Basketball season is starting. Although it's fun for most to watch this sport, both live and on television, it's also a fun activity that promotes fitness. Here are five healthy benefits of playing basketball recreationally, for both children and adults:
1. Basketball promotes cardiovascular fitness. This is probably the most obvious benefit. This sport requires extensive running and jumping, which gives the heart and lungs a thorough workout. Since it's usually an enjoyable activity, the workout can last long enough to burn quite a few calories while strengthening the body.
2. This sport helps tone muscles. It's true that basketball won't
Archives for Sports
Kids and Sports: Tips for Parents
September 27th, 2011 by Heather Duchan | Sports
Soccer, volleyball, and football are just a few sport activities kids embark on during the fall. For parents of athletic children, there can be a lot of pressure to provide the best environment for your kids to have fun while also excelling at their sport of choice. Unfortunately, many well-intentioned parents take sports too seriously, causing undo harm to children and taking the enjoyment out of the game. Instead, keep a few tips in mind.
Show unconditional love. Kids who try something new are bound to fail sometimes, especially when they are involved in sports. Make sure you support your
Show unconditional love. Kids who try something new are bound to fail sometimes, especially when they are involved in sports. Make sure you support your
Do Athletes Need Protein Shakes?
August 30th, 2011 by Heather Duchan | Sports
In recent years, marketing has convinced many to believe that athletes have exceptional protein needs, requiring supplementation by protein powders and bars. Every gym and health food store you go into has shelves full of protein shake powders, protein bars, and other protein supplementation products. This is definitely a win for the companies selling these products, but it may be a waste of money for the athletes who use them. According to many experts and medical professionals, protein supplementation is not necessary, even for athletes.
Although an athlete who participates in competitive sports or who has a tough training routine
Although an athlete who participates in competitive sports or who has a tough training routine
WAKA: Exercise and Fun for Adults
August 2nd, 2011 by Heather Duchan | Sports
In fifth grade, I played in a kickball game at recess every day with my friend, Ashley. Like most kickball games, they were played very similar to baseball, on a grass field with three bases and a home plate. Instead of a baseball or softball, we used a large rubber ball and kicked it.
Despite out best efforts, Ashley and I kept the "girls can't play sports well" stereotype alive by sucking royally. Rarely did we ever catch a ball or make it past first base. But despite our lack of coordination, we always had fun, never noticing that we were exerting our
Despite out best efforts, Ashley and I kept the "girls can't play sports well" stereotype alive by sucking royally. Rarely did we ever catch a ball or make it past first base. But despite our lack of coordination, we always had fun, never noticing that we were exerting our
Optimum Performance – Sports Massage
July 8th, 2011 by Heather Duchan | Sports
Some athletes go beyond seeking simple fitness. They focus on attaining a level of performance that may overwork certain muscles in ways that are not always healthy. Many sports require using a single group of muscles over and over in a specific way that can result in hypertrophy, compensation patterns in other muscle groups, and changes in connective tissue formation that result in injuries and chronic soft tissue problems.
According to the book, Understand Sports Massage, there are three types of restorative massage for athletes:
Recovery Massage
Recovery massage is beneficial to athletes with no injuries who need to recover from strenuous
According to the book, Understand Sports Massage, there are three types of restorative massage for athletes:
Recovery Massage
Recovery massage is beneficial to athletes with no injuries who need to recover from strenuous
