ACL Injuries Up 400 Percent in Young Athletes!

Athletes, Warriors, and anyone who love them! We are in code red in incidence of injury in sport and life. ACL's (Anterior Cruciate Ligaments ) are getting huge publicity in part because of its commonality among professional athletes some of whom will suffer these injuries in front of a National TV audience. Watch this news report from Texas from 2015 that illustrates how severe this epidemic is and some of the ways that you can help prevent or reduce the chances of this kind of injury. -Nate How do you prepare your young athlete or seasoned vet to avoid ACL and other injuries? By engaging in a year round training program that helps him/her prepare for their sport. If a good strength coach or personal trainer is not feasible or affordable; train online with US Sports Online Strength and Conditioning.Saving money, time and possibly you or your child's knees, ankles, shoulders, etc.,Go to http://www.fitnessgenerator.com/ussportsradioand fill out the fitness profile form to get started. Once we have determined a course of action to include ACL injury prevention, then part of your year round program will include our ACL rehab strength and power program described below: Custom Strength and Power Programs These are a group of Custom Strength and Power Programs with some great additions and variations to the original Strength and Power Programs. The programs with the word "Olympic" in the title will have the Olympic lifts (power clean, snatch etc) added in. The programs with "Advanced" in the title will use something called "phase jumping". Phase jumping means it includes a set that calls for one rep at an intensity level that is 5-10% higher than the work sets. This set has been added at the end of the descending warmup for the "bigger" or primary strength exercises like squat, power clean, bench etc. The set combinations for these exercises appear rather long, but usually half of them are actually warmup based! These phase jumping sets allow the body to neurally adapt to the training poundages that will be experienced in the next phase of training in the workout. Included as one of these Custome Programs is an ACL "Functional" Rehab Programthat is designed to bring strength levels back up over a 12 week time period. This ACL Rehab Program should not be done unless full range of motion exists in the knee joint, and physician clearance has occurred. 4 Day Advanced ACL Rehab and Upper Body Click here, fill out the fitness profile form to view a sample workout of this program

How Tennis Players Can Stay Healthy

Tennis has never waned in popularity in over 100+ years. Why we would never have such entities as Tennis Elbow, Tennis Knee, Tennis Ankle, etc., if it were not for this dynamic sport. All kidding aside Tennis is a great sport. Be better trained for it and simply enjoy it that much more! -Nate How Tennis Players Can Stay Healthy by Joe Eagle Tennis players are very at risk to getting injured due to the high impact nature of the sport on the body. Professional tennis players are on their toes and bouncing up and down the entire time they are playing. They are often running from side to side or jumping or lunging to get shots which can be very taxing on the joints. Common injuries for tennis players include: shin splints, tennis elbow, sprained ankles, knee pain, hip pain and shoulder pain. Additionally torn rotator cuffs and sprained fingers and toes can often be injuries that you see in tennis players, Since the power a tennis player gets in their shots comes from their body weight being distributed through their swing of their racket, proper body positioning is critical both for accuracy and for power. When a player is flat footed or not willing to hustle to set themselves up for a shot they are mosre at risk for hitting the ball out or for hitting the ball back with little power or not in an optimal spot. Tennis players need to be able to be fast so being able to run quickly to get the ball and also have endurance for long matches and sets which are often played in the hot sun. Staying well hydrated and doing plenty of body conditioning stretches and exercises are critical to prevent injury on the tennis courts. Getting regular massages on their hands, wrists, arms and shoulders help to work out any muscle adhesions. Doing calisthenics, yoga or pilates are ideal for core strength as well as stretching so making sure that these exericses are a part of the players workout are crucial to overall health and wellness. Massage for tennis players or tennis massage therapy can help them stay in great shape. Before and during a tennis match, it is critical to stay well-hydrated since tennis players are often playing in the hot sun, and there is lots of running around the court. Sun stroke is something that tennis players often get if they do not drink plenty of water during and before their match. Avoid sugary drinks or coffee before or during a tennis match since they can actually dehydrate and denourish you. Before a tennis game, players should also avoid a heavy meal before a match. If they player is hungry they can have a light snack such as a piece of fruit or a granola bar, but they don't want to eat something loaded with carbs or sugar such as candy or pizza right before they go out and play. More Information: Joe is a licensed massage therapist, nationally certified and a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. He is also a certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. In order to provide the highest quality of bodywork services to his clients, Joe continues to enhance his bodywork skills and can be reached at http://stoppingthepain.com/golf-and-sports-massage/ Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article452831.html US Sports Online Strength and Conditioning's Tennis Program: Tennis The Tennis Programs are designed for the person who loves tennis! Whether the goal is simply to get in better shape and reduce injury risk, or to compete at a high level on the court, these programs will get results. All Tennis Programs take into account the specific movements and physical demands required in the game of tennis. In the constant quest to provide quality workouts there are always variations within each one of the major program goals. These variations are dependent upon how much equipment is available, and how aggressivly training will be. The "Gym Oriented Tennis Program" requires the use of a fully equipped gym but will help to achieve fitness goals more quickly and in many instances will give the the best performance increases in the game! The "Dumbbell Oriented Tennis Program" can be done just about anywhere! It is an excellent program for those who want quality physical development and wish to train in the privacy of the home. Training with dumbbells requires more balance and control to perform the required exercises. It also enhances functional strength development for injury prevention. The "Competitive Tennis Program" was designed with the serious athlete in mind! This workout includes full body Olympic training along with more advanced plyometric exercises for explosive power. This program requires the use of a fully equipped facility. Click here and fill out the fitness profile form to get started Athlete/Coach Resources... Get Paid To Play Live Online Sports Games Free! The Fat Burning Workout! Burn The Fat and Build Muscle. The Workout Program Everyone Is Talking About. Athletes! Improve Your Strength, Speed, Agility, and Reaction With The #1 Online Strength Coach Do you care about your BRAIN? EHT Supplement for the Brain, Discovered and Patented at Princeton University Endorsed By Professional Athletes! The World's Best High School, College, and Pro Athlete's Highlight Reels and Training Videos. The 91 Exercises Every Athlete Should Know! Add 10 Inches Or More To Your Vertical Leap-The Jump Manual StrengthCoach.com BodyByBoyle OnlineShapeShifter Yoga Discount Sports Supplements US Sports Recruiting Assistance. Athletes! All Registered Athletes Will Have Their Huddl Or other Highlight Video Reel Priority Posted on Our Athlete Highlight Video Reel Center! 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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)

