Our Athletic Trainers

The work of our athletic trainers requires frequent interaction with others. This includes consulting with physicians as well as frequent contact with our athletes to discuss and administer treatments, rehabilitation programs, injury-preventive practices, and other health-related issues.
We celebrate our Athletic Trainers and the hard work they do to keep our athletes healthy and on the field of play.

Trainers News

• Late Afternoon is Best for Exercise
  Research shows that the optimal time to exercise is when our body temperature is at its highest, which, for most people is 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (body temperature is at its lowest just before waking).
• Strength is Greater in the Afternoon
  Research has found that strength output is 5% higher at around mid-day; anaerobic performance, such as sprinting, improves by 5% in the late afternoon.
• Endurance is Greater in the Afternoon
  Aerobic capacity (endurance) is approximately 4% higher in the afternoon.
• Injuries Are Less Likely in the Afternoon
  Afternoon exercise is the best if you want to avoid injuries for many reasons. We are most alert; our body temperature is the highest so our muscles are warm and flexible; and our muscle strength is at its greatest. These three factors make it less likely that we will get injured.
• Morning Exercisers Are More Consistent
  Even though afternoon exercise might be optimal from a physiological standpoint, research also shows that morning exercisers are more likely to stick to it than late-day athletes. The most important thing is a consistent exercise regimen.
• Evening Exercise and Sleep
  Most research supports the idea that exercise can improve sleep quality. But does exercising too late in the evening keep you up? Studies have shown improvements in sleep from both morning and afternoon exercise, so it's not yet clear if evening exercise keeps you up. One study even showed that vigorous exercise half an hour before bedtime did not affect sleep.

One thing that is agreed upon is that sleep deprivation can hinder sports performance.
The Bottom Line
The good news is that you get to decide the best time for you to exercise based upon your personal goals, schedule and lifestyle. Ideally, you will pick a time that you are able to stick with consistently and make part of your daily or weekly schedule. If you are training for competition, it's wise to modify your training to accommodate the event start time, and it's always wise to warm up before any workout.

New Caney
Athletic Trainers

Kristie Hayes
Bryant Spencer

Contact: 281-723-4706

Special Training Links

Sports Metrics