Youth soccer is one of America’s most popular team sport, with millions of kids in the U.S. participating in soccer programs each year. While soccer is considered far safer than contact sports like football, injuries on the soccer field still number more than 100,000 each year and account for 75,000 emergency room visits annually. The good news is that simple preventive strategies can help keep kids injury free on the soccer field this season – and when injuries do occur, there are effective techniques to help children recover more quickly and completely.

“Nearly half of all youth soccer injuries happen to adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14, a time period when kids begin to develop more strength but are still struggling with body control,” explains Dr. Kevin Plancher, MD, a leading orthopaedic surgeon in the NY metro area and an official surgeon of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. “Concurrently, this age group might also begin to take more physical risks on the playing field, but tend to downplay the need for comprehensive preparations before practice or competition,” he notes, adding, “Through proper coaching and training, youth soccer participants can learn to protect themselves from injury, and to recognize an injury when it does occur.”

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION: Pre-season training and pre-game warmups

Dr. Plancher stresses that two major strategies – training and conditioning, along with pre-competition and practice warm-ups – can go a long way toward keeping young players injury-free. “Most injuries to soccer players over the age of five involve the lower extremities,” he points out. “Beginning a preseason strengthening and conditioning program can help these players increase strength and flexibility in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the hips, legs, knees and ankles, reducing the risk of injury once competition begins.”

Dr. Plancher recommends that teams hire a certified athletic trainer when possible to work with young athletes, or to train coaches on tactics aimed at reducing the risk of injuries on the field. “Sports medicine research confirms the importance of training, and more specifically, the types of exercises that are appropriate – and inappropriate – for developing children and adolescents,” Dr. Plancher advises

Certified trainers work with teams to teach proper running and pivoting techniques to reduce the risk of knee injuries such as ACL and meniscus tears – which are on the rise among young athletes. At Plancher Orthopaedics, trainer Hunter Greene, MS, ATC/L, OTC, works with local middle school, high school and college teams. Trainers like Hunter can work with young athletes to help them avoid overuse injuries, which occur when children engage in a single repetitive motion over a long time period that puts stress on a muscle, ligament, tendon or joint. In soccer, the ankles and knees are most prone to these types of injuries, and athletic trainers provide conditioning to help children avoid them. “Soccer is a game of constant movement,” Dr. Plancher points out, “And so young athletes need to learn the proper techniques to protect their joints and ligaments during long stretches of running and physical exertion.”

Finally, coaches and athletic trainers should ensure that youth players warm up adequately before engaging in full competition or practice. Dr. Plancher suggests that warm-ups consist of several minutes of light cardiovascular exercise such as jogging around the field, followed by 10-15 minutes of stretching the core muscles that will be taxed during practice or game play.

IN CASE OF INJURY: Recognizing and RICE-ing a child’s soccer injury

When injuries do occur, Dr. Plancher notes, the most important strategy to reduce its impact and ensure a positive and timely recovery is recognition. “In game situations, particularly among young players, there is frequently a temptation to ‘shake off’ or play through an injury,” Dr. Plancher points out. “However, tendon and ligament injuries can worsen with additional activity