Golf trolleys improve your game and health

Golf Trolleys Improve Your Game and Health

Golf caddies are wonderful people; not only do they offer advice and support, they also carry your clubs around for you – which is otherwise one of the least enjoyable elements of the game. Of course, not many of us can afford our own caddie, which is where Golf trolleys come into the equation. Although they can’t advise you on the most appropriate club for a tricky approach, they can handle the most gruelling part of a caddie’s job – shifting the clubs around the course.

A golf bag filled with clubs and balls is a heavy enough weight to haul out of the car, let along to drag around an entire golf course! While this may be a challenge to teenaged players, still eager to prove themselves in every element of the game, more mature golfers understand the need to conserve energy in order to play to their best. Arriving at a tee out of breath and sporting an ache in your back and shoulders is about the worst possible way of playing the game, yet this is the reality of hefting a set of clubs around on your back every time you play a round.

Golf carts not only make transporting clubs a breeze, they also raise the entire bag off the ground, meaning there’s less bending and straightening involved in selecting clubs. Although this may seem a minor point, a typical par-72 course will involve at least that many club selections, which is a major cause of back problems in the golfing population. When you consider the amount of time and money people put into choosing and buying the right clubs, training for the right technique and practising for the right approach to the course, it seems senseless to risk back injuries, reduced concentration and lower energy levels by carrying clubs around instead of making use of a golf trolley!

Of course, some golf trolleys don’t even need to be pushed around the course! Electric golf trolleys let you drive your clubs around the course by remote or manual controls, taking all the strain out of transporting your clubs and letting you focus on playing well. Hazlemere Golf Club’s ninth hole – the appropriately named ‘Cardiac Hill’ – is all the evidence a player could need for the value of an electric golf trolley. That said, do make sure you invest in a trolley with enough power to get up hills like these; it would be a nasty shock to find your trolley tumbling back down the hill!

When investing in an electric golf trolley, do also be sure to buy for durability rather than style, as they take more of a battering than you might realise. It’s also very sensible to invest in as large a battery as you can afford, since their charge dissipates over time and a battery that could once cover a full eighteen holes will eventually start giving up before you do. A final piece of advice, no matter what type of trolley you are buying, is to ensure you get a warranty, or some kind of post-sale support to ensure your trolley can be repaired when it gets damaged.

Unless you’re in it purely for the fitness, there is no sense in playing golf without some kind of golf trolley or caddie. For most of us, for whom golf caddies are a tad expensive, this makes golf trolleys a vital part of the game – something without which your game and body will only suffer.

Achilles tendon injury

Achilles Tendon Injury

In an adult population, ruptures of the Achilles tendon can be a common injury of the foot and ankle. While they can be seen in almost all level of competitive athletes, they have been historically linked with the “weekend warrior” athlete who may be somewhat de-conditioned but exerts themselves in brief periods of time in sporting activities. Recognition and treatment of an Achilles tendon injury is very important, as neglected or unrecognized ruptures can cause many future problems with both daily activities and sports competition.

What is the anatomy and function of the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles tendon connects the muscles of the calf and to the heelbone. The tendon is large and must be able to withstand and transmit the large forces generated by these powerful muscles to move the foot. These forces can be many times our own body weight. The tendon is particular active with pushing down (plantar flexion) of the foot, and is therefore critical to perform in all sports, especially those in which jumping is critical. Correspondingly, sports such as basketball, track and field, and volleyball place high stresses on the Achilles tendon with jumping and landing, and are likely the highest risk for tendon injury. However, ruptures have been reported with virtually every sport.

What is an Achilles tendon rupture?

An achilles tendon rupture is a disruption in the integrity of the tendon somewhere between the muscle bellies and the heel bone (calcaneus). Most commonly, tears occur at the muscle-tendon junction 2 to 4 centimeters above the insertion into bone, but they can occur as avulsions directly from the calcaneus.