You love to jog/run as you find it a fun activity, great for your heart and lungs, and if done right can be a good way to get leaner and even help in your overall strength. You might be concerned about over doing it. How would you know? One oft he symptoms is a condition called "runner's knee" as explained in detail below.
Nate

-Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)
What is patellofemoral pain syndrome? Patellofemoral pain syndrome is pain behind the kneecap. It has been given many names, including patellofemoral disorder, patellar malalignment, runner's knee, and chondromalacia. How does it occur? Patellofemoral pain syndrome can occur from overuse of the knee in sports and activities such as running, walking, jumping, or bicycling. The kneecap (patella) is attached to the large group of muscles in the thigh called the quadriceps. It is also attached to the shin bone by the patellar tendon. The kneecap fits into grooves in the end of the thigh bone (femur) called the femoral condyle. With repeated bending and straightening of the knee, you can irritate the inside surface of the kneecap and cause pain. Patellofemoral pain syndrome also may result from the way your hips, legs, knees, or feet are aligned. This alignment problem can be caused by your having wide hips or under developed thigh muscles, being knock-kneed, or having feet with arches that collapse when walking or running (a condition called over-pronation). What are the symptoms? The main symptom is pain behind the kneecap. You may have pain when you walk, run, or sit for a long time. The pain is generally worse when walking downhill or down stairs. Your knee may swell at times. You may feel or hear snapping, popping, or grinding in the knee. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will review your symptoms, examine your knee, and may order knee x-rays. How is it treated? Treatment includes the following:

• Place an ice pack on your knee for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for the first 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes away
• Elevate your knee by placing a pillow underneath your leg when your knee hurts.
• Take anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, as prescribed by your doctor.
• Do the exercises recommended by your doctor or physical therapist.
Your doctor may recommend that you:
• Wear custom-made arch supports (orthotics) for over- pronation.
• Use a knee sleeve, usually made out of a neoprene material.

While you are recovering from your injury, you will need to change your sport or activity to one that does not make your condition worse. For example, you may need to bicycle or swim instead of run. In cases of severe patellofemoral pain syndrome, surgery may be recommended. Your doctor will show you exercises to help decrease the pain behind your kneecap. When can I return to my sport or activity? The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your sport or activity will be determined by how soon your knee recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since you were injured. You may safely return to your sport or activity when, starting from the top of the list and progressing to the end, each of the following is true:

• Your injured knee can be fully straightened and bent without pain.
• Your knee and leg have regained normal strength compared to the uninjured knee and leg.
• You are able to jog straight ahead without limping.
• You are able to sprint straight ahead without limping.
• You are able to do 45-degree cuts.
• You are able to do 90-degree cuts.
• You are able to do 20-yard figure-of-eight runs.
• You are able to do 10-yard figure-of-eight runs.
• You are able to jump on both legs without pain and jump on the injured leg without pain.

