NCAA Women's Basketball Live: GCU Women's Basketball vs Seattle U and Women's Training For Basketball!

GCU Women's Basketball hosts Seattle U February 20, 2020 at 6pm at GCU Arena.

Women's Training For Basketball! From Bodybuilding.com

Mauro Di Pasquale

Coach Sigmon and Physical Therapist Jay Isear of the Charlotte Hornets, who work with both men and women professional basketball players, explain the different approaches they take in training the two genders.

For every activity there is a specific way you should train to get maximal, timely results. Coach Falsone details his cardio workout for the Houston Rockets and Comets.

Basketball Cardiovascular Conditioning

The following are guidelines for an off-season basketball cardiovascular program, which is designed to increase the endurance and efficiency of your cardiorespiratory system.

The program consists of two components:

• Cardiovascular Training - (Aerobic Work)
• Sprint (Interval) Training - (Anaerobic Work)

Stage One: Cardiovascular Training - (Aerobic Work)

Cardiovascular training is crucial in order to build a solid base of conditioning. This type of training should be executed 3-4 days per week and can involve activities such as running, biking, hiking and swimming.

If you choose to run, perform these activities on a track or grass surface to alleviate stress on the knees. It is important that you realize that you DO NOT have to distance run every day in order to get an effective workout.

Running is extremely effective, but it is also extremely stressful if done over long periods and distances. Cross-Training is an effective method to use in order to get results with little risk to your body. The stresses the body encounters doing a variety of activities is more beneficial to the athlete than the stresses encountered by doing the same old, tired routine. Also, the risk of injury is greater if you only take part in one activity.

Here are some examples of different forms of cardiovascular exercise along with suggested time limits:

• Exercise Bike - 30-45 minutes. Jogging - 30 minutes.
• Stairmaster - 30 minutes. Aerobics Class - 30 minutes.
• Water Exercise - 30 minutes. Versa Climber - 30 minutes.

Again, these are only a few suggestions. Use your imagination to create cross-training programs that will keep you interested and motivated.

Basic Max Heart Rate Calculator

Your Target Heart Rate must be maintained in order to gain the full benefit of cardiovascular training. At this point in time it is necessary that your Training Heart Rate (THR) fall between 70-75 percent of your Maximum Heart Rate (MHR).

Enter Your Age:  Years Old

Press Calculate To View Results Below

Using this very basic formula, your max heart rate is .

To get an exact measurement, click here.

Stage Two: Sprint / Interval-Training

Anaerobic training involves the application of timed recovery periods following brief, but intense runs. This type of training is specific to the nature of basketball. In a game situation, play (work) is stopped when a timeout is called, or a penalty is assessed (rest interval). The goal of interval-training is to condition your body to become accustomed to not only the high-intensity running nature of the game but, also, the brief recovery periods.

While other players try to catch their breath during free throws, you are recovering. This results in the ability to sustain high-intensity output throughout an entire game. In order to make this possible, rest periods employed during anaerobic conditioning sessions will range from 1:1 to a 1:3 work/rest ratio. All rest periods have been predetermined for future training sessions.

Prior to sprint training, it is important that you warm up and stretch sufficiently. It is also necessary that you perform a sprint-specific warm up, in addition to your general warm-up and flexibility program. This will greatly assist you in preparing your muscles for high-intensity work, and help reduce the chance of an injury occurring.

Remember, stretching is not warming up. Sitting on your butt stretching has absolutely nothing to do with running. While stretching is important, understand that it is only part of the preparation protocol.

jump rope

1. General Warm Up - Designed to increase body temperature and to gradually elevate heart rate, similar to slightly revving your car engine on a cold morning, a mile jog, bike, treadmill, fast walk and jump rope all qualify as a general warm up. Duration of warm up should be from 5-10 minutes.
2. Flexibility - Never stretch a cold muscle. Always performed following General Warm-up. Designed to increase the elasticity and circulation to muscles, and further prepares your body for exercise. When stretching, pay close attention to your quads, hamstrings and calves but don't neglect to perform upper body stretches as well. Sprinting is a total-body movement. Injury to any part of the body is a possibility if necessary steps of prevention are not taken.
3. Sprint-Specific Warm Up - Specific to the nature and movement patterns of running. Performed prior to sprint training, the sprint-specific routine will help to loosen tight muscle groups in an Active, and Dynamic, way (also known as Active Warm Up and/or Dynamic Warm Up).

