Sports Then and Now

The world’s elite athletes are always looking to give themselves an advantage over their opponents, regardless of the sport and the team/individual they are competing against. One crucial way of achieving that is to train hard, and compete even harder. Unfortunately for some athletes, however, all they do succumb to injury or get too tired to train. This means less training and less chance of competing at the highest levels, due to the stiff competition they are up against. What do some of the world’s leading athletes do to counteract this issue and how do they stay fit and healthy through their training and competitions?

Massage Therapy

Some athletes take to the table to ensure they get some quality time for muscle and mental relaxation. Massages encourage the muscles to breath and blood to recirculate. Training/competing hard means muscle tissues become extremely stiff and aren’t able to circulate blood as they would normally. However, a simple massage could be all it takes to get an athlete back in training sooner rather than later, which always gives them a competitive edge.

Nutritional Protein Shakes

There are many nutritional protein powders available on the market to athletes who are looking for quick muscle repair and the chance to get back to the gym quickly. There are many powders that can be mixed with fruit and veg to give athletes the nutritional value they seek, and the chance to repair their muscles at a quicker rate. Shakes come with different flavors and benefits to suit a variety of athletes, so it’s better to do your research before you go out and buy a big pot, as it’s generally quite expensive. Read the rest of this entry →

Each sport has its own personal risk of injury, even the sports where you may think a problem is highly unlikely.

Darts, for example, is not exactly what you may call ‘high intensity’ but players often fear the dreaded Dartitis which is when the players lose the ability to allow the dart to leave the fingers effectively. This is also known in other sports, especially golf, as the ‘Yips’. It is essentially the loss of fine motor skills in athletes and can occur completely at random.

Dartitis is a psychological disorder and very real, but there are sports injuries and sayings that need dispelling as pure fantasy as we look at cracking some of the myths surrounding sports injuries.

No Pain No Gain

Let’s start with a famous saying that is repeated in every single gym around the world. However, strictly speaking, no pain no gain is the opposite of the words uttered.

Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. Continuing through sores or cramp is not an immediate problem but if there is acute pain (something sharp and severe) or a clear indication that something is not right (a sprain for example) then it is time to stop immediately and seek medical advice.

Injuries heal fastest when rested

Football injuries cost clubs millions of pounds a year by having to pay injured players and in some cases, when key players are absent, it has a direct impact on a team’s ability on and off the pitch. Read the rest of this entry →

For many fitness professionals, offering the best possible experience to your clients is a top high priority. This often means guaranteeing clear and quick results, providing an enjoyable and unique workout regimen, and offering great customer service. So how can you gain that competitive edge?

These days, technology is able to create greater efficiencies and effective processes, including in the health and fitness sector. In fact, in a 2017 study, the Fitness Industry Technology Council argued it’s vital for fitness professionals to adopt and embrace technology in their offerings and services.

Looking to better harness technology at your gym? Here’s a look at some devices you can offer your clients to achieve a better overall health and fitness experience.

1. Body Composition Analyzers

As you may be intimately aware, tracking your clients’ weight on a traditional scale doesn’t always provide an accurate reading to promote better health. That’s because it can be difficult to determine whether your clients’ weight and mass is made up primarily of muscle or fat.

But body composition analyzers like the InBody 570 can provide you and your clients with a variety of measurements, including body mass and fat readings as well as hydration and muscle mass levels, through a few simple steps.

Having this technology literally at your fingertips not only provides better transparency to your clients, but also provides more credibility to your work as a fitness professional, as you can make adjustments based on client readings and show a clear return on their investment. Read the rest of this entry →

Athletes that play any sports know that their natural talent alone will not get the job done on the field. Half of the battle comes from the process of preparation before a game begins. Like Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” In the following piece, you will learn the best tips necessary for having an advantage in preparation over the competition.

Visualization

In life as in sports, it is important for one to see the bottom line in their mind’s eye before the action manifests itself during in-game action. One must always begin with the end in mind. It is essential that an athlete engage in a great deal of mental imagery. These mental images must have specificity and be of great detail. For example, a basketball player can sit in the stands overlooking the basketball court before everyone else and go every game situation in his head before the game begins. This is especially helpful when it comes to a player going over critical late-game situations.

They Master Motivation

During a long season, athletes must do whatever it takes to keep themselves motivated throughout the season. A motivated player will have the energy to push through the internal and external pain. They are able to navigate through the difficult day-to-day circumstances and keep themselves in an enhanced state of preparation and readiness. A motivated player exudes self-confidence. Players can develop their self-confidence by engaging in positive self-talk. If effectively done, positive self-talk can regulate an athlete’s mindset to the point that they are ready to conquer the world by the time the game starts. Read the rest of this entry →

Living your dreams after a serious injury sometimes seems impossible. However, with the right professional help, support system, and attitude, you can fulfill your goals, even after an accident changes everything. All you have to do is remember that when it comes to things like this you are never alone. Here are 4 other tips to help you keep living out your dreams.

Seek Medical Help

One of the main steps in moving on with life after an injury is to seek medical help immediately after the incident occurs. This is imperative to assess the physical damages you have sustained, as well as to preserve evidence for any future criminal charges or lawsuits. Once a treatment plan is in place, it is important to follow through with all of your appointments, even during times you do not feel like it. If you find yourself not caring about getting better or feeling helpless about the situation, it may be time to seek additional professional help.

Get Psychological Help

Though your physical injuries may be obvious, many victims do not realize the impact a traumatic event can have on your mental status. The NCAA states that a “psychological response to injury can trigger or unmask serious mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, disordered eating, and substance use or abuse.” Talk to a psychologist about your feelings, and discuss any changes you or others have noticed in your personality. Read the rest of this entry →

Top of the Charts

There are many different types and intensity levels of training and sports fitness.

1. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Shooting up to number one in this years fitness popularity chart is (HIIT). Olympian Sebastian Coe used this technique effectively during training in the 1970’s and it suits the fast running pace of life today. Got 30 to 40 seconds to spare? Have a hard sprint then slow down with 15-20 seconds of strolling.

2. Functional Training
Coming in at number two is Functional Training.
Developed from exercises used to rehabilitate patients after injury or Stroke, this method is very good at improving muscles and movement that we use in our everyday lives.

3. Older Adult Training
Climbing slowly into number three position is the Older Adult Training.
Among the ‘aging population’ there is increasing demand for low impact cardio conditioning workout. All levels of ability can enjoy safe and effective exercises to improve physique and mental well-being.

4. Personal Trainer
Working out with your own certified professional expert is very trendy. Having a bespoke fitness plan with individualized coaching is recognized as an effective way to achieve fitness training objectives.

Read the rest of this entry →