How can I prevent patellofemoral pain syndrome? Patellofemoral pain syndrome can best be prevented by strengthening your thigh muscles, particularly the inside part of this muscle group. It is also important to wear shoes that fit well and that have good arch supports. Developed with and licensed from Clinical Reference Systems, Ltd.
Copyright Clinical Reference Systems 

Ways to Protect Female Athlete's Knees

Although there are certain considerations that must be accounted for in Female athlete and fitness Warrior programs, the basic protocols of injury prevention are the same. At US Sports Strength and Conditioning, we take a 9 month approach to long term injury prevention for a female athlete it would look like this:

Women's Fitness

The Women's Fitness Programs are designed to bring about a toning and shaping effect to the body by using lighter weights and higher repetitions. There is also a greater emphasis on the parts of the body that many females want to work on: hips, legs, buttocks, back of the arms etc.

One of the fundamentals in weight training is to not train the same bodypart on consecutive days. So, for these 3 Day Programs, take a day off in between each training session. However, the Consecutive Training Day Programs allow for grouping 3 training days any way one likes, depending on schedule.

The starting point of the workout is based on an initial fitness level. With feedback, the actual progression of the program will follow the body's unique adaptation process to exercise.

Fine tune the program to include all the exercises that feel best! To maximize the reduction of body fat, it is recommended to involve some cardiovascular exercise in the weekly exercise routine. Just choose one of the programs that has the cardio built right in. Have fun and get into the shape of your life!

This first training cycle (above) would prepare her to train for her sport of choice:

Sports Specific Workouts The Sports Specific Programs are designed to give people an exercise program tailored to the demands of their chosen sporting activities. All sports, from Golf to Football, have specific movements and physical demands that can be improved with proper training. The knowledge and experience that goes into each of these sports specific programs is what makes them so effective. The most important attribute of any quality training program is injury prevention. Knowing how to start a program is the first step. These Sports Specific Programs provide injury prevention by first establishing a strength and conditioning base. The sets, repetitions, exercise prescription, and actual weight of the programs are based off an initial fitness level and specific strength to bodyweight ratio's. With simple feedback, the progression of the program will follow the body’s unique adaptation process to exercise. Whether the goal is performance enhancement or simply the enjoyment of participation in a favorite activity, these Sports Specific Programs can and will provide great results!

Then during her season she would keep her joints and muscles strong, and even get stronger as the season went along by doing one of our Strength and Power Programs:

Strength and Power Workouts

The Strength and Power Programs were designed to maximize the body's ability to generate strength. There will also be a certain amount of muscle mass developed through the stimulus of using progressively heavier weights!

Throughout the length of the Strength and Power programs, the manipulation of the sets and repetitions for each exercise will be based on periodization concepts that involve changing the intensity and the volume of the workout.

The Strength and Power EXPRESS Programs are for those people short on time that still want a very effective workout. An EXPRESS Program will give you most of the benefits of the regular programs, but will take less time each day to complete. It will not change the primary emphasis of the program, it simply reduces the number of assistance exercises for the calves, forearms and neck muscle groups.

The Strength and Power ADVANCED Programs will really push you physically. Make sure to pay high attention to recovery processes such as eating quality foods and keeping the body properly hydrated. Sleeping at least 8 hours per night is also key. And, stretching or massage both before and after the workout is also vital. This will help to stimulate passive blood flow to the muscles aiding the removal of metabolic waste products. Crank it up!