During your sprint workout it is important that you practice proper running technique. Arm gait (cheek-to-cheek), hnee drive (forward), body alignment and head tilt must be carefully monitored and maintained. Concentrate all movement forward, not across your body.

You will begin the sprint-training program with "strides" (75 percent), and will gradually increase intensity as the week's progress. Over the course of the off-season, the intensity (speed/effort) of the runs should increase, while the volume (in this case, distance), should decrease. Once you begin sprinting, all sprints must be performed as close to maximum as possible (90-100 percent), in order to benefit your performance.

The Final Stage: Basketball-Specific Metabolic Training

I think it is important to mention that the majority of our early work involves endurance running, and the later work tapers from long duration type sprints: 800m, 400m and 200m, to shorter, more intense, sprints such as 100m, 50m, 20m and 10m. When we get to the final stages of the off-season we are doing strict basketball-specific work; most all of it is performed on the basketball court.

This final preparation work involves conditioning drills with the ball and metabolic conditioning. An example of metabolic type work would be repeats, or rather, back-to-back runs with rest periods, that are specific to the nature of the game (see routine below). I have even gone so far as to design a position-specific metabolic program for my players.

Some of our players like to do their in-season conditioning work outside, as do some of the players undergoing rehabilitation. However, we are trying to duplicate the short, intense sprints that are done on the basketball floor.

Metabolic Conditioning Example

• Starting on baseline
• Sprint to free throw line - sprint back
• Immediately sprint to opposite baseline - sprint back
• Immediately sprint to halfcourt - backpedal back
  Rest 25 seconds
• Lateral slide to free throw line (left arm lead) - slide back
• Sprint to halfcourt - backpedal back
• Lateral slide to free throw line (r. arm lead) - slide back
• Rest 25 seconds

I would repeat this type of drill, changing the commands on each, for a total of six reps. After 6 of these cycles have been completed, I give the player a 2-minute rest period, during which, the player will shoot free throws. Following the 2-minunte rest, we do another set of six. Again followed by 2-minunte rest with free throw shooting.

All in all, the player ATTEMPTS to complete six sets of this program. However, I can do as little or as much as I need, depending on what I am trying to accomplish. A player trying to maintain conditioning may need as little as two sets of six. A player trying to return to the court after injury will of course require more.

Conclusion

If you follow these guidelines, you will gradually build up your aerobic and anaerobic levels to meet the demands of the basketball season, but remember, be safe. Don't push yourself too hard early on. If you get ahead of schedule, you may overstress your body, which could lead to injury. Take your time, and do it right. You'll get to where you need to be by the start of the season. Good Luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mauro Di Pasquale

Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale is one of the most influential voices on diet, performance and athletic training in the world. His innovative work in finding nu

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EMF, Time-Restricted Eating and Supplements with Dr. Mercola | The Dr. Axe Show | and How The Qlink Can Help You

This week, Dr. Axe is joined by natural health expert, Dr. Mercola. Tune in to learn about how cell phone signals are impacting our health, methods to increase exercise recovery and what he believes are the top five most important supplements to include in our everyday life.

