Which Spring Sport Should You Join?

The NCAA sports program includes many spring sports that can help college athletes achieve their athletic goals. Many of these sports help reinforce the values of teamwork and healthy competitiveness and are often effective in shaping students’ academic futures. The following spring sports are among the best for student-athletes.

Baseball and Softball

Students can choose to join college baseball and softball teams and partake in games throughout the season. Even though baseball and softball are very similar, they have some differences such as the size of the ball, the distance between bases and the types of bats that are used. Either game is great for sharpening the mind and improving fine motor skills.

Rowing

Rowing provides a great way to improve cardiovascular and muscular strength while spending time in the fresh outdoor air. Students can choose to join rowing teams with as many as eight rowers or compete as individual athletes. Practices are often held in the early morning before classes, which gives student-athletes the chance to fit in some exercise and clear their minds before learning.

Tennis

Tennis is a game that emphasizes the importance of concentration, strategy and quick movements as opponents face off against each other. This game sharpens balance and coordination and often requires a great amount of endurance when playing in long games. Men’s and women’s singles and standard doubles tournaments are separated by gender, but men and women can sometimes play together by forming mixed doubles teams.

Golf

One of the best aspects of golf is that it doesn’t require as much physical strength or endurance as other sports but still provides a great workout. Golfers use their core, upper back and arm muscles during their swings, so it’s still important to exercise these muscle groups. The object of the game is to get the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible.

Track and Field

Track and field consists of several sports that challenge students athletically in different ways. From the fast-twitch muscles needed for sprinting to the strong cardiovascular fitness that’s required for long-distance running, student-athletes can use their specific strengths by competing in specific disciplines. Track and field specialists can compete in many different NCAA championships and perhaps try out for the Olympics one day.

Spring sports offer students many opportunities to partake in athletic activities that provide both physical and academic benefits.

From ArthurDanner.com

Two Sports People Can Participate In After Injuries

Injuries can make it difficult, even next to impossible to participate in certain sports. However, there are still alternatives for competitive athletes in spite of an injury. There will be limitations depending on the type and severity of the injury.

But, with a little inventive ambition, an injury doesn’t have to confine someone to a sedentary lifestyle. Here are two sports for people who have experienced injuries. This is a pair of options that provide both rehabilitative benefit and competitive opportunities for the enthusiastic athlete.

Swimming & Water Sports

One of the best places for people with sports injuries is in the water. There are multiple options depending on the severity of the injury. Frequently, therapists and personal trainers strongly suggest exercises where the person’s body weight is supported. This water buoyancy allows for safe rehabilitation from severe spinal cord injuries.

People can also participate in a number of fun water sports. If the injury allows the person to swim normal strokes, they can join swim teams no matter how old they are. Many community pools offer water volleyball, water aerobics and other activities. The pool is a great place to rehab an injury. People can also enjoy competitive sports.

Rowing, Canoeing & Kayaking

Another sporting activity that can be performed after an injury is rowing. Of course, the intensity and location of the injury must be taken into account before trying this sport. One advantage of rowing is that the person doesn’t necessarily need to use their legs. This is appealing for keeping the core and upper body fit while rehabbing a leg injury.

Rowing, canoeing and kayaking as a sport are also great choices because of the intrinsic benefits. The person can explore new places and enjoy the pleasure of relaxing on the water. There are competitive options in rowing and kayaking for the hardened athlete as well. There are individual rowing competitions, or clubs that offer team events.

Remember to secure medical clearance before starting any vigorous activity after an injury. Nothing can make a former athlete more anxious than having to give up sports. However, with some intuitive forethought, there are ways to still participate in sports after an injury. These examples might prove a great place to start.

From ArthurDanner.com

What is the XFL?

What do the letters X-F-L stand for? Surprisingly, nothing. Creator and CEO Vince McMahon just thought it sounded cool compared to their top competitor, the NFL. But what the XFL was, was a professional football league in the United States. It played only one season in 2001. Below, readers will learn what the XFL was, and where it’s going.

The Backstory

The XFL was a one-hundred million dollar project that combined efforts from NBC and the World Wrestling Federation (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment). The league claimed to be the polar opposite of its main competitor, the NFL. Instead, the XFL offered viewers dangerous hits, skimpier cheerleaders, and players who were making low wages – but were paid bonuses for winning.