And now the science behind the US Sports Strength and Conditioning Programs

Ways to Protect Women's Knees

WASHINGTON (AP) - It took just one wrong jump, and women's basketball star Rebecca Lobo was on the floor in agony, yet another victim of a torn knee ligament called the ACL.
The very day Lobo was writhing in pain last week, doctors were meeting to figure out how to battle a growing problem: Women are far more susceptible to this debilitating knee injury than men. It's not just a risk for professional female athletes, but for high school and college teams, and even women who like a little weekend skiing, soccer or hoops.
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are notorious because they're so painful and can require months of treatment and rehabilitation. But they also can predispose people to serious knee arthritis later in life, said Dr. Joan McGowan of the National Institutes of Health. The good news: There are some ways women can protect their knees, lowering the risk of injury by strengthening their hamstrings and learning to crouch properly while jumping, concluded a consensus conference sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Athletes> The Fat Burning Workout> Police, Fire, Military > Warriors > The SKLZ Workout Of The Week
Now doctors' quest is to alert women. "These injuries affect young people, and can affect the rest of their lives," said Dr. Letha Griffin, team physician at Georgia State University, who organized the meeting. "We really need to ... help the public know that there are injury prevention techniques." Her message: "If I'm doing jumping, pivoting, cutting sports, I really need to look into some of these prevention techniques."
Inside the knee, two ligaments pass each other in the shape of a cross, connecting the upper and lower leg bones. The anterior cruciate ligament is the one in front, and it's important in pivoting. Many sports fans connect ACL injuries to football's crunching hits. But experts say most ACL tears actually are noncontact injuries - and studies show women suffer from them about five times more than men.
ACL injuries are particularly common with lots of jumping, quick deceleration and pivoting, like in basketball, soccer and skiing. But recreational athletes who run, take boxing classes, even do step aerobics can suffer, too, said McGowan. Scientists are studying everything from hormones to anatomy to explain the gender discrepancy. But neuromuscular factors seem to play the biggest role, and that's where women can lower the risk, Griffin said.
Hamstrings, muscles behind the thigh, relieve stress on the ACL when the knee bends. If your hamstrings are too weak, they may not protect the ACL. Men's hamstrings typically are 60 to 70 percent as strong as their quadriceps, muscles in front of the thigh. Women athletes may have strong quads, but they typically have significantly weaker hamstrings, said Dr. Thomas Lindenfeld of the Cincinnati Sportsmedicine Research and Education Foundation. So as they jump and pivot, the hamstrings don't do their job and the ACL tears. In addition, women jump and land differently than men - more straight-legged and flat-footed. Men bend their knees more as they jump and land, a built-in shock absorption.
The Cincinnati foundation created a program called Sportsmetrics to strengthen hamstrings and train female athletes to jump with their knees properly bent and body correctly aligned so they don't land off-balance. In a study of 1,200 high school athletes, the six-week program lowered girls' injury risk to equal boys' risk, Lindenfeld said. The foundation now sells a video that demonstrates the program, and dozens of high school and college teams already are adopting the techniques.
Also, many ski shops carry pamphlets describing Vermont research on avoiding ACL injuries. Scientists videotaped ski accidents to show positions where skiers got so off-balance that the stress tore an ACL. Teaching skiers about those risky positions and how to regain balance on the slopes can reduce injuries, Griffin said. This focus on injuries shouldn't scare off women - exercise is key to good health and American women don't exercise enough, stressed McGowan, who led a related NIH meeting last week on women and sports.
But learning to prevent injuries in professional athletes could translate to a more fit general population, she said. It's important to know "this is the kind of thing amenable to training."
Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Personal Trainers: Train More Clients, Make More, Have More Freedom

Great coach, really becomes your friend and knows how to motivate you. He loves his job, there is nothing better than working with someone that loves their job and wants to better his athletes and themselves every time. I would definetaly recommend Nate to every athlete that is serious about their sport and wants to succeed. Learned something from Nate: success will always come, you just have to keep working.

Diego O.

Working Out After Surgery

Depending on the surgery, there should always be some consideration for a rehab program. -Nate

How Long Should You Wait?

(Prevention,)

QUESTION: I usually do a combination weight training and cardio workout every other day. But I just had surgery to remove my appendix. How soon can I go back to working out, and what should I do to get back up to speed?

ANSWER: Your doctor is the best person to advise you on when it is safe to resume exercising. Every body and every surgery is different so there isn't one simple answer. But once you get your doctor's OK to start working out, ease back into it to avoid soreness or injury.

As a general rule, the amount of time you missed exercising should equal the amount of time you give yourself to return to your previous level. For example, say you were cycling 15 miles in an hour before you were laid up with an injury for four weeks. Your first week back do only 10 or 15 minutes at a slower than normal pace. The next week increase your time to 30 minutes, and then 45 minutes the following week. By the fourth week, you should be able to put in an hour, but don't push your pace. The following week you should be back up to speed.

Most importantly, listen to your body. If you're feeling tired, back off a bit. If you experience any pain or problems, see your doctor. Don't worry. Your desire to get back on track is a good sign that you'll be back to your usual routine before you know it.

The Fat Burning Workout

Attention Athletes

Military, Police, Fire,

Does that hurt? Exercise injuries...

-Nate Lewis US Sports Strength and Conditioning

Can you relate to this scenario? After putting it off for too long, you commit to get fit—only to find yourself injured the minute you start working out. 

All of the sudden your fitness goals go back on the shelf and you are left to deal with the pain.

Whether your injury occurs right off the bat or after years of regular workouts the result is always the same. It is discouraging, painful and downright depressing.

And since studies suggest that up to 38% of all exercisers suffer from an injury each year, it is a subject worth exploring.

