Sports Then and Now

As a coach, it should be your top priority to keep your athletes safe. In fact, it may be a higher priority than trying to win the game. The good news is that there are many steps that you can take to keep your players safe while also putting them in the best position to succeed.

Take a Conservative Approach to the Game

It may be possible to keep injuries to a minimum by taking a conservative approach to the game. For instance, you may want to prevent younger pitchers from throwing pitches involving the use of their elbow. Football coaches may discourage quarterbacks from throwing passes to wide receivers in the middle of the field.

Make Players Wear Optional Safety Equipment

Athletes will do anything for a competitive edge even if it may put their physical health at risk. This means that they may wear smaller pads or even forego pads at all if it slows them down or otherwise hinders their ability to play the game properly. As a coach, you should only play those who wear all required and even optional equipment as well to make sure no one gets hurt. Read the rest of this entry →

A swimming pool is one of the biggest dreams a homeowner can have. The fact is that most people imagine friends and family splashing in their backyard at some point in their lives. If you’ve actually got the space and cash, you might be thinking of really adding one.

There’s more to owning a swimming pool than just splashing in the sun though. In fact, there’s a little bit of hard work that your somebody else is going to have to do. That shouldn’t stop you from getting the pool of your dreams though!

Keep reading to learn what you need to know before you install a swimming pool. You’ll be happy that you have some basic knowledge once that pool is installed and you’re swimming like a dolphin.

Pick the Right Style

There are a lot of styles of pools out there despite what you see in most people’s backyards. The fact is that you can even create a custom swimming pool in any shape or design as long as it works with your backyard.

When choosing a swimming pool design, consider how you want the pool to be used and who is going to be using it. If you’re really putting it in for family and friends, you want a pool that’s large and has multiple depths.

However, if you’re mainly putting in a pool for adult family members or you want to swim for exercise, a single depth lap pool may be the ideal option. Lap pools are also excellent for smaller backyards and more modern homes since their typically geometric shape often looks best with contemporary homes. Read the rest of this entry →

If your physical conditioning is on a level similar to most Americans, chances are that you would not be able to handle the wear and tear that professional sports players endure on a constant basis.

While professional athletes do a lot on their own to perform at the highest levels, they are also helped by many sports medicine and exercise science professionals who are able to keep them on the field, court, ice, track, or swimming pool despite the punishment their bodies are frequently exposed to.

High-profile athletes such as Serena Williams, Ronaldo and Tom Brady tend to have an army of medical professionals ready to render treatment so that these sports stars can continue to perform and entertain us. Below are three professionals whose work is crucial in this regard.

Athletic Trainers

Many famous pro athletes have turned athletic trainers due to their intimate knowledge of the sports they played. They usually return to school to learn more about sports medicine; however, some of the best trainers have focused solely in their field without having participated in a professional capacity.

In 2011, Sue Falsone made history as the first woman named to the position of head trainer for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ariko Iso previously made headlines as the first female trainer in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. These two teams went on to enjoy winning seasons under the supervision and care of these trainers. Read the rest of this entry →

For Sport athletes, accidents come unexpectedly and can result in a sprained ankle, broken bone, or a muscle tear. However, there is no secret formula for healing from sports injuries. The key to a fast recovery lies in simple measures that are often overlooked. The following web page will share some tips of gaining fast recovery from an athlete accident.

RICE (Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation)

Experts recommend the RICE procedure to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and to fast track healing after a minor athletic injury. The first step is to limit regular activities. The next steps involve putting ice on the injured part and exerting pressure to prevent swelling. Make sure you take the ice off every 20 minutes to prevent a cold injury. You can use an elastic wrap or air cast to put pressure on your injury. Lastly, you should elevate the injured area at a level that is above the heart for minimal swelling. The RICE approach is usually used before a person seeks advance medical treatment. If a RICE strategy does not work, it means your injuries are severe and you should seek the counsel of professionals such as those at McLaughlin & Lauricella, P.C. in addition to getting medical attention.

Change Your Diet

Macro nutrients will help you heal from an injury faster. Proper nutrition increases the supply of nutrients transported by blood to the injured area. Avoid consuming foods that increase inflammation. These include foods such as cayenne, eggplant, potatoes, hot peppers, tomatoes, and processed flour. Instead, eat foods that accelerate healing such as juice from organic vegetables, foods rich in omega 3 acids, ginger, garlic, beets, and radishes. Additionally, focus on foods that are high in zinc, calcium, glucosamine sulfate, manganese, and multivitamins. Read the rest of this entry →

Sport injuries are more common than we’d like them to be. While 95% of injuries are typically small contusions and cuts, serious injuries happen daily. If you are injured, it’s important to manage it properly. Here are some tips for handling life after a serious sports injury.

Allow Proper Time for Healing

One of the biggest mistakes that people make is not giving the injury enough time to heal. Listen carefully to your doctor or physical therapists’ advice as to how long you should stay off your injury. Be careful to not rush your return to sports (if you can return). You may be anxious to get back to your sport of choice, but you’re not helping your team or yourself if you get hurt again or can’t play to your full potential.

In order to allow the proper time for healing, the correct injury must be identified. Experts with degrees in radiology specialize in CT, MRI, and x-ray procedures which target the injury allow doctors to determine exactly what happened during your injury and how severe the trauma is.

Do Your Exercises

Most injuries will require physical therapy to help you get back to normal. The focus will be first on regaining full motion of the injured appendage. Next, you will build up strength. Finally, you will regain endurance. Find a physical therapist that works around your needs and specializes in the treatment of your type of injury. Avoid neglecting your rehab process. Failure to do so will not improve your condition and can lead to more injury in the future. Read the rest of this entry →

Whether traveling through city or countryside, on a daily commute or across the country, every bike trip can use a little extra gear to make the trip that much easier. Everything from action cameras to active wear will keep your bike trip convenient and exciting.

Panniers

If you cycle to the store or around town, panniers are invaluable. These packs attach directly to the bicycle, making it easy to store items and ride without directly feeling an extra burden. Whether you’d like to pick up milk and groceries or transport light gear on a longer trip, panniers make transportation a piece of cake.

Active wear

Comfortable, athletic clothing can make the difference between an easy bike ride and an uncomfortable slog through the city. Moisture-wicking clothing, form-fitting shirts, and comfortable athletic shoes are just a few of the many necessities for the well-traveled cyclist. Companies like DHDWear provide stylish graphic tees provide a great example of bike-related clothing that fits in and looks great in non-athletic settings.

Lights

Nighttime safety measures are vitally important, but that doesn’t mean they’re a hassle. With reflective safety clothes and discreet-yet-noticeable flashing LEDs, you can be sure to stay safe when cycling in the dark. Headlights, taillights, and safety vests will increase visibility without much effort, giving you the power to explore the world when drivers have a harder time noticing cyclists. Read the rest of this entry →