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Asthma and Sports: Taking Extra Precautions

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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There is a misconception that asthmatics cannot play sports. Asthma can make exercising more difficult, but many professional athletes manage their asthma on a daily basis in order to workout. Before starting a program, you should check with your doctor to make sure you take all necessary precautions.

First, it is vital that you take all of your medications. If you have frequent flare-ups, you are likely on a long-term controller medication. These are taken on a daily basis to help prevent bronchial tube inflammation. Whether your asthma is controlled or not, it is a good idea to always carry a fast acting inhaler, especially if you are an athlete. These are designed to reduce airway constriction. You may even consider taking your inhaler 15 minutes prior to working out to prevent breathing difficulties.

Weather also plays a role in sports and asthma. Warm, humid days are easier on your joints as well as your lungs. Although you may sweat more, the benefits may outweigh any discomforts. If it is cold and extremely dry outdoors, consider practicing indoors. Cold air causes airway inflammation and constriction, which can lead to an asthma attack. If you must exercise outdoors on a winter day, make sure that you perform extra stretches and warm-up properly.

Warm-ups are an important way to prepare your muscles, including the heart, for exercise. It also helps the blood flow to the lungs. Skipping warm-ups will increase the chances of breathing difficulties if you are asthmatic. If you experience chest tightness, wheezing, excessive coughing, or shortness of breath during your workout, stop immediately.

Also keep in mind that certain sports aggravate asthma more than other types of activities. Examples include basketball, football, and hockey. This does not necessarily mean that you cannot play these sports, but you must take extra precautions if you decide to play.

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Why Increasing Protein May Not Help Your Game

December 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Protein is an essential building block for muscles, organs, and skin. Protein is naturally available in your bloodstream as well. Your blood helps carry amino acids in protein from your diet to muscles and major organs. Eating lean protein is a way to stay healthy. However, some athletes increase the amount of protein they eat on a daily basis in order to gain more muscle and perform better at their sport.

Generally, an athlete requires somewhere between 50 and 70 g of protein per day. The more and longer you train, the more protein you might need. This is especially true if you do a lot of weight-bearing exercises. The more you use your muscles the more that protein is broken down within them. Therefore, it is important that you eat the necessary amounts of protein to prevent catabolism.

Consuming a vast amount of protein will not do any good. It will not necessarily harm you, unless you trade in carbohydrates for protein. Unlike protein, carbohydrates are necessary to help energize you throughout the day, and are imperative if you are extremely active to prevent fatigue. Extra protein does not directly build muscle; it only helps you build muscle naturally through exercise.

Some complete sources of protein include lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and eggs. Be careful not to eat too many eggs, as they are high in cholesterol. Limit to one a day. If you have heart problems, you may want to avoid eggs or eat them occasionally. Also avoid fatty sources of protein such as high-fat beef and pork. Vegetables and grains also have some protein, but you need to eat several servings.

There are also protein supplements available that are advertised to help athletes build muscle and function better during workouts. Protein bars and shakes are not beneficial unless you do not gain enough protein from your regular diet.

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Equipment Requirements: Which Team Sport is the Most Expensive to Play?

December 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Football shoulder pads.

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Major team sports, including hockey, basketball, soccer, football, and baseball all require different equipment from clothing to gear. If you are new to a sport, the basics can seem astronomical in cost. It is not wise to base your choice of sport on cost.  But like it is good to hire a tax services company to be informed about how much you will have to pay for taxes, it is always good to know the facts on costs in case you wish to play multiple sports.

Football is the most expensive of team sports to play. For your safety, you are required to wear protective gear such as helmets and shoulder pads. You also need a uniform on top of that as well as gloves and cleats. Do not be surprised if even the most basic non-fancy football equipment runs $400 or more.

Hockey is similar in cost to football, as the protective gear is similar. Hockey skates are another expense. Although the skates themselves do not have to be replaced as often as shoes do, you will have to frequently have the blades sharpened to avoid accidents on the ice. Hockey sticks are usually provided by the team.

Baseball is not as expensive as the aforementioned team sports, because the only protective gear you really wear are helmets. Plus, you are not likely required to wear one throughout the entire game. Little leaguers may rotate helmets between batters to save costs. However, you will likely need to invest into your own fitted mitt and bat if you have a certain preference.

Basketball and soccer are generally the least expensive of team sports. Aside form uniforms, you need shoes for basketball and cleats for soccer. The type of footwear you can choose from ranges in price. For example, there are basketball shoes available for hundreds of dollars, but they are not necessarily as effective as an $80 pair.

Also keep in mind that the more you advance in a particular sport, the more you travel with your team. Depending on what level you are at, you may have to front the costs yourself.

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Skechers Shape Ups: Can Walking Shoes Improve Your Strength?

December 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Skechers

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“Shape-Ups” are a type of walking shoes made by Sketchers. Although there are other similar products available on the market, Shape-Ups are the most predominant type of walking shoe on the market as of 2010, due to the widely known brand Sketchers. Sketchers, like a popular piece of designer jewelry worn by Hollywood starlets,  is also a trendy brand, with its target market focused on teens and young adults.

The benefit of Shape-Ups lies in the sole. The rest of the shoe looks like a normal shoe, but the sole is thick and contoured to fit multiple walking areas, from a sidewalk to a dirt road. The sole is a type of wedge that contains shock absorbers that are designed for long-term walking without joint straining.

At first the shoe can make walkers feel off balance, due to the thickness of the wedge. Your walks will be more challenging than a regular shoe, but maybe not quite as dangerous as walking in six-inch heels. The more you walk in them you will increase your overall balance. This also helps you build core muscles to a certain degree. The shoes are also designed to tone your calves, glutes, and quadriceps.

Walkers should get used to these shoes before wearing them over long periods of time. Failure to do so can cause knee pain and muscle strains. Also make sure that you stretch before and after use. Avoid heavy use if you are new to the shoe.

Although this walking shoe may have its benefits, it is not designed for trained athletes, but more for individuals who are newer to exercise and want to get a kick-start. If you do decide to try out the shoes, do not wear them for long distances to start. You may need to break them in, just like any other shoes. Discontinue wearing if you feel strain in the knees or experience extreme muscle aches.

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