Top 3 Workout Injuries
The following three ailments occur commonly among active people. Let's explore the cause of each and then detail your very own injury prevention plan—because let's face it, you simply don't have time to spend nursing and injury (and losing all that progress you had made).

1. Strain / Pulled Muscle: occurs when a tendon (connects muscle to bone) or muscle is stretched or torn. If you suffer from a strain you will feel pain and swelling in the muscle belly, or loss of function if the strain occurred in a tendon. Many strains occur as the result of an improper warm-up and insufficient stretching.

2. Sprain: occurs when a ligament (connects bone to bone) is stretched or torn. While this can happen to any ligament in your body, the most common placements of sprains are in the ankle, wrist and knee. Often this injury will happen suddenly as the ligament is stretched beyond its normal limit, usually during a fall or other acute trauma.

3. Low Back Pain: it is said that 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives—and the list of causes is as diverse as the sufferers themselves. Here are the main reasons for workout related back pain:

• Improper form: Similar to bad posture, using improper form while performing weight bearing exercises will leave your back sore and aching. The good news is that once your form is corrected this pain should subside after a healing period.
• Weak muscles: If you have a desk job then chances are your deep back muscles are inactive and unconditioned. When you start an exercise program, but fail to properly strengthen these muscles, the result is often an aching back.
• Strained muscles: Not to pick on that desk job, but another result of sitting all day is tight back muscles. When these muscles are not properly warmed up and stretched before exercise begins, muscle strains occur.

Your 5-Step Injury Prevention Plan
Injuries don't have to slow you from meeting your fitness goals. The following 5 steps will dramatically reduce your chance of injury and if you do find yourself injured, but have been following these 5 steps, your recovery will be quick and efficient.

Step 1: Stretch
What is more boring than stretching? You want to exercise, not sit around touching your toes—right? Even though it isn't exciting, stretching is the best way to increase muscle elasticity and durability. Tight muscles are big contributors to strains—remember? Take the time to stretch everyday before and after your workout to stave off injury.

Step 2: Warm Up
Preparing for your workout should not begin and end with putting on your gym clothes. Your muscles need to be coaxed into motion by way of a 10-15 minute warm up in order to prepare them for injury-free use. Cold muscles are less elastic and are therefore more prone to tears.

Step 3: Proper Gear
For most fitness enthusiasts proper gear has everything to do with their shoes. Don't be fooled—not just any shoe will do. Find shoes that offer support and traction for your exercise of choice, and make sure that they aren't too tight or too loose. If you are prone to ankle injuries then try a pair of high-tops for extra support.

Step 4: Lifestyle
Stop for a moment and think about your car—if you don't maintain it with regular tune ups, oil changes and quality fuel then you can't expect it to perform well on the road. The same applies to your body. Getting healthy amounts of sleep, eating well balanced meals and staying hydrated will all contribute to your performance during exercise. The healthier your lifestyle is the less likely you are to suffer an injury.

Step 5: Condition
This may seem like the most obvious step to injury prevention, but unfortunately it is the most overlooked. People who keep their bodies in top condition by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the least likely to injure themselves. When exercise programs are started and stopped sporadically your muscles are most likely to become injured.

Of course being conditioned also has another great benefit that everyone enjoys - you get to look and feel great! And who doesn't what that, right?

The ultimate injury prevention plan is to work with me, your qualified fitness expert! Together we will explore proper technique and will craft a plan for your unique fitness goals.

Wouldn't you love to see awesome results before this summer comes to an end? Simply reply to this email, call me today, or click here, to get started. It's time to take action and get the results that you deserve!

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Spinach & Egg White Wrap

This wrap is delicious for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It's ready in a flash, tastes amazing, and is filled with lean protein, veggies and whole sprouted grains. Try it today, but don't be surprised if you get hooked! Servings: 2 

Here's what you need:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup tomato, finely chopped
• 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup egg whites
• dash of salt and pepper
• 2 sprouted grain tortillas
• 2 Tablespoons pesto (purchase it pre-made, or combine 1/2 cup walnuts, 2 cups basil leaves, 2 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice in a food processor and blend until it becomes a paste.)

1. Spread a tablespoon of pesto over each tortilla and set aside.
2. In medium sized skillet warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until golden. Add the tomato and cook for another 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until it is soft and wilted. Remove the veggies from skillet, set aside in a bowl.
3. Pour the egg whites into the skillet, season with salt and pepper. Cook until the egg is no longer runny.
4. Arrange half of the egg whites in a line down the center of each tortilla. Top with half of the veggies and then fold the ends up and wrap like a burrito.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 288 calories, 10g fat, 28g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, and 21g protein.

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