Tears can result from trauma or transection injuries which extend through the skin and underlying tendon. More commonly however, athletes suffer these injuries during sporting activities. Up to one-third of the athletes who suffer a rupture complained of some injury or symptoms in the tendon in the preceding weeks, suggesting that a preceding event may place the Achillies tendon at-risk for rupture. Chronic inflammation or irritation of the tendon for repetitive activities (“Achilles tendinitis”) can also weaken the tendon and render it vulnerable to rupture as well.

What places me at higher risk for an Achilles tendon rupture as an athlete?

Virtually anyone can suffer a rupture of the Achilles tendon, but certain pre-existing factors can place an athlete at greater risk and should be considered. These include:

• De-conditioning with weakness of the calf muscles, a common problem in “weekend” athletes who have not been training.
• Injections of steroid in or around the Achilles tendon – these can weaken the tendon and increase the risk of rupture with provocative activities, and should generally be avoided.
• Pre-existing Achilles tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon) with secondary degeneration and weakening of the tendon over time.
• Certain antibiotics (fluoroquinolones – Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin, etc) can place tendon at higher risk of injury
• Gout
• Hyper-parathyroidism
• Diabetes

How does an Achilles tendon rupture occur in athletes?

Most of the time, athletes will suffer an Achilles tendon rupture when a significant force is placed on the leg with the knee extended and foot pulled up (dorsi-flexed). This usually happens when awkwardly landing from a jump, and stresses the tendon when it is maximally stretched. This is a common occurrence and the basketball court.

Although Achilles tendon ruptures have been classically associated with the “weekend” athlete that is over the age of 30, they are certainly not restricted to them. Professional, well-conditioned athletes have suffered from them as well. These include NFL players Vinny Testaverde and Takeo Spikes, tennis champion Boris Becker, and many all-star NBA players, including Dominique Wilkins, Elton Brand, and Christian Laettner (Pictures).

What are the symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture in athletes?

The symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture are generally not subtle. The athlete will usually complain about a “popping” that could be heard and felt when jumping or landing on the court or field. Up to one-third of the time, the athlete will have complained of some pain or symptoms in the Achilles in the prior weeks – it is thought that this inciting event may render it vulnerable to injury. The athlete will immediately complain of weakness with pushing off on the foot (plantar-flexion), reflected in difficulty walking and an inability to jump with the involved leg. Often there is a palpable defect at the location of rupture just above the heel bone, with loss of integrity of the “taut band” just deep to the skin. Examination of the opposite, normal side will help to detect these differences.

What are my treatment options for an Achilles rupture as an athlete?

Treatment options for an Achilles tendon rupture are quite simple: operative or nonoperative. Some prompt treatment is important, however, as an Achilles tendon rupture will seldom heal on their own. With rupture, the muscle belly and tendon retract proximally into the calf and leave a large “gap” defect that cannot heal. Furthermore, waiting for a long time before seeking medical attention (“chronic” rupture) or failing to recognize the injury can compromise treatment options – the tendon becomes stiff and scarred and sometimes cannot be repaired primarily (“end-to-end”).

Nonsurgical options offer the advantage of avoiding the complications of surgery. Typically, the foot is kept in a down position (plantar-flexed) to approximate the ruptured tendon ends as close as possible, and immobilized in a cast or rigid boot until healing occurs. The major limitation of nonoperative treatment, however, remains the risk of incomplete or no healing, and is a significant concern when there is significant tendon retraction. Correspondingly, the risk of recurrent rupture is higher with nonoperative treatment. This option is generally NOT pursued by athletes, given their desire to return to sporting and at-risk activities, and to therefore have the strongest repair possible.

Achilles tendon surgery offers the benefits of an immediate and secure “end-to-end” repair of the ruptured tendon. This allows for a predictable course of recovery and decreased risk of repeat rupture. The main risk of Achilles tendon surgery, however, relates to the surgical wound and healing. The Achilles tendon is directly beneath the skin, and the skin flaps for a repair can have a tenuous blood supply that can place healing of the both the skin and tendon at-risk. For this reason, meticulous handling of the skin and surrounding tendon sheath (“paratenon”) with a surgical repair is of critical importance.

