Jill Barker, Ottawa Citizen

Jill Barker

Ottawa Citizen

Canada

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Recent:
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Past:
  • Ottawa Citizen

Past articles by Jill:

Fitness: Home workout programs to try in 2023

For those who need the convenience and flexibility of virtual fitness services. → Read More

Fitness: Which has more impact on long-term health — diet or exercise?

In a perfect world, we’d exercise and sit down to a homemade meal most if not all days of the week. But we’re not perfect — far from it. → Read More

Fitness: Has a pickleball injury left you in a pickle?

Even professionals who treat sports injuries are surprised at the number of pickleball players limping into their offices. → Read More

Fitness: Has high-intensity interval training been oversold?

The no-pain, no-gain philosophy of exercise has always been embraced by the few, not the masses. → Read More

Fitness: Retirement is more than a chance to put your feet up

A sedentary lifestyle doesn’t bode well for long-term health, especially as we age. → Read More

Fitness: Exercise can't outrun a bad diet

The idea that some extra exercise can protect you from the consequences of dietary vices is a tempting one, but there's little evidence to support it. → Read More

Fitness: Is Pickleball really a workout?

When fun and fitness take equal stage, not only will participation rise, so will adherence. → Read More

Fitness: The runner's high and how to find your flow

Giving yourself the freedom to change goals on the fly based on how you feel makes running less of a chore and helps get you into the zone. → Read More

Fitness: How tough was your last workout?

There are simple ways to measure exercise intensity, including chit-chat and nursery rhymes. → Read More

Fitness: How active are our kids after school?

Children are spending less time being physically active, with more and more free play being replaced by adult-led programs that don’t always prioritize keeping kids moving. → Read More

Fitness: Here are 8 strategies to get Canadians moving

Only 16 per cent of adults get in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week. → Read More

Fitness: Olympics are a display of true grit

The Tokyo athletes embody persistence and passion to succeed. → Read More

Fitness: E-bikes don't take the charge out of cycling

Research suggests they shouldn’t be viewed as a means to exercise less, but rather as an opportunity to exercise more. → Read More

Do you have the urge the raid the fridge after a tough workout?

A study shows most people get more hungry after exercise, but there's a way to avoid eating up all the calories you just burned. → Read More

Fitness: Wrap up 2020 with gifts for exercise enthusiasts

Here are some rewards for making it through a year when it was even harder than usual to keep moving. → Read More

Fitness: Are certain athletes born to win?

The relative age effect says those with a birthday in the early part of the year are more likely to excel. That doesn't mean someone born in November should give up. → Read More

Fitness: Treat those aching knees and hips with exercise

Osteoarthritis has been linked to the wear and tear of living an active life, yet there’s little science to suggest a lifelong love of exercise will lead to sore joints. → Read More

Barker on fitness: Is ‘load management’ really a thing in sport?

Load management has been a buzz phrase since the Raptors cited it for sitting a healthy Kawhi Leonard during the regular season. → Read More

Fitness: Is stretching a waste of time?

Twenty years ago, stretching was an integral part of almost all warmups. Nowadays, it has disappeared from most pre-workout routines. → Read More

Fitness: How much does exercise inspire other healthy habits?

Try monitoring several lifestyle markers as you boost your activity levels. Take note of your diet, sleeping habits, blood pressure, heart rate and time spent with your feet up. → Read More