Posts in Category: Health and Injuries
The Rowing Machine - The Best Cardio Machine That Nobody Uses
Probably one of the best items of cardio equipment that you could locate in a health club is the same one that hardly anybody is using, the rowing machine. The desired movement and usage of the ergometer copies that of rowing in the water.
Like lots of cardio devices, the rower works the lower body, specifically the glutes, quadriceps, as well as hamstrings. However, unlike various other cardio equipment, the rower also provides an intense core and also top body work out. The outcome of this motion is a symphony of muscle activation that includes almost every muscle in the back and also arms in addition to the lower body musculature listed above.
With this boosted muscular tissue activation, the rowing machine gives improved caloric expenditure for a duration of time post-workout, extremely similar to the adaptations we see complying with a resistance training workout. When we make use of the rowing machine for our cardio work, we burn calories at a higher rate during the workout as well as for a longer period after the workout is completed. This is due to in part to the increased muscle activation but also due to the rowing machine having an outside resistance from of the fly wheel, as well as a handle that our bodies have to adapt to.
So the question is, if the rower is such a terrific piece of equipment why aren’t lots of folks using it? For beginners it is rather tough both in regards to work, as well as proper execution. With all this the improved muscular tissue activation that was stated previously, one could imagine that the muscles could tire quickly. This is especially true with the usual way in which individuals make use of the rower, with the resistance raised as high as it can go. Likewise, in order to use the device and also have it be as effective as possible, one ought to use proper type. Problem is, with the rower, there are a lots of motions. Finally, with all this nice complete body movement, people can’t easily do several of the various other brainless jobs that they can with various other cardio machines. The rowing machine needs you to work hard and concentrate so it becomes difficult to watch TV, read a magazine, study, etc.
Even with some of these little disadvantages, the rowing machine still gives all the upsides stated above and as a result could be one of the finest cardio options for people in terms of fat loss, weight loss and also muscle development. The design and setup lends itself wholly to seamless HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts and also if time is an element (which for most of us it is) the rowing machine could be your ideal choice for a reliable cardiovascular exercise. At the very least it could be used as a great way to pimp up your present program. Next time you go to the fitness center, break out of the mold, move out of your comfort zone a try a rowing machine, I assure you you won’t be let down.
How To Overcome Brain Injuries From Football
1 photo credit: ffela via photopin
The sound is sickening. I would daresay that almost everyone alive has heard it at one point or another in their lives.
The hollow thump, like hitting a ripe cantaloupe or other fruit.
It is the awful sound when your head hits the ground. In professional sports the impact risk is very real and very dangerous. Professional football (AKA Soccer) is not usually seen as a dangerous sport, but with the increase in popularity over the last decade, the number of injuries has risen as well.
In the United States sports injuries are tracked by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). According to recent studies it is estimated there were over 150,000 reported injuries due to football. A small, but growing, percentage of these injuries were brain related injuries. This makes sense as one of the most effective means of moving the ball is by using your head. The player can literally head butt the ball. This has been suspect in many football related brain injuries.
In a recent emergency department study it was found that for children the sports most commonly associated with traumatic brain injuries were:
- Football (American) @ 29.1%
- Football (soccer) @ 16.5%
- Basketball @ 15.4%
For people under the age of 25, sports were the 2nd leading cause of traumatic brain injury behind only motor vehicle crashes.
The Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Regardless of the sport that caused the injury, an impact to the head which causes a concussion or worse, TBI, can have far reaching and dramatic effects on your life.
One sports Phycologist, John Murray, used his doctoral dissertation to illustrate how a serious brain injury affects an athlete’s life. His patients ranged from high school students to professionals. One of the most pervasive effects were the athlete might experience depression, lack of self-worth, or severe dizziness.
Strategies for Healing
If you or someone you know has suffered a brain related sports injury, professional medical attention is always the first recommendation. Then it is important to deal with the psychological effects.
If the injury will prevent you from participating in the sport in the future, this reality can be particularly demoralizing. Picking up a different sport, one that poses little or less risk of repeated brain injury is one coping strategy. Golf, for instance, is incredibly competitive and demanding yet poses little risk of brain injury.
Psychologists also agree that finding a support group including athletes that have suffered similar injuries is a critical part of the healing process.
Often times, the injured athletes will attempt to hide their injuries to try to avoid the consequences of the injuries. This can be one of the worst things and athlete can do. It will not only prolong the healing process, but may possibly put the athlete right back into the game to be injured again.
Conclusion
More often than not, the more difficult decisions are also the correct decisions. A football related injury is not one to hide from or ignore as the possibilities for prolonged detrimental effects are great. If you have suffered a head related injury from any sport, it is critical that you honestly address the symptoms with your doctor and find the appropriate help.
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