How The Qlink Can Help You

By: Juliette Pickup

In our every day lives we are being affected by forces that we cannot see and these forces are wearing down our health, both mental and physical, on a daily basis. These forces originate from EMFs, Electromagnetic Fields, which are present everywhere, but is concentrated in certain areas, like near power lines. In the home the EMFs are concentrated around power outlets. The Q-link was created by group of professionals who combined their research to produce a device that would help people to resist the effects of the EMFs. The Qlink is intended to help to build up your bio-field, the field that permeates and extends out of our bodies, and help you to combat the effects of radiation on your health. The Q-link is also intended to help those that live or work within a highly irradiated environment to continue to function at a peak levels. The Qlink is an attractive, stylish pendant that can be worn any time and should be worn as often as possible to ensure that you receive the greatest benefits from it. This pendant will look good while providing you with a multitude of benefits. That something that looks so good can help you so much seems almost too much to believe, but the Q-link does just that. It is worn by many celebrities and many top performing athletes. The athletes attest to the fact that the Qlink helps them to perform better than when they are not wearing it and even if you are not a top level athlete this pendant can help you in many ways. The Q-link has 3 chief functions and through the performing of these functions you will be the recipient of many health benefits, both mental and physical. The chief functions are strengthening you capacity to function within an EMF inundated atmosphere, the bolstering of your resistance and resilience to the effects of stress encountered in the course of daily life and the third function is the increasing of your energy and the enhancing of your mental performance especially in times where you are submitted to large amounts of stress and tension to help you cope with the addition pressure. The Qlink provides you with a myriad of benefits, including protection from the EMF radiation that is so prevalent these days, the enhancement of mental alertness and lucidity, the aid in balancing your emotion to help achieve the mental alertness and lucidity, helping you to achieve deep and refreshing sleep on a regular basis, as well as an improvement in athletic performance. The more you wear your Q-link, the more emphatic the benefits will be that you receive. Your Qlink should be worn as often as possible, including while you sleep at night. If you wear it at all time then you will be helping to enforce your bio-field in a major and this will help to combat the lethargy, ailments and weariness that you feel when your bio-field has deteriorated. All Qlink information has been researched and written by Juliette Pickup http://www.blockemf.com

FIBA Women's Basketball LIVE - Fenerbahce Oznur Kablo v BLMA - EuroLeague Women 2019-20 and Power: How Basketball Players And Other Power Athletes Can Learn To Jump Higher And Run Faster!

Watch live the Regular Season game between Fenerbahce Oznur Kablo and BLMA from the EuroLeague Women 2019-20

Power: How Basketball Players And Other Power Athletes Can Learn To Jump Higher And Run Faster! from Bodybuilding.com

Peak Performance

Power is a vital ingredient in the game of basketball. This article will clarify exactly what is needed to achieve true peak performance as a basketball player.

As all basketball players know, power is a vital ingredient in the game, and coaches constantly search for ways to improve power - most specifically the ability to jump higher and run faster.

Surprisingly, there is tremendous controversy on the most effective way to achieve this, The aim of this article is to clarify exactly what is needed to achieve true peak performance as a basketball player.

Two Schools Of Thought

Currently, there are two main schools of thought.

 1. Boost Power By Mimicking Sports Skills

Proponents of the first believe athletic power is best-improved by performing strength training movements that 'mimic' sports skills. These movements are ballistic in nature (performed at a high velocity) and rely heavily on the involvement of momentum.

Examples include the power clean (and its closest derivatives), medicine ball training, and various 'plyometric' exercises. These movements are performed in the belief that the power exhibited during training will directly transfer to and enhance the specific sports skill in question.

 2. Weight Training Is Useless For Sports Skills

The second school of thought holds that the weight room and the playing field (or court, track, etc) are completely separate entities and no movement performed in the weight room is capable of improving any specific sports skill (except, of course, for the specific sports skills of Olympic and Power lifting).

Proponents of this school of thought believe all strength training movements should be performed in a controlled manner (i.e. at a low velocity), eliminating as much momentum as possible.

They argue that power is best-improved by strengthening all of the body's musculature and by spending countless hours practicing the specific sports skill they are trying to improve - not trying to mimic the movements in the weight room.

I have no reservations advocating the latter theory. However, it is not my purpose to discredit or try to 'punch holes' in the training philosophies and beliefs of the first school of thought (despite the fact that, in my humble opinion, many of these practices are not just unproductive but extremely dangerous).

Instead, I want to focus on what I believe is a safer, more efficient, more productive and certainly more practical way to improve athletic power.

Improving Athletic Power

In order to find a way to improve athletic power, we first need to define it. Power is simply the rate at which work is performed. Work is defined as 'the product of force and distance' (work = force x distance). To express this definition in practical terms, we can use the following formula:

If you examine this formula, you can see there are several different ways to improve athletic power:

 1. Increase Force

Increasing the force applied to a specific sport skill (while keeping distance and time constant) is one way to increase athletic power. In order to increase the application of force, you have to boost your strength levels because strength and force are directly related.

