Sports Injuries and Their Complications

I have decided to write this article to highlight the importance of understanding the complications that can result from misdiagnosis and untreated injuries.

My story began back in 2001 when doing some free sparring at the gym I used to attend in Manchester, UK. Unfortunately the flooring was uneven and when I went to turn my opponent from a clinch position my right foot became lodged in part of the uneven floor and my body turned 180 agrees. I heard a pop and immediately my knee gave way. Thinking it was just a sprained muscle I just rubbed some Thai oil on it and tried to contain with the sparring session. However the knee went again and I decided to get changed and go home.

Upon returning home I felt like there was something stuck in my knee joint, which was causing this problem. I got my mother to pull my leg out straight in the hope that "something" would pop back into place. However it didn't do the trick and I thought I would just give it some rest. Over the next few months I continued to have problems with my knee going, but I still contained to train because I was actively fighting at that time and didn't want appear to be "soft" to my instructor.

I did visit the doctors a few more times after that. However they kept telling me it was just a pull muscle. The injury really came to a head one morning when my knee locked. That was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced in my life. We called an ambulance and I was taken to the local hospital where they were absolutely no help at all. Later that afternoon I discharged myself still unable to walk properly. Fortunately my knee unlocked itself later that day.

After the above happened I decided that I would go to a knee specialist to see exactly what was happening with my knee. We were well into 2002 now. After a 15 minute consultation at a cost of 150 I was diagnosed with a torn / snapped anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which would need reconstruction surgery. However the cost of the surgery was over 5000 and I didn't have medical insurance to cover it, so I would have to go on the National Health Service (NHS).

After a few months I got to see a knee specialist on the NHS and underwent a MRI scan to see the extent of the damage. The results of the MRI scan were not good. I had actually snapped the ACL and had done a lot of cartilage damage. This could have been avoided if the doctors I initially saw didn't tell me it was a pulled muscle, which made me play down the injury and keep training on it.

I was informed that they would be able to do the surgery to repair the ACL in 6 - 12 months. Having just finished my degree I decided that I would go travelling in south east asia. I brought an ACL brace which was damm expensive and off I went. 3 months later I returned to the UK and another 3 months passed and I was finally in hospital for the surgery. It was now 2003 by this time!

The surgery went smoothly. They took some hamstring tendons and strapped them across my knee and put a few screws in there to hold everything in place. Now it was time for the real hard work. 18 months of physiotherapy to build up the muscles! This was bloody hard work and I found in the winter months I would get a dull aching pain in my knee, which whilst not painful it was very uncomfortable.

I was told after the surgery that I would never train Muay Thai again. However a year after surgery and physiotherapy I did go back to train and teach, but I have never taken place in competitions since. It's just not worth the risk.

You might be thinking what is the point of this story! Well what I would like people to take away from this is that when you get an injury don't down play it. If you feel it's not improving then get specialist advice. You know your body better than most people and you know when something is seriously wrong. This is something I didn't take notice of and was brain washed by people that I was just been "soft", which was compounded by misdiagnosis by general practitioners.

They took x-ray after x-ray and because they couldn't see anything broke then they just assumed it was a pulled muscle. A MRI scan is the only way that I am aware of that will show tendon and ligament damage. However they are reluctant to do this on the NHS, because it costs them a lot of money.

In any sport you are at risk of injuries. However knowing how to treat and look after them could make the difference between recovery and surgery. In my case I would have needed surgery regardless. However I could have saved some of the cartilage in my knee and a lot of pain if I was diagnosis correctly and didn't ignore what my body was telling me.

Croquet: Adapting the Game for Your Back Garden

The problem that most of us have is that our back gardens do not exactly conform to the size and shape required for the traditional set-up required for the prescribed croquet game rules! Well, why not create your own version!

A croquet set will normally consist of the following: mallets, six hoops, different coloured balls, a peg with various different coloured rings on it and some clips. The better sets will have boundary pegs and corner flags included. All very well when you have the 25 by 38 yards rectangular, manicured piece of lawn as required in competition croquet; not so perfect if you have a long and thin, round, odd-shaped or garden full of other garden game equipment cluttering the lawn area. To complete the setting, grandpa insisted on planting your birthday rose right in the centre! Fear not, croquet game rules can be adapted to suit whoever is in control.

