-oriented games that involve physical movement), which utilizes innovative technologies to train cognitive and physical skills simultaneously. His passion for "games for good" has continued into the realm of brain health, and he actively consults for several technology companies in clinical exergaming, gamified rehabilitation, and dual-task training. He also has a passion for continued education; he developed the first comprehensive course on brain health and exercise for health and fitness professionals, the Brain Health Trainer course, which is distributed by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). He is an experienced international speaker on the topic of brain health and exercise and enjoys educating professionals in a variety of settings.   Aimee Nicotera, MS, ACSM-EP, ACE-GFI, AFAA, PFT, AHHPS Level 3, AFAA GFI Aimee Nicotera is an international fitness presenter, owner of her own personal training business and virtual fitness studio, with over 30 years experience. She has served in roles such as health coach, high school health educator, corporate wellness advisor, and fitness director. With extensive experience creating and developing group fitness programs and consulting, researching, and writing for fitness companies - including Spartan, Life Time, and MOSSA - she is always exploring ways to create innovative fitness and wellness experiences. Nicotera holds a bachelor's degree in nutrition science, a master's degree in health education, and numerous certifications, including ACSM's Exercise Physiologist certification, ACE's Group Fitness Instructor certification, and AFAA's Personal Fitness Trainer credential. She holds the Institute of Motion's Level 3 Applied Health and Human Performance Specialist credential, and she is creator of the fitness DVD series 2x2 Conditioning and Take 20! as well as the E5 Collective, a science-based brain and body fitness format. She is a Master Trainer for Core Health & Fitness and co-lead for their CoreFit Cycle program powered by Schwinn. Aimee is the 2024 IDEA World Fitness Instructor of the Year. As a board member of Youth Athletic Foundation, Aimee is actively involved in promoting and supporting local youth in Cape Cod, MA and surrounding areas, to embrace active lifestyles.

Effects of sprint interval training before and after practice for basketball players

Speed training, and specifically sprint interval training, is essential for performance improvements among basketball players. For coaches, the question becomes the timing of speed training. Should it be done at the beginning of practice, or after basketball-specific training? In this episode we breakdown a recently published research study exploring the effects of speed training before and after practice. Which order do you think is best? Sequencing Effects of Sprint Interval Training Applied Before or After Regular Basketball Training on Sex-Specific Physical Performance Adaptations in Young Athletes Tian, L., Jie, C., and Guo, H. (2025). Sequencing effects of sprint interval training applied before or after regular basketball training on sex-specific physical performance adaptations in young athletes. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 20; 1654-1664.     Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

What's they hype around hypertrophy? with Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson

You don't have to be a bodybuilder to train for hypertrophy. In fact, hypertrophy is a goal of many people who train regularly and never intend to step on stage for competition. In this episode, certified trainers Aaron Patterson and Frank Eyeson discuss training for hypertrophy, what a training plan might look like for someone seeking to add muscle, and some common myths surrounding this popular training method.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. As a CMPC, Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.   Frank Eyeson, MS, NASM-CPT, CWC, CNC Frank Eyeson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health and fitness, including exercise technique videos and podcast episodes. As a marketing and social media manager, Frank also develops strategic campaigns that connect audiences with trusted, evidence-based resources to help them move better, train smarter, and live healthier.   With over 10 years of experience in the fitness industry, Frank is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, and nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). He holds a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in Strategic Brand Communication from the University of Illinois. Frank’s content resonates with health-conscious individuals and fitness professionals alike, bridging the gap between expert knowledge and real-world application. On the Human Kinetics podcast, he brings a grounded, audience-first voice to conversations covering everything fitness—from strength training, recovery, and sport performance to nutrition, mental health, injury prevention, and overall wellness. He is passionate about making fitness education accessible, sustainable, and rooted in science. Outside of the gym and work, Frank enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, traveling, and relaxing with a good show.

Do halftime re-warm-ups improve performance?

Athletes have a standard warm-up routine to get ready for competition. But what about halftime? It could be argued the athletes don't need to warm up again, but others might disagree. After getting passive rest during the break, are there benefits to going through a re-warm-up before the action continues? In this episode, we take a look at a piece of research that attempts to answer that question.   Aaron Patterson, M.S., NSCA-CPT, CWPC, CSAC, CTPS Aaron Patterson provides informative and educational content for Human Kinetics in the areas of health, fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport performance including exercise technique videos, author interviews, and podcast episodes. Certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Aaron has over 12 years of experience as a personal trainer and sport performance coach. He holds specialty certifications as a Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach (CWPC), Certified Speed and Agility Coach (CSAC), and Certified Tennis Performance Specialist (CTPS).   Training primarily middle school and high school athletes, Aaron recognized the growing need for athletes to also work on their mental performance. It was then that he pursued his master's degree in Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sport Psychology to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Aaron coaches high performers on mental aspects of their sport performance to build confidence, reduce anxiety, regulate their emotions, and more.   As a track and field coach specializing in jumps and sprints, Aaron is also a Certified American Sport Education Program Coach, and is a member of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). Aaron completed his Master of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise and Sport Psychology, from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Benefits of stretching beyond flexibility, with Dr. Tyler Farney

There are numerous benefits to stretching, including reducing soreness, improving flexibility, and prepping for physical activity. But did you know, there are many health benefits that go beyond flexibility? In this episode, Dr. Tyler Farney, co-author of Stretching Anatomy, Fourth Edition, discusses why stretching is so important and how we can benefit from incorporating it into our daily routine.   Stretching Anatomy, Fourth Edition https://monkeylink.co/66e582 [https://us.humankinetics.com/products/stretching-anatomy-4th-edition?utm_source=podbean&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast] Tyler M. Farney, PhD, CSCS Dr. Tyler Farney is an assistant professor in the Division of Health Sciences and Human Performance at Concordia University Chicago. His research has examined the biochemical, physiological, and biomechanical adaptations in the neuromuscular system in response to acute and chronic stressors. Dr. Farney has over 15 years of strength and conditioning experience, which has included working with all levels of athletes, from high school to the professional levels. He earned his PhD in exercise physiology from Louisiana State University and resides in Salida, Colorado.