The Importance of Preventing Injuries Among Teens and Children

Encouraging children to participate in sports may be beneficial for them. They may develop cooperation and sportsmanship that they may use later in life and also improve their health. But any sport that may be participated by children also carries potential injuries. They are particularly prone to different injuries because of poor coordination, slow reactions, among others. Because of these reasons, injury prevention is an important aspect in the sports activities of children.

However, despite the efforts of parents and guardians, the occurrence of injuries while playing sports is inevitable. There are three common types of injuries that can be experienced by children which include acute injuries, overuse injuries, and re-injuries.

Acute Injuries

Acute pain may be mild and temporary, or severe and lengthy and may last for weeks or months. This kind of pain if left untreated may lead to chronic pain or painful sensations that persist even if a certain injury is healed. The time limit used to define chronic pain typically ranges from three to six months and may affect one’s way of living. Examples of acute injuries include minor bruises, sprains, and strains. Kids and teen athletes are prone to injuries like broken bones and torn ligaments.

Using the right equipments like ankle, knee, and wrist supporters are essential in preventing the development of acute injuries.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries may develop because of repetitive actions that put excess stress and tension on the bones and muscles. It is one of the common causes of muscle pain which can also lead to the development of micro-tears on the tissue and cause a greater tear over a period of time. In addition to these effects, overused muscles may lose up to 40 to 50 percent of its normal strength. This condition may be painful and have a negative impact on one's physical performance and hamper mobility. Overuse injuries can be prevented by not exercising or training to the point of fatigue or over exhaustion.

Re-injuries

Re-injury or repeat sports injury is another common sports injury which occurs when an athlete returns to the sport before a previous injury has sufficiently healed. Adults and children may heighten the risk of re-injury when they engage in sports or training activities before full recovery. Engaging in these activities too soon may place additional stress to the injury that have not fully healed. This condition can be avoided by allowing certain injuries to fully heal before playing sports activities or training.

Cases of acute, overuse, and repeat sports injuries in children should be prevented to impede the development of serious condition when these children grow up. Several studies suggest that these injuries acquired at a very young age may heighten the development of serious conditions like osteoarthritis when the child grows up. These injuries may result in continued deterioration to the bone surface and cartilage in the joints.

Knowing and understanding the do’s and don’ts of sports and other physical activities may greatly reduce the occurrence of injuries. For this reason, any sport or physical activity that children participates should be supervised by qualified adults.

Drazen Petrovic: Basketball Hero

The basketball craze has been felt not only in the United States but also in other countries around the world. The popularity of basketball, in no small measure, is due to the National Basketball Association which is considered to be the premier basketball league. It is generally accepted that American and foreign import players in the NBA have shaped the past, present, and future of basketball as an international sport. The grace, athleticism, and extraordinary skills of NBA players have become standards that millions of die-hard basketball players and fans try to passionately emulate.

Like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, players like Yao Ming, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Steve Nash have also become household names. Specifically, Olajuwon, Duncan, Nowitzki, and Nash are among the first non-American players who have won a Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. Before these noted players took the limelight, Drazen Petrovic stole the show from many American basketball players. Many sports analysts and experts credit Petrovic for making the way for other international players to prosper in the NBA.

Drazen Petrovic was a Croatian basketball player who was considered by many as the pioneer in the migration of European and other international players in the NBA. He was a prolific scorer and shooter and arguably one of the most celebrated ball players to come from Europe. Petrovic was one a kind. His European competitions personal bests include single games of 112 and 62 points. Petrovic was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers and went on to end his career with New Jersey Nets. In the NBA, he is considered to be one of the best shooters ever to play the game. In the 1992-93 season, he averaged 22.3 points (11^th best that season), 45 percent three-point field goal percentage, and 52 percent two-point field goal percentage (best among guards at that time). These statistics placed him in the All-NBA third team.

In 1993, the Nets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. After the loss, Petrovic expressed his plans of accepting a two-year offer to play professional basketball in Greece. He left for Europe to rejoin the Croatian national team in a European Cup competition. After scoring 30 points in a qualifying tournament in Poland, it was reported that Petrovic went to Germany. On June 7, 1993, he was off to Munich when the car he rode slammed into a tractor-trailer, killing him and leaving the driver and another companion with grave injuries. News reports said he was with Hilal Haene, a female Turkish basketball player and Klara Szalantzy, a German model and Petrovic’s girlfriend. Petrovic died at the young age of 28.

The loss particularly stunned European basketball fans. "It's hard for you to imagine here in America, because you have so many great players.”But we are a country of four million. Without him, basketball takes three steps back." his brother Aleksandar Pertovic told the New York Daily News. Late in 1993 the Nets retired Petrovic's uniform No. 3 in tribute. His death was loss not only to his family and fellow Europeans, but to the sport of basketball as well.

Dangers of Drinking Too Much Water

Recent studies show that many people are drinking too much water, including sports drinks, when they are engaged in physical exercise. This practice could put a number of individuals who engage in strenuous exercise or competition at risk of hyponatremia. Also known as water intoxication, many health experts say that this condition hampers one’s ability to metabolize water. The long list of individuals who are affected by this condition includes runners, tri-athletes, cyclists, martial artists, to name a few.