Instead of using yard lines and chalk lines forming the perfect rectangular croquet court, why not use the flower beds as the out-of-bounds lines? Instead of following the normal set pattern for the hoops and peg, why not set out your own obstacle course, where participants can get snookered behind the sandpit, or the supports of the climbing frame? We have created very interesting courses that are in all sort of shapes and lines, causing frustration and hilarity at the same time, entertaining players and spectators alike, for extended periods of time. Whether the circuit is completed once or more than once, who cares!

As long as the rules are laid down before the start of the game, everyone is in the same boat. Providing the croquet equipment used is the same for all participants, all you need is a sense of fun, a will to win and a mean streak, ensuring your opponent's ball is in an uncompromising position after croquet was taken. An uneven piece of lawn will ensure that every shot has more than the usual dimensions to it and make planning shots ahead even more challenging. Just visualise how the contours and the lay of the land, influence the game of golf in shot selection and putting! We would not suggest that bunkers come into play in the game of croquet, but obstacles like trees, flower beds, garden furniture and other play equipment, bring challenges to the game that a flat, beautifully manicured lawn could not even dream to provide.

Croquet as a garden game can be enjoyed whether you are a nobleman with the appropriate lawns to enjoy, or the person with a postage stamp for a back garden. Croquet sets come in various sizes and prices; imagination we all have built-in at no cost already. Go outside, have a look at the croquet equipment and type of space you have to your disposal, grab a pen and paper and design the ideal course for you and your family and friends. Be mean but fair and set up your own set of croquet game rules and get stuck in for a fun time for all involved.

Henri J Botha is a keen supporter of putting as much fun into garden games as possible, providing affordable enjoyment for family and friends in the home and garden environment. He is part of a team that runs a website http://www.BestGardenGames.com where they sell lots of garden games like croquet and other sports sets, as well as wooden climbing frames and play equipment. Why not visit the website today and check out the quality products at affordable prices they offer, and while you are there, subscribe to receive the latest special deals on great products!

3 Recommendations for Running Coach and Volunteer Background Checks in Youth Sports

No child should ever have to suffer from sexual abuse, especially while participating in a sports organization that is supposed to be about having fun, making friends and learning new things. While it takes a continued and dedicated effort from sports organizations, coaches, parents, volunteers and the rest of the community at large to protect youth athletes from sexual abuse, volunteer background checks can stop a lot of would-be predators from ever entering a youth sports organization. Here are a few things to consider:

1. All adult volunteers must complete a background check prior to working with any youth sports organization, including criminal history and sex offender registry checks. This includes anyone that might work for the league such as a coach, official, groundskeeper and so forth. Anyone who might have any contact (or opportunity to interact) with the children should be required to complete a background check, no matter how unlikely it seems that they would be a predator. The youth league is ultimately responsible for who is allowed into the organization and it's much better to be extra strict on making sure everyone passes a background check than risk letting even one potential predator slip through the cracks.

2. It's important that the league determines what offenses that could appear during a background check would automatically disqualify a volunteer from being allowed to join the organization. While someone with a history of abuse or violence is easy to disqualify, should people with DUIs on their records be allowed to volunteer? The league needs to decide that. Look at things in black and white; when everyone knows where the line in the sand is it's much easier to create a safe environment for youth athletes. No one should be exempt from this "no go" list, no matter what their qualifications may be.

3. Fingerprint-based screening is often considered the "gold standard" of background checks; however it is not permitted in some states and can be too expensive for many sports organizations to implement even if they do have legal access to it. While the laws from state to state may vary, each organization should make use of the most comprehensive screening available. Keep in mind that different states may have different information on the same person. Someone volunteering in California might have a criminal past in Pennsylvania, but that information might show up in the California state check.

Sports Conditioning Training: 4 Essential Elements

Sports conditioning training is complex, and requires athletes to understand many important elements. This is why athletes' conditioning routines are often times a topic of debate. The debate is the result of thousands of different viewpoints from athletic professionals who have their own separate ideas about which conditioning methods are most beneficial for athletes.

In order to understand sports conditioning, you need to learn about four important elements.

The first question is, what energy system is necessary for your individual sport?

What kind of movement does your sport require? Non-linear or linear?

Does your sport require short explosive movements or repetitive single-speed movement?

Do you train year-round?

All four of these questions are essential for developing a proper conditioning training routine.

Uncovering Energy Systems

Every athlete must understand what energy system his or her sport requires. In every sporting event, there are two energy systems that the body uses. The first is the anaerobic system. For something to identify as anaerobic, it must be a movement that last for less than two minutes.