Strength can be defined as "the ability of skeletal muscle to produce force." Therefore, if you increase your strength, you increase your ability to produce force, which in turn, results in an increase in athletic power. For example, the more force a linebacker can put into the skill of tackling, the more powerful the tackle will be.

I believe the safest, most efficient, and most productive way to increase strength is through high intensity interval training (HIIT)- any strength training that is hard, brief and infrequent, utilizing deliberate and controlled repetitions.

In order to develop strength effectively, an athlete should subject the musculature of the body to constant tension (for 50-120 seconds) until the point of momentary muscular failure. This should be done in a manner that optimizes joint and muscle function and not to mimic a specific sports skill.

 2. Increase Distance

Increasing the distance over which force is applied (while keeping force and time constant) is another way to improve athletic power. The most efficient way to do this is by increasing

flexibility

, defined as the 'range of motion in a joint or group of joints'. An increase in range of motion can result in an increase in distance which, in turn, boosts athletic power.

One example is improving low back, hip and shoulder flexibility to allow for a greater range of motion in a golf swing. By increasing the distance over which the club head can be brought back prior to the swing, you increase your power (providing, of course, that force and time are kept constant).

The same can be said for 'cocking' your leg back to kick a soccer ball. Improving flexibility in order to increase the distance over which force can be applied can be achieved through a combination of sensible full range of motion strength training as well as a comprehensive flexibility and stretching program.

 3. Decrease Time

Decreasing the time during which force is applied (while keeping force and distance constant) is yet another way to improve athletic power. In essence, decreasing the time it takes to perform a skill means increasing the 'speed' at which the skill is performed, which leads to an increase in athletic power.

The most effective and practical way to achieve this increase in speed is through countless hours of task-specific skill practice. You need to practice the specific skill exactly like it will be used in competition.

For example, the more a center practices the specific skill of snapping the football and then executing his particular blocking pattern during 'game-like' conditions, the more proficient he will become at performing it.

Increasing proficiency means it will take him less time and effort to perform the specific skill and this will lead to an increase in athletic power. I believe proper skill training is the most underappreciated aspect of trying to improve athletic power.

Competent coaching, videotape analysis and hours of practice are the best ways to increase skill proficiency.

Genes First

It should be obvious that any combination of the above (for example increasing force and decreasing time) will lead to an even more pronounced improvement in athletic power. But I should also point out that every athlete's potential to improve each of the components of athletic power is, for the most part, predetermined by their genetic make up.

For example, some athletes are inherently predisposed to obtaining higher levels of strength while others are more neurologically efficient. It is the athletes that are born with all of the right genetic determinants who have the potential for producing the athletic power seen in such U.S. sports legends as LeBron James, Barry Bonds and Lavar Arrington.

This is not to deny that every athlete can make relatively significant gains in strength, flexibility and skill proficiency, but to point out that not everyone has the genetic potential to become a world-class athlete.

Other Factors

Two other areas worthy of mention in relation to improving athletic power are excess body fat and overall conditioning, both of which are involved in more than one component of the power formula.

 Excess Body Fat

Excess body fat (which is "dead weight" for an athlete) may inhibit both flexibility and skill proficiency, while maintaining an appropriate percentage body fat will maximize the potential for both.

Click Here To Learn About Fat Loss Diets.

 Overall Conditioning

As for conditioning - what use are strength and skill proficiency if they cannot be maintained throughout an entire competition? Preventing or delaying the onset of fatigue is crucial to performance.

All athletes should strive to be as strong and as skillful in the fourth quarter as they were in the first, and a high level of conditioning is key to this goal.

Summary

In summary, if an athlete is to improve power in a safe, efficient, productive and practical way, he or she needs to do the following on a consistent basis:

• Increase strength (using the guidelines and principles of high intensity training);
• Increase flexibility (using full range of motion exercises and a stretching program);
• Increase skill proficiency (investing countless hours in practicing specific skill work);
• Decrease excess body fat (adhering to a sensible nutritional plan);
• Increase conditioning level (increasing both aerobic and anaerobic capacities).

This article was first published in 'Hard Training Newsletter.'