In the past, athletes and fitness buffs were advised to drink all they can before, during, and after exercise or training. However, health and fitness experts still encourage the practice of smart drinking of both water and sports drinks. But clearly, drinking too much liquid is as dangerous as having too few liquids in one's system. Excess fluid in the body waters down or dilutes the blood, leading to risky low salt levels in body. In addition, the brain cells of individuals with hyponatremia may absorb too much water which leads to brain swelling. Water may push against the skull and therefore lead to seizures. Severe cases of this condition may lead to breathing difficulties and eventually death.

"Humans are actually designed quite well for dehydration," said Dr. Timothy David Noakes, chairman of exercise and sports science at the University of Cape Town and the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. "There is very little evidence it has any effect until one becomes very dehydrated -- by which time your mouth is so dry, and you have such extreme thirst, that this would never happen. You are going to find water or a sports drink. There is no way you will be seriously dehydrated when you start a race," he adds.

So how do you know how much to drink? Experts say that the solution is not to drink too much. Consuming water alone during strenuous activities may not be the best option because the body loses essential amounts of carbohydrates and electrolytes. Health experts say that the guidelines for water consumption during training includes 20 ounces of fluid before exercise, and over the course of every hour of exercise drink between 28 to 40 ounces of fluid.

In general, athletes and health buffs should take in the adequate amount of sodium days and even hours prior to an endurance event. Athletes often take salt tablets before a race. On hot sunny days, drinking one half cup of plain generic pedialyte may help. There is argument that sports drinks do work and one that says they don't work. They do seem to work but they are not high in sodium concentration and actually have a ton of sugar. So it's best to not rely on them for sodium replacement but t o supplement with salty foods.

Dehydration can be dangerous. Nonetheless, drinking too much water poses a serious threat as well. So looking out for the earliest signs and symptoms of hyponatremia is very important for any athlete or any individuals who engage in strenuous activities.

The 2008 NBA Finals: Rekindling the Rivalry

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers are set to meet again in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals. The last time that the two team faced-off for the finals was in 1987, when the Lakers won the title. Boston led by Paul Pierce will slug it out with Lakers after a strong season and a dismal post season. On the other hand, reigning MVP, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers have reached the playoffs because of a vastly improved line-up following the acquisition of Pau Gasol. With a total 10 final encounters with the Celtics winning the first eight and the Lakers the final two, the title and bragging rights are at stake in this year’s NBA Finals. Considering that Laker coach Phil Jackson may also surpass Celtic legendary coach Red Auerbach’s record of nine titles with a series win over the Celtics.

The 2008 NBA finals will feature an old rivalry with new players. The Pierce—Bryant face off will be the highlight an event that was vacated by several NBA greats. The past Celtics—Lakers rivalry featured player rivalries which included the likes of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Bill Russel, and Wilt Chamberlain. For many, this is the NBA tradition that was missed for such a long time. The passing of memories from one generation to another.

This rivalry may not have been possible if it were not for the off-season moves by the Boston Celtics and the mid-season trade that was executed by the Lakers management. Boston—coming from a 24-win season became a heavy favorite to win the title at the start of the season by acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen from different transactions. The Lakers, on the other hand, were playoff favorites but became championship contenders by acquiring the services of Gasol, a great passer despite his 7-foot frame. Take note that Phil Jackson’s “Triangle Offense” needed a center that could pass the ball.

The 2008 will feature teams with high-caliber players with top-notch management. It is the first time since 2004 that the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference will face the top-seeded team from the Western Conference. The Celtics—Lakers rivalry is back this year. As the tradition continues, an old team with new faces will take the limelight. This year’s finals will not feature dominant big men like Shaquille O’Neal or Tim Duncan. In addition, it will be Bryant’s first finals appearance without O’Neal. For Boston, it will be Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen’s first finals appearance. During the 2007-2008 season, the Celtics beat the Lakers during both their meetings. However, the losses happened before the Lakers acquired Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies.

The NBA finals are set to start in a few days and a lot of questions are up in the air. Will show time be back in L.A. or will the Celtic pride be rekindled? Will Phil Jackson surpass Boston Celtics legendary coach Red Auerbach’s nine titles? These and others will be answered after the 2008 NBA finals.

Gina Carano: Gorgeous Yet Deadly Princess of Martial Arts

The female gender is said to be the weaker sex. In the past, society was dominated by men --- especially in the world of sports. In sports competitions, the men are often in the limelight, always taking the center stage while women are reduced to mere spectators.

But things are slowly changing. Women are now slowly getting into the picture. From swimming to basketball and even in contact sports like boxing and mixed martial arts, the women are slowly getting into the groove. Women in mixed martial have become accepted and a lot of them are slowly conquering the hearts of the masses. A woman who became a sensation in the MMA world is Gina Carano. She is now almost a household name when it comes to women in MMA.

