NatNews

Located in Richardson and owned and operated by Kevin Kuhn, Athlete Factors uses a combination of kinesiology, biochemistry, and sports nutrition to optimize individuals’ adaptations to training.

Kuhn, who was a competitive runner in high school and college and continues to enjoy the sport, had not originally planned on pursuing a career in kinesiology. In fact, he was on the path to becoming a professional runner after his collegiate career ended, but a back injury made him realize that he truly wanted to gain a better understanding of the mechanics of human movement. Thus began his journey to helping others in similar situations.

“Helping injured athletes get back to training and competition and then taking their fitness, recovery, and training adaptations to the next level is what I get to do every day,” he said.

With each athlete, Kuhn first walks him or her through a unique process that allows him to assess the quality of an individual’s movement and to identify any existing muscle imbalances. However, that’s not the only role he plays in working with athletes to help them overcome injuries and improve their overall mobility.

“Fixing these muscle imbalances makes athletes more resilient and more resistant to overuse injuries,” Kuhn said. “I can also switch hats to teaching you how to move athletically and efficiently by training your neuromuscular system to absorb force, apply force, and dynamically stabilize—the three things that will take your athletic performance to the next level. As a sports nutrition coach, I can also teach you how to leverage your calorie and macronutrient intake to get the most out of your training, competitive performance, and recovery.”

Kuhn said that the majority of the individuals who step into his practice are struggling with various forms of pain and/or discomfort resulting from the ways they are moving. His first step is to identify the root cause of those pain signals to be sent and then correct the issues in the kinetic chain so that there is no longer a need for those pain signals. Once an athlete is able to experience pain-free movement, improvements in fitness and performance ensue by way of increases in training volume and intensity. Thus far, he’s seen multiple success stories from those who have consistently worked with him through their pain problems.

“One of my athletes went from zero activity [from an accident that caused a broken neck] to qualifying for the world championships in the sport of triathlon in a two-year span,” Kuhn said. “He just kept showing up to our weekly sessions and did the homework I gave him consistently.”

Kuhn said that, while he certainly can help those struggling with nagging pain problems, an individual does not need to be injured to work toward improving his or her movement and performance.

“Regardless of where you are currently on the injury-performance spectrum, Athlete Factors is a place where you can improve your position,” Kuhn said. “I’ve had clients who were told by their physicians that they would never run again. They then went on to hit big, pain-free PRs in the 5K,10K, half marathon, and marathon. The biggest improvements for my clients have come from the individuals who set the biggest and hardest goals.”

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, individuals throughout the Dallas area are determining their plans for the holiday. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available to them, a handful of which are listed below.

Klyde Warren Park’s Independence Day Celebration — For those looking for an early celebration, they can enjoy music and fireworks at Klyde Warren Park on Saturday, July 2. There will also be an assortment of food trucks as well as bars selling beer, wine, and Mico Ritas from Mi Cocina on-site. Festivities continue from 7–10 p.m.

Addison Kaboom Town — Fireworks lovers can join approximately 500,000 other individuals in the metroplex for Addison’s annual holiday celebration on Sunday, July 3. Partygoers can enjoy live music, inflatable water slides, an obstacle course, a giant zipline, an air show, and a 25-minute fireworks show. The party goes from 5–11 p.m.

Sensory-Sensitive Independence Day Celebration at The Sound at Cypress Waters — For individuals with sensitivities to sensory activity, The Sound at Cypress Waters is hosting a unique celebration that will feature a patriotic laser light show rather than fireworks. The event—which takes place from 4–6 p.m. on Sunday, July 3—will also include live music, animal education with Creature Teacher, a pet cooling station, face painting, and more.

Red, White, & Groove — Hosted by Dallas’ own American alternative country band Old 97s, this party at the AT&T Discovery District in downtown Dallas will include live music, yard games, drinks at Jaxon Beer Garden, and a digital fireworks show on the large media wall while Old 97s performs in the background. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. on Monday, July 4.

Frisco Freedom Fest — For those in the Collin County area or who enjoy taking a slight trek up north, Frisco offers an annual celebration with an array of family-friendly events and activities throughout the Frisco Square area. Festivities conclude with one of the largest fireworks displays in the metroplex following the FC Dallas vs. Inter Miami CF match at Toyota Stadium. Frisco Freedom Fest takes place from 4–10 p.m. on Monday, July 4.

Fair Park Fourth — Returning after a two-year hiatus, Fair Park’s annual Fourth of July celebration offers kid-friendly activities, local market vendors, live music, food trucks, and additional concession options. The evening concludes with fireworks over the Cotton Bowl Stadium as attendees view from the stands or across Fair Park. Festivities go from 4:30–10 p.m. on Monday, July 4.

Regardless of where and how one opts to celebrate, the holiday offers the opportunity for individuals to enjoy it as they choose.

“Like most working adults, my favorite part of the Fourth of July is the extra day off of work,” White Rock Running Co-op IT specialist Josh Odegard said. “I guess fireworks are a close second. I’m not sure why chicks love fireworks so much, but I’m pretty sure guys like them because it’s basically blowing stuff up. And because chicks like to cuddle while watching them. Yeah, it’s definitely the cuddling for me.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Storm Royal is a friend to all

Thursday, June 30: Dallas Arboretum Cool Summer Concert Series
Friday, July 1: National Postal Workers Day
Saturday, July 2: WRRC Saturday run starting at Taco Joint
Monday, July 4: Independence Day