What does Achilles tendon surgery involve?

Surgical repair is typically the treatment of choice for athletes. Surgical repair usually allows for:

• A more predictable postoperative course of healing
• Secure “end-to-end” repair of the tendon
• Earlier return to sports
• Lower risk of recurrent tendon rupture
• Earlier and more predictable return of muscle power

Both percutaneous and open repair techniques to repair the tendon have been described. The motivation for percutaneous techniques has been to avoid the surgical wound and associated risks of wound infection or dehiscence at this location just above the heel bone. The blood supply of the skin in this location is tenuous, and can be at risk for sloughing if not carefully handled during open Achilles tendon surgery. While percutaneous techniques may protect the skin, they can place the adjacent nerves and vessels at greater risk of injury. The sural nerve is particularly at risk as it lies just lateral the Achilles tendon.

Open surgery is typically perform
ed by making an incision just medial to the tendon. A medial incision avoids risk to the sural nerve and protects it from the risk of abrasion immediately on the back side of the Achilles tendon. The skin flaps are handled very gently to avoid trauma and injury to its blood supply. The enveloping sheath of the Achilles tendon (paratenon) is identified below and incised longitudinally over the tendon defect. The paratenon is also carefully handled and preserved so that it can be closed after tendon repair – this sheath nourishes the healing tendon and provides a protective layer between the tendon and overlying skin. A collection of blood (hematoma) from the trauma is typically encountered and irrigated away to visualize the ends of the ruptured tendon. The proximal end can sometimes “re-coil” deep into the calf and may need to retrieved into the wound. Any scar and adhesions of the ruptured tendon ends should be broken to allow full mobilization and “end-to-end” approximation of the tendon under minimal tension. Grasping sutures are then placed into both tendon ends and tied together to approximate the tendon to re-create its native, resting length. While various techniques and suture configuration have been described, the ultimate common goal is to resist gap formation and confer sufficient strength to the repair until interval healing of tendon occurs.

Repairs of chronic or neglected ruptures is more difficult. In certain cases, the tendon stumps can be so retracted, stiff, and scarred that they cannot be brought “end-to-end” for a primary repair. In these circumstances, augmentation with other tissue or tendon transfer from another muscle may be required and is usually associated with a less optimal result.

What is involved in postoperative rehabilitation?

A plaster splint is typically used to protect the wound for the first one to two postoperative weeks. After satisfactory wound healing is confirmed, the athlete is transitioned to a short leg cast or protective boot and protected weightbearing with crutches is allowed for the next 6 to 8 weeks. No active plantar flexion and passive stretching of the Achilles tendon repair is encouraged during this time. Roll-A-bouts can be useful during this period to improve mobility and completely protect the healing tendon from weight bearing. At approximately 6 weeks, gentle active plantar flexion and tendon stretching is initiated. Isotonic dorsiflexion and full weightbearing in the protective boot are gradually allowed as well. By 3 months, muscle strengthening and propioceptive training are initiated. These exercises can include:

• Isotonic plantar and dorsi-flexion exercises
• Isokinetics
• Balance Board and Perturbation Training
• Stairmaster or Versiclimber

Be sure to take a look at this Balance Exercise Video as well.

A Strong Lower Body with Balance Exercises.

How long will it take for me to get back to my sport?

Return to sport is highly variable, and depends upon the type and severity of injury, associated comorbidities, strength and rehabilitation, as well as treatment pursued. In general, healthy athletes who choose nonoperative treatment cannot expect a full return to sports for one year. On the other hand, an uncomplicated surgical repair in a healthy athlete often permits return to sport at 6 to 9 months.

Can I prevent an Achilles tendon rupture?

Unfortunately, it is hard to anticipate and therefore “prevent” an Achilles tendon rupture. However, there has been some evidence to support that de-conditioning, loss of propioception, and weakness of the calf musculature may increase the vulnerability to injury during exertion in sports. For this reason, staying well-conditioned and balanced with a steady training program is the most effective way to minimize the risk of an Achilles rupture. Nonetheless, even an athlete in “tip-top” condition can suffer an unfortunate, high-load injury! Daily exercises to consider include:

It is also advisable to avoid fluoroquinolone antibiotics which can predispose to risk of tendon injury with provocative activities.