Gina is a 26 year-old female fighter who is currently undefeated in her MMA career with six wins and also holds a 12-1-1 record in Muay Thai. On February 10, 2007, Gina made sports history when she appeared together with Julie Kedzie in an MMA promotion that was televised on a premium television network. Gina has always been an athletic person who got involved into gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, and softball during her high school years. She has fought and won twice in Muay Thai competitions in Thailand and claims that she enjoyed Muay Thai much more than any sport she has played. Carano adds that competing in martial arts and MMA tournaments taught her a lot about self-respect, self-confidence, and self-control. Because of her deadly moves and training methods, she was given the moniker ‘Conviction.’ Gina has more experience as a stand-up fighter and she uses it to her advantage. She also ground skills, but it needs to be more polished for her to become really dominant fighter.

Gina is both gorgeous and deadly. Her skills and looks have made her a star in her own right. She has been featured in Maxim Magazine and was voted by Big Biz Magazine as the hottest woman in America in its 2008 Spring Issue. In addition to these feats, she is reportedly set to appear in Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 as Natasha. However she adds that she was 20 years old when she realized that people started to call her attractive. She exclaims that those compliments does not matter to her and will always see herself as the little 12 year-old with braces or the 16 year-old with bruises all over her legs which she got from playing different kinds of sport.

Gina is a living proof of how strong girl power is today and how the gap of equality between men and women had become a very thin line. Stereotyping women as weak little damsels in distress is now almost a thing of the past. Women nowadays have become a force to reckon with in the field of sports. Gina reminds us that in some areas, girls or females can also dominate in a sport that is traditionally ruled by men.

Playoffs 2008: Controversial Foul at the end of Game 4 between the Spurs and Lakers

NEW YORK - The NBA acknowledged Wednesday that a foul should have been called on the final possession of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals, which would have given the San Antonio Spurs a chance to even the series.

Trailing 93-91 on Tuesday night, the Spurs inbounded the ball with 2.1 seconds left to Brent Barry, who was bumped by Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher on the floor. No foul was called, and Barry missed badly on a 3-pointer before time expired.

Spurs players and coach Gregg Popovich said a foul should not have been called, but the NBA disagreed with them after reviewing the play.

"With the benefit of instant replay, it appears a foul should have been called," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said.

Had that happened, Barry would have gone to the line for two free throws and a chance to tie the game. Instead, the defending champion Spurs trail the series 3-1 and face elimination Thursday in Los Angeles.

Resources: Yahoo! News

MMA and the PRIDE Legacy

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) have been on a boom lately. Being an MMA junkie myself I can’t help but ponder on the evolution of the sport. Whoever thought that this sport would be as “hot” as it is today? Because of the success of the sport, many organizations are being developed world wide to cater to MMA enthusiasts. From Russia to the United States, MMA leagues have been on a roll. Among the premiere MMA leagues or organizations include the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), M-1 Global, Elite XC, and Affliction MMA. The other MMA organization stripped from the list was PRIDE Fighting Championships (PRIDE or PRIDE FC).

Pride FC was considered as a world-class MMA organization that featured world class fighters from top martial arts schools like Chute Boxe Academy, Team Quest, and Takada Dojo. The development of PRIDE FC was considered a significant crossroad in the development of MMA. It was an MMA organization based in Japan. Its inaugural event was held at the October 1997 at the Tokyo Dome. PRIDE accomplishments include having a sold-out crowd of 70,000 people at a production called Shockwave/Dynamite as well filling up a seating capacity of 67,450 at Pride Final Conflict in 2003.

In addition to these accomplishments, PRIDE showcased world class fights between the Gracies and Kazushi Sakuraba. The Gracies are known for their influence on martial arts because of the proliferation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Gracie Jiu Jitsu. The Gracies and Sakuraba went on to stage one of the most heated rivalries in MMA history. Sakuraba went to on win four of the five fights with the Gracies. Because of this feat he was called by many as the “Gracie Hunter.”

March 2007 was a sad moment for the PRIDE organization and its fans because the organization was sold to Zuffa promotion. The company which owns the UFC. While remaining legally separate entities with separate management, the two promotions were supposed to cooperate in a united manner. However, this arrangement did not materialize which led to the termination of the Japanese staff. As a result, PRIDE FC's chapter in martial arts history abruptly ended. Gone were MMA fights where foot stomps were legal and brought the audience to the back of their seats in excitement. the Gracie—Sakuraba showdown, the spectacular fireworks and opening ceremonies. The cancelation of the PRIDE events changed MMA in a significant way.

However, on February 2008, it was announced that the remnants of the PRIDE organization collaborated with the Fighting and Entertainment Group, the owners of K-1 (kickboxing and mixed martial arts organization) to form another MMA organization that hopes to hit the MMA world with a bang. Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Hunt, Kazushi Sakuraba, and Jerome LeBanner are among the fighters that will highlight the said organization. A new MMA organization that intends to keep the PRIDE spirit has been formed to compete with other rival organizations.

There is a lot of talk about what martial art is the toughest and which masters of the art could beat all the rest, but never has that question been tested so thoroughly as in the field of MMA. This full combat, nearly no-holds-barred type of fighting pits one competitor against another and the results is here and it’s here to stay.