References

• Asanovich, Mark, The 1999 Buccaneer's Strength and Conditioning Seminar (March 1999)
• Brzycki, Matt, A Practical Approach to Strength Training (3rd Edition), Master's Press, (1995)

1. Schmidt, Richard, Motor Control and Learning (3rd Edition), Human Kinetics (1999)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peak Performance

Peak Performance is a newsletter for athletes, featuring the latest research from the sports science world.

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International Women's Basketball Live FIBA on US Sports Net Featuring: LIVE - Orman Genclik v Basket Landes - EuroCup Women 2019-20

Watch live the Round of 8 game between Orman Genclik and Basket Landes from the EuroCup Women 2019-20

Demetra Bounced Back To Being An All-Star from Bodybuilding.com 

Christina Marfice

Teen basketball star Demetra overcame depression and reclaimed her hoop dreams. She transformed her body, got back on the court, and stepped onto the fitness stage.

VITAL STATS

Name: Demetra Eftimiades
Location: Rockville, MD

Growing up, Demetra Eftimiades was a star athlete. She ran track, kickboxed, played soccer, softball, volleyball, lacrosse, and dominated at her favorite sport—basketball. Despite her all-star lifestyle, Demetra's poor eating habits of pizza, pasta, and carb-heavy foods finally took a toll, and she began to suffer from body-image problems. She became depressed and stopped eating, rapidly losing 30 pounds.

Lying in bed one night, Demetra wondered why she had let her health decline so far. She made the decision then and there that she would take back control of her body. The next morning, she began a transformation that would get her into the best shape of her life.

This is Demetra's story.

HOW DID YOUR STRUGGLE WITH YOUR WEIGHT BEGIN?

I slowly gained weight throughout high school and into my first year of college. I played basketball for an NJCAA team, and although I had rigorous two-hour practices, I put on most of my weight my freshman year.

I was at a very low point at the time and suffered from issues with my body image, depression, and anxiety. Activities I'd once enjoyed, like exercise and sports, stopped being fun. I quit the basketball team.

Whenever I was sad about something, I would eat. But because of my weight gain, I had body-image problems that would make me sad, and I'd eat some more. I basically developed a terrible relationship with food.

I became more depressed after going through a breakup, and I developed the opposite problem: I stopped eating. With no appetite, I lost 30 pounds. I felt weak and looked emaciated.

BEFORE 156 LBS.Age: 19

Height: 5'2"

Weight: 156 lbs.

Body Fat: 28%

AFTER 111 LBS.

Age: 20

Height: 5'2"
Weight: 111 lbs.
Body Fat: 18%

WHAT FINALLY DROVE YOU TO MAKE A CHANGE?

I was tossing and turning because I couldn't sleep one night. I kept thinking about what I was doing to myself and how I was letting all the thoughts in my head control me. That's when I realized that enough was enough—I couldn't keep doing that to my body. I didn't like the fact that I had no energy during the day. I felt like a potato. The next morning, I said, "Today's the day."

The next morning, I went to the kitchen and threw away all my food. I went to the grocery store and started over—clean slate. I stayed away from the junk food aisles and shopped the meats and veggies on the perimeter. I knew that was where I needed to start. If I wanted to do anything without feeling lightheaded, I needed to get my nutrition in check.

WHEN DID YOU BEGIN WORKING FITNESS BACK INTO YOUR LIFE?

I started playing basketball again. I went to an open gym and played with a group of men there. That really pulled me out of my comfort zone and helped me build some confidence. Playing with all guys made me push myself.

Once I started working out again, I decided that I looked too skinny; I wanted to put on some muscle. I knew about Bodybuilding.com from when I had been an athlete, so that's where I started to look for workout plans. The first program I followed was Jamie Eason's LiveFit Trainer. She was one of the first bodybuilders I came across, and she was really pretty. I thought maybe I could look like that.

HOW DID HIRING A PERSONAL TRAINER HELP YOU BECOME MORE FIT?

I was coming to the end of Jamie's 12-week program and was looking for more fitness inspiration on Instagram. I came across my now-trainer's account. I asked her if she did personal training, and she said yes, so I started working with her on a plan customized for me. I told her about things I liked to do and what I felt needed the most work, and she was able to create a program for me. She also helped me lock down my nutrition.