For more information on “sports injuries” visit SportsMD Media Inc. SportsMD is the most trusted resource for sports health and fitness information for people engaged in sports everywhere. We have assembled the sports industry’s leading Doctors and health experts – each sharing valuable, practical advice to keep you playing injury-free.

References:

Inglis A, Scott W, Sculco T, Patterson A. Ruptures of the tendoachilles. An objective assessment of surgical and non-surgical treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1976 Oct; 58(7): 990-3.

Nistor L. Conservative treatment of fresh subcutaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon. Acta Orthop Scand. 1976 Aug;47(4):459-62.

Nistor L. Surgical and non-surgical treatment of Achilles Tendon rupture. A prospective randomized study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1981 Mar;63(3):394-9.

Breast fed cyclists – are they quicker

Breast Fed Cyclists – are they quicker ?

Those of you who have had children might recognise the word ‘Colostrum’ and if the baby stage of your parenting is not so long ago, you might also recall that is was somehow involved in a debate about the benefits of breast-feeding versus bottle-feeding.

An unlikely link

However, you might not expect to find Colostrum and Cycling mentioned in the same sentence !

Just to recap: Colostrum is the very first milk produced by mothers in the first few months of after birth and is is rich in antibodies and other nutritional food which is beneficial to a new-born baby. The debate about breast-feeding centred around the point that many mothers find bottle-feeding more convenient, but that it might not give babies as good a start in life as breast-feeding, which initially includes the Colostrum.

What’s it got to do with Cycling ?

Anyway, back to cycling. It turns out that Colostrum has been identified as a potential nutritional aid for cyclists. There are several reasons for this.

Potential Benefits

Firstly, it has natural anabolic properties which may give signals to the body to repair and grow muscles, without the risk of upsetting hormone balance. These are basically working in the same way as for infants and obviously don’t carry the potential risks of artificially produced steroids.

Secondly, Colostrum contains a mix of carbohydrates and protein including particular amino-acids which make it a good energy supply for muscle being built or in recovery.

Then there is the fact that the antibodies present naturally attack bacteria, viruses and yeasts and may therefore help in protecting against flu or colds by giving the immune system a boost. For competitive cyclists where fitness is a continuous process, that is very important. Also present are anti-inflammatory components including some which may aid digestion.

All in all, a package of properties that may help cyclists in a variety of ways in trying to increase performance and recovery.

How do you get it ?

By now you might be wondering where on earth a supply of Colostrum is going to come from if you wanted some; but don’t let your imagination get carried away ! It turns out that it is being extracted commercially from calves milk thats produced by the mother in the first 48-72 hours of birth.

So it doesn’t involve any weird behaviour like that in the Little Britain sketch ! (Try ‘Little Britain bitty’ on YouTube if you’ve never seen it – not to everyone’s taste though).

Who uses it ?

Colostrum already has a following in sport and cycling and some top riders already use it. Its available from several suppliers, such as Maximuscle and Science in Sport including a low lactose version. Recommendations are to take it daily, although this can be costly and has not yet been backed up by conclusive proof that it works.

Some cyclists swear by it, but its early days to expect any definitive research results.

However, users may well take the view that if they are going to consume a recovery drink, they may as well choose one that is natural and has additional benefits on top of just pure energy and protein content.

The right work out equipment for your home gym

The Right Work Out Equipment For Your Home Gym

The hectic modern lifestyle has increased the need for work out equipment as lots of changes has taken place in our daily routine. Few years back life was a mixture of physical and mental activities but today advanced technology has increased stress, tension, and decreased physical activity. Therefore, to keep the body fit and healthy regular exercise has become an utmost necessity.

Thus, observation shows that most of the people adopt different types of exercises and workouts to keep themselves and their family members fit and healthy. Nevertheless, people have realized that having a home gym is more economical than being a member of the public gym. If you have taken the decision of putting up a home gym then you will require work out equipment as one machine is not enough for exercising all the muscles in the body.

