PADDLE FOR GOLD!

Last week I had the opportunity to be part of USA Canoe/Kayak's first Talent Identification program held in Maryland. The goal of the program is to promote interest in the sports of canoe and kayak. The heyday of the program was 1988 - 1992 when the likes of Joe Jacobi, Norm Bellingham, Jon Lugbill, Scott Stausbaugh, and Greg Barton won gold medals. There have been tough times since then.

The Talent Identification program is open to anyone with an interest in the sports canoe and kayak. Check out PaddleforGold.com and the video below. It's time for the US to start paddling again!

Barefoot Running

The barefoot running craze is upon us. Dr. Dan Lieberman, a Harvard professor and barefoot runner, has a wonderful website detailing the current data on running barefoot. He says,

Our research asked how and why humans can and did run comfortably without modern running shoes. We tested and confirmed what many people knew already: that most experienced, habitual barefoot runners tend to avoid landing on the heel and instead land with a forefoot or midfoot strike. The bulk of our published research explores the collisional mechanics of different kinds of foot strikes. We show that most forefoot and some midfoot strikes (shod or barefoot) do not generate the sudden, large impact transients that occur when you heel strike (shod or barefoot). Consequently, runners who forefoot or midfoot strike do not need shoes with elevated cushioned heels to cope with these sudden, high transient forces that occur when you land on the ground. Therefore, barefoot runners can run easily on the hardest surfaces in the world without discomfort from landing. If impact transient forces contribute to some forms of injury, then this style of running (shod or barefoot) might have some benefits, but that hypothesis remains to be tested.

Check out this video of a young Kenyan runner who has never worn shoes:


See Dr. Lieberman's website at: http://www.barefootrunning.fas.harvard.edu/.

Stroke Heroes Act Fast

Floyd Landis - SHAME ON YOU!

Floyd Landis, Tour de France rider, has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs throughout his career. What a surprise!

His attitude, exemplified by the following quote, says it all:

I don't feel guilty at all about having doped. I did what I did because that's what we [cyclists] did and it was a choice I had to make after 10 years or 12 years of hard work to get there, and that was a decision I had to make to make the next step. My choices were, do it and see if I can win, or don't do it and I tell people I just don't want to do that, and I decided to do it.

You really can perform to the best of your ability drug free. If you want to learn all the secrets of training and injury prevention, I strongly suggest you take a look at PREVENT SPORTS INJURY.com.  Yes, this is a bit self serving as I am the first interview (see the top of this blog page), but I have listened to the interviews of the doctors and coaches you will receive by joining and they are nothing short of phenomenal. Don't wait, join today.

Human Growth Hormone Found to Aid Athletic Performance

As athletes have known for years, human growth hormone does improve performance. Scientific studies have now caught up and show this to be the case. Read the article here.

GUIDE TO HEAT AND DEHYDRATION INJURY PREVENTION

Too many high school, college, and professional athletes have died of heat exhaustion and dehydration. Do not allow this to happen to your child. Coaches must follow these guidelines and be properly trained in CPR/AED use.

• Weigh the athletes before and after practice and replace each pound lost with 16 - 24 oz of water. This water must be sipped throughout the remainder of the day after practice to get the best absorption. Dehydration can occur over several days to weeks of practice and incomplete rehydration (observe urine color - if dark yellow, hydrate). This is why athletes can die in weather in the 70's with little humidity.

• An electrolyte replacement drink may be needed in practices greater than one hour if the athlete is a salty sweater (white rim on cap or armpit of shirt – if in doubt, lick your sweaty skin – if it tastes salty use an electrolyte replacement).

• Acclimate to the heat over 7 - 14 days:

Days 1 – 5: One practice per day, three hour maximum time limit.

Days 1 – 2: No protective gear except a helmet allowed.

Days 3 – 5: Helmets and shoulder pads only.

Day 6: Full gear and full contact allowed.

Days 6 – 14: Two-a-day practices must be followed the next day by a single practice day or a rest day. On two-a-day practice days each practice session must not exceed three hours (maximum five hours total daily practice time) and the two practice sessions must be separated by at least three hours in a cool environment.

• Coaches must pay attention to the

CONGRATULATIONS TO JEFF SWEET!

Our patient Jeff Sweet placed 3rd in the Iron City Strongest Man Competition on May 1, 2010. He pulled a 37,500 lb fire engine, cleaned and press a 2.5" axle, lifted a 700 lb Conan's wheel, carried 240 lb farmer's handles, flipped a 900 lb tire, and loaded a 385 lb. stone. WATCH THIS!