Anaerobic exercises are typically used to increase explosiveness, increase lean muscle mass, eliminate fat storage, and increase overall conditioning levels. This is because most anaerobic routines are of high-intensity. Some popular anaerobic exercises include weightlifting, sprints, or plyometrics.

In sports, some anaerobic movements include hitting a golf ball, swinging a bat, rebounding a basketball, or scoring a touchdown to name only a few. On the contrary, the aerobic energy system is completely different. Typically, a movement is considered aerobic when it lasts longer than two minutes, maintains a singular pace, and is used for a long duration of time. While many aerobic exercises can decrease fat storage, they can also decrease muscle mass. Aerobic exercises are designed to increase slow twitch muscle fibers.

Some aerobic exercises including swimming, cycling, or long distance running.

Sports that rely primarily on the aerobic system include swimming, cross-country, and triathlon athletes.

What is Linear and Non-linear Movement?

Every athlete must determine what type of movements their particular sport requires. By doing so, it will be easier to structure a conditioning training regime that is sport-specific.

Players must understand that linear is any movement that is in a direct line, and non-linear is any movement with immediate change of direction. In reality, the majority of sports utilize non-linear movements. This is why it's important to include conditioning exercises that involve non-linear movements.

Some linear methods are effective like sprints or hills sprints, but for the most part, athletes should focus on gaining quicker change of direction. Cross-country and sprinting are both sports that can rely more on linear techniques since both sports are completely linear by nature. However, it's still important that these athletes utilize non-linear techniques as well.

Does your sport require explosive movements?

This is a pretty easy question to answer because it's obvious whether or not your sport is explosive. Do any of the movements in your sport require you to accelerate into motion or change direct?

If the answer is yes, then your sport is explosive. In this case, your conditioning training should always be structured to increase explosiveness. Avoid running long distance, and pretty much avoid all forms of aerobic conditioning.

Athletes Must Train Year-Round

Athletes must train year-round in order to maintain and increase conditioning capacity. Athletes must not lose their gains during the season, and need to focus on increase their conditioning ability during the off-season.

Don't let all your hard-work from the off-season be lost during the season! Now that you understand some important sports conditioning requirements, you know that your routine is depends on the nature of your sport.

Table Tennis Is a Pastime That Never Gets Old

Table tennis, or ping-pong, is a game in which two opponents hit a small ping pong ball back and forth across a table, divided by a net, using ping pong paddles. Created in 1926, table tennis has changed and become more of a sport over the decades and has even been classified as an Olympic sport. While created originally as a favorite hobby for the young and old alike, this game has become a competitive sport, and has been redesigned by many players to accommodate their wants and size of social gatherings. You can even find any type of table to meet your sporting needs.

While the original table tennis table was a hard table approximately 9 feet long and 5 feet wide, many different types have been created to accommodate more than just two players, and to give the player a different feel when competing. There are many options available, such as a triangular table to allow 3 players to play, an octagonal table that allows 4 players to play, and even a hexapong table designed to allow 6 players to compete at once. In colleges across the world, young adults have even created their own version of this multi-faceted game called beer pong. While there are no official rules or table guidelines for this version of table tennis, the general idea is to get your ping pong ball into your opponents beer cup, which in turn has them consume the entire glass of beer. The first person to give up is considered the loser, while the remaining opponent in crowned champion.

Choosing a paddle is just as important as choosing the table you will be playing on because different table tennis paddles offer different speeds, spins, and will be easier to control based on the type of grip you choose. While paddles are generally made up of wood covered in some sort of thin rubber material, choosing a paddle with a straight handled grip is the best option which will give the player more flexibility and control. If playing professionally, choosing something sturdy with a sponge like cover is the best option, while really anything that allows you to hit the ball with ease will work for in-home play.

Ping pong is one of the few pastimes that refuses to go out of style. With new techniques, tables, and rules created with every generation, this sport is sure to stay in style for decades to come. This is truly a pastime that never gets old.

Flying Remote Control Planes Alone (Part 1)

Two basic options are relevant to the subject; the first is "Will you be flying alone or with a group of flight enthusiasts?". If you are flying alone, there are some basic considerations that must be taken into account. We will cover flying in groups later in a separate articles.