My trainer helped me learn how to tailor my meal plan to my body. I had avoided carbs before, for example, but she showed me why carbs are an important part of my daily macros and told me which carbs to reintroduce back into my diet.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO ENTER A BODYBUILDING COMPETITION?

My sister surprised me by taking me to a fitness competition, and when I saw all the women up on stage, all I could think was that I belonged there. I fell in love with competing at first sight. I couldn't wait to start training and getting ready for my first competition.

My first competition was kind of a mess. My hair wasn't right, my tan was weird, and I was late—it was one thing after another. But it was a great experience for me because I learned from each and every one of those errors that I made. I know what to prepare for in my next competition.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY ABOUT COMPETING?

I loved being around other people who really understood what I had gone through to get to the stage, because they'd all done it too. It was such a supportive environment. I didn't know what to expect. My bikini ended up breaking backstage, and some of the girls helped me sew it back together. That left a huge impression on me. Competitors were nice and actually took care of each other. You only spend 10 seconds showing off on stage, but it's such a rush. As soon as I finished, I wanted to sign up for another competition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christina Marfice

Christina is a recovering news reporter and freelance writer based in Boise, Idaho.

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Walmart Online: Get $10 cash back when you upgrade to a new postpaid phone with AT&T or Verizon & More Deals Inside

Get $10 cash back when you upgrade to a new postpaid phone with ATandT or Verizon on Walmart.com

Shop new kid's fashion arrivals at Walmart.com

Calhoun Walmart Remodel Features Opening of New Walmart Health CenterCustomers now have more ways to save money and live healthier lives

CALHOUN, Ga., Jan. 29, 2020 — Families in the Calhoun, Ga., area can now experience a remodeled Walmart Supercenter that’s offering customers new ways to save money, while living better – and healthier – lives, through the opening of the second ever Walmart Health center. Located at 448 W. Belmont Dr., adjacent to the Supercenter, the community will celebrate the new addition during a grand opening Wednesday, Jan. 29.

This state-of-the-art facility provides quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for members of the Calhoun community so they can get the right care at the right time. Walmart Health is partnering with several on-the-ground health providers to be a first-of-its-kind health center to deliver primary and urgent care, labs, x-ray and diagnostics, counseling, dental, optical and hearing services all in one facility at affordable, transparent pricing regardless of a patient’s insurance status.

“We think we can make an impactful difference in affordability, convenience and, most importantly, accessibility for the Calhoun community,” said Sean Slovenski, SVP and President of Walmart U.S. Health and Wellness. “We have a history of launching innovative products and programs that have transformed the industry and created significant healthcare savings for customers. Now, we’re focused on a solution to provide affordable integrated care that our customers want and deserve.”

The Calhoun Walmart Health center is the second such location the retailer has opened. The first opened last September in Dallas, Ga. Walmart Health is operated by qualified medical professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, behavioral health providers and optometrists. Walmart Care Hosts and Community Health Workers onsite will help customers navigate their visit, understand resources and be a familiar presence for regular visits.

As part of the grand opening celebration, Walmart announced it will make a donation to Susan G. Komen to help meet women’s health needs through expanded access to care, including mammogram screenings, education and support services for underserved and at-risk patients in Georgia.

The Supercenter also has gone through a remodel, and customers can expect a whole new look and experience with the launch of new Vision Center and Pharmacy concepts that aim to drive an enhanced patient experience.

The new pharmacy is designed with the customer in mind, integrating feedback from thousands of customers to put convenience, simplicity and elevated service at the forefront in the redesigned space.

Walmart has created a Vision Center experience designed around the customer that is convenient, comfortable and affordable, featuring multiple service areas so customers can decide how and where they want to receive service.

“We are looking forward to re-introducing our store to the community with a fresh look,” said Michael Boling, Calhoun Walmart store manager. “Our store is committed to be a center of wellbeing in the community through our assortment of organic products and groceries and health and wellness offerings at everyday low prices, and we are excited Walmart Health just opened to offer healthcare services to our customers.”

About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Learn more............