However, it is not possible to ignore the importance of the different types of exercise machines. Thus, a personal gym is incomplete without an exercise machine as it helps you in regularizing your outdoor exercises like walking, jogging, running or sprinting. Moreover, these exercise machines have other facilities, which you cannot get if you go outdoors for your daily workouts.

If you search the market or browse on the net, you will find exercise machines of different shapes and sizes manufactured for accomplishing different types of exercises needed for the body. However, the price range of the latest models is quite high, but it should not disappoint you, as you will get other options where you can purchase the machine within your budget.

You can easily choose a treadmill at half the price of a new one if you choose from the stock of refurbished treadmills available in the market. This will help you to get the best deal as you will get a new exercise machine without paying the original price fixed for the latest machine introduced in the market by the manufacturers.

However, before buying any model of refurbished treadmills you should collect all the information about these types of items, which will help you to know about the pros and cons of renovated items. Along with that, you will also be able to equip yourself with the knowledge about the best companies in this field and the reputed company dealers who sell these products.

Although, all these information is available on the net then too let us give you a brief idea about the difference between new and refurbished treadmills. In reality, refurbished means repaired or renovated item that the company sells in the market at low rates. This often happens when a person buys a new item and detects some fault in it. He returns the item in exchange for another one. The item goes back to the company who rectifies the fault and resells the item in the market.

Therefore, investing a small amount in purchasing the exercise machine and building your personal gym at home will not only ensure fitness and health for your entire family but also help you to save money that you spend on medical bills and public gym. However, your personal gym will remain incomplete if you do not add work out equipment along with the exercise machine in your gym.

Trampoline care

Trampoline Care

Trampolines are an endless source of family fun, fitness and entertainment. Once installed this is often the end of any structural care your trampoline may receive until it has deteriorated to the point of no return. However, this does not have to be the case, you can extend the life of your trampoline with a few easy measures.

Move often
It is a good idea to rotate your trampoline every couple of months at least 45° clockwise.
Although your trampoline area may seem flat, some uneven levels may not be noticed. These areas can create increased pressure in certain positions of the support system which can result in increased wear and tear on your trampoline. This can decrease the life expectancy of your backyard investment.

Tighten All Attachments
The jumping action over time, can cause bolts to work their way loose if this occurs unnoticed it can affect the safety and function of your trampoline, as well as potentially voiding your warranty . Every couple of months simply perform an inspection of all the bolts in both the frame and safety enclosure and tighten up any which have begun to move. Some may become more lose than others, pay particular attention to those each inspection.

Spring Replacement
Your trampoline is designed to be used with all its springs all the time. If you are missing any replace them immediately so that the jump that can operate effectively and you don’t risk injury by the user.

Seeing Is Believing
Before every use, always check for any cuts holes or tears in the jump mat and enclosure. The smallest hole can become a giant tear is not repaired in the early stages of its disrepair. You can perform small repairs to the safety enclosure yourself with heavy duty string, cable ties or a needle and a thick thread if necessary. While this may only act as a short-term solution, it serves to extend the life and safety of your trampoline until you can have it professionally repaired.

Cleaning Your Mat
Bats, birds, feet, dirty clothes, can and will soil your jump mat over time. The easiest way and safest way to clean your mat is to use warm soapy water as soon as possible.
Do not use harsh chemicals as this can dissolve the mat and it may become weaker.
Avoid eating or drinking on the trampoline as some foods can be quite corrosive.
When cleaning allow to dry before jumping because a wet mat very slippery and obviously very dangerous.

Entrance Zip
The entrance to your trampoline via the safety net usually has a zipper. It’s important to keep this clean and working well.
If in the event that the zipper is not functioning it is advised to fix as soon as possible. Having an entrance that won’t close defeats the purpose of the entire safety enclosure.
Applying a small amount of water displacement spray on the zip can act like a lubricant and help the zip run freely and effectively.