Where Did the XFL Go Wrong

Readers may read the back story and think the XFL sounds good. And at first, it did garner high ratings. But things quickly went downhill. There were good ideas, like players choosing the name on the back of their jersey. They also implemented the sky-cam, that is used in the NFL today.

The problems quickly outnumbered the good ideas. Instead of starting the game with a coin toss, players would race to get the ball in the middle of the field. This quickly caused devastating injuries.

Players were encouraged to date cheerleaders, and wrestling-like storylines were implemented. This took away from the football aspect, and made it more like wrestling.

Cheerleaders were displayed in very little clothing, and women were in hot tubs behind the end zone. This caused activists to take a stance.

All of this caused the ratings to plummet so badly that a second season was never played.

The Comeback

The XFL is planning a new season in 2020. This time, it’s owned by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment. The WWE and NBC have no stake.

Vince McMahon cites two key differences this time. While the “sports entertainment” component will still be a part of the XFL, it won’t be as outlandish and blatant as the earlier league. The second difference is that the rules and overall game will be purposefully simpler than those of the NFL. This is strategic as many fans claim the NFL makes the rules too complicated.

The 2020 season of the XFL was recently announced, so there’s not much to know just yet. Excitement will continue to build as 2020 is approached.

Originally posted on ArthurDanner.com

The Dangers Of Sports

Anyone who loves sports knows that the games aren’t always safe. As much as I would love to tout only the benefits of sports, there are also many risks associated with sports. Today, we’ll take a look at some common sport-related injuries, their treatment and long-term effects, and ways you can protect yourself or your child while playing.

Concussion

A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by an object hitting the head with force. One concussion may be easy to recover from, but many athletes feel pressured to return to their team before they are physically able. In fact, this is a recurring trend among athletes with any injury. However, concussions are perhaps one of the worst injuries to have, because of the long-term consequences. If an athlete continues to get concussions, they may suffer from impaired motor skills, memory problems, and depression, amongst other symptoms.

If you or someone you know plays sports (particularly, but not exclusively, contact sports), make sure they are educated about the effects of a concussion first. Encourage them to come forward and seek medical help if they believe they have a concussion. Help them adapt to their new lifestyle. And finally, before anyone even gets a concussion, make sure they have proper head protection or at least stay mindful about what is happening around them.

ACL Tear

The ACL is one of the major muscles supporting the knee and leg, so any athlete who tears this muscle will know fairly quickly. Athletes who often pivot incorrectly are at a higher risk of tearing their ACL. Once the ACL is torn, it will become increasingly difficult to walk normally and turn corners. It is crucial that anyone with a torn ACL see a doctor to determine the severity of the tear.

For people with small tears and strains, bed rest and ice are the treatment. A severe tear, however, may require ACL repairment surgery. It also increases the risk for arthritis, although surgery may offset some of the risk. Furthermore, many cases also require extensive physical therapy for several weeks. To avoid tearing the ACL, athletes should stay present and aware at all times. It can also be helpful to practice correct turns to promote muscle memory. Unfortunately, not much else can be done to prevent a torn ACL, as it is an internal injury.

Tennis Elbow

Any athlete who has to grip an object to play is at risk for tennis elbow. In fact, this injury can happen to anyone who has to grip objects frequently. The repetitive action was once said to inflame muscles in the arm, but doctors are now discovering that may not be the case. However, it is known that tennis elbow causes high levels of pain while performing any kind of motion with the arm, wrist, or hand. This, of course, makes it impossible to play sports, as well as perform many other menial tasks.

Once someone has tennis elbow, they are typically told not to use their arm and possibly to ice it. Physiotherapy is common as well, and very severe cases may include surgery. To avoid this injury, doctors suggest strengthening the forearms. People with weaker forearms are more likely to become injured in this way, as their muscles can’t handle the motion. The only other way to prevent it is to avoid repetitive gripping and twisting motions with the arms. It is important to ensure that anyone experiencing these symptoms consult a doctor and take a break from the activity that caused them.

Sports are fun and a great way to stay in shape. However, there is a scary side to sports that comes in the form of the many injuries they produce. Particularly for children or people past their prime, it is important to stay cognizant of your surroundings and the risks you are taking by playing this sport. If you take enough precautions, you will increase your chance of staying safe.

Originally posted on ArthurDanner.com.