Why Women Are at Higher Risk for ACL Injuries The ACL is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. Most injuries occur in the young, athletic population. The ACL is injured when it sustains a force that exceeds the strength of the ligament. This may result from non-contact injury (landing awkwardly, cutting or changing direction). Women suffer ACL injuries at a significantly higher rate than men. Kevin Plancher, M.D., investigates the unique issues that impact the orthopedic health of female athletes.
The Secret to Core Training for Athletes
By Donna Snow
Do you want to jump higher, run faster or hit the ball further? Well listen up, I'm about to tell you the secret. Training the core muscles to hold you still rather than flex you forward, like in a crunch, is the key to total power. The core muscles consist of the abdominals, low back and oblique muscles – basically the muscles between the pelvis and the ribs. They wrap around your body, providing support for your whole body.The main job of the core is to act like a stiff board and to limit rotation of the pelvis. When ...
Warning Signs of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Published: Saturday, March 01, 2008
Determination—the ability to train hard, to push oneself to the max—is an admirable quality that helps propel competitive athletes to the top of their game. In encouraging girls to “go for the gold,” it is important to be aware of potential health risks. The pursuit of athletic perfection, in combination with a relentless drive for thinness, may open the door to the development of an eating disorder—anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. These illnesses involve thoughts, emotions and behaviors and—unless treated—can result in serious problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, infertility or bone loss. In the world of competitive sports, high ...
Recovery Yoga
By Heather K. Scott www.babyzone.com
The time after you give birth can be the most exciting time of your life, but it can also be the most difficult. Your body has just undergone the largest transformation it will ever make, and the slow road back to your prenatal state can be long and arduous. You may be recovering from a Cesarean section or an episiotomy in addition to the inherent physical exhaustion of labor. Your abdominal muscles have stretched to inches within their limits and now need to regain their strength and pre-pregnancy shape. Your back and hips may feel tight and inflexible. And you probably feel psychologically detached from your body—a stranger to the new you. Yoga may be the last thing on your mind, but just a couple minutes of practice each day can help speed up your recovery time, reconnect your mind and body, and even battle postpartum depression.
Off Balance – Dealing With Injuries
By Sharon Barbano, M.Ed.
Great advice for staying healthy and recovering from sporting mishaps.
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