When flying alone, a few things to keep in mind are as follows:

a) Location: If there is a good runway without obstructions, high voltage lines, or lots of people then you are most likely safe and good to go. Let's explore this a little further. Obstructions must be flown around and if your skill level is not top notch, it is very likely that you will cause a catastrophic loss to your aircraft. High voltage line while easy to miss do pose a threat as they can interfere with your transmitter which again will create a likelihood that you will crash. Remember that people are obstructions and the more people the higher the possibility that you may crash your plane into a crowd causing injury and possible lawsuits. It is fun to have people watch your flight and many people will gravitate to the lure of flight; but, you need to be proficient. If you are just starting out, make sure you are alone or with trusted friends standing behind you.

b) Pre-Flight Checks: Just as pilots of full size aircraft complete a pre-flight check list, you must also do the same before taking flight. The reason is simple; mechanical and electrical devices are prone to failure. Ensure that the transmitter controls are in a neutral position. Example: do not have the throttle at full speed. Then place your plane on the ground and turn on the transmitter and connect the battery on the plane to the appropriate connection. Check your transmitter battery power level as weak batteries could bring your plane down. While your plane is on the ground, test out the controls on the transmitter to ensure they respond as expected. This applies to three, four, or even six channel controllers. Select a good take off runway and taxi your plane down the runway and back without actually getting enough speed to leave the runway. If everything seems to be operating as expected, go down the run way with a little more speed and gently lift off the ground and then land again. Do this several times. Things you want to look for when you lift off are shifts in your planes direction (left or right). Adjust any shifting issues with the trim controls on your controller. If this does not fix the problem, you may need to adjust the hard linkage to correct the problem.

Good luck (skill) to you and expect more to follow on this subject.

Ten Tips For First Time Nudists

For some people, nudism is just a way to enjoy recreation without the constriction of clothing. For others, it's a way of life. But for all, it fosters the acceptance of their own bodies, whatever age or shape. If you're ready to experience the freedom of clothes-free recreation and learn to stop hating your body, start by reading these ten tips for first time nudists.

1) Do some research. There are different types of nudist places, and one type may be more comfortable for you than another. You may choose to visit a non-landed nudist club, a nude beach, a nudist resort, or any of a number of venues. Just be sure that the place you're considering is not a lifestyle club that covers up its swinger activities by using the term "nudist" or "naturist." Nudism is a wholesome activity that has nothing to do with sex.

2) Enlist a friend. Anything new is easier when you do it with someone you know and trust. But if you don't have any friends who would like to try nudism, go ahead and venture into it alone. You'll soon have new friends who already enjoy clothes-free activities.

3) Make concrete plans. Decide which nudist place you feel you would like to visit. Make a reservation if one is required. If not, set a date to visit and write it on the calendar. This makes it more like a commitment, and you'll be more likely to follow through.

4) Keep it to yourself. If you are at all nervous about visiting a nudist place for the first time, don't tell anyone else you are going. Even if you're not embarrassed about it, other people might be. If they don't understand naturism, they might try to talk you out of going. Don't let their objections deter you.

5) Show up. As the date for your planned visit approaches, you may start to get cold feet. Don't let fear stop you. If you're going with a friend you can encourage each other. If you are going alone, see if there is someone at the entrance who can show you around so you don't have that awkward feeling of not knowing where everything is.

6) Sit on a towel. One of the most common rules of etiquette at a nudist place is to never sit directly on any surface. Always have a towel with you so you can respect this hygienic practice.

7) Be friendly. It doesn't matter where you are or what the situation - if you stay in your shell and don't talk to anyone, you're going to feel conspicuous and uncomfortable. Once you're in the midst of the group, introduce yourself and let people know you're a first time nudist. Everyone has a "first time" story, and soon you'll realize that your initial nervousness is not unique.

8) Don't make inappropriate jokes or comments. Nudism is about enjoying life in a natural state, and participants want to feel they can do so in a safe and respectful environment. Jokes of a sexual nature or disparaging remarks about people's bodies can make the others feel uncomfortable, and you won't be welcome.

9) Show respect for others. At first you may worry about keeping your eyes above or below a certain point when you look at other people. Relax and let your eyes drift naturally. It's okay to look around, but don't stare. Also, don't photograph people without their permission. Some folks don't mind, but others do. Always ask first.

10) Respect the boundaries, both of the location and of the people. Once on the nudist grounds, don't wander outside of the established nude areas. Don't be a pest. Just as in any situation, there are times when people want to have their own space. If you sense someone wants privacy, leave them alone. Refrain from sexual activity. That is not the purpose of a nudist place. Nudity does not equate to sex, and if you overstep this boundary, you will be asked to leave.

Bonus tip for men - Sexual arousal is frowned upon at nudist places, but it is understood that any number of things can cause involuntary arousal in a man. If it happens to you, simply go for a swim or cover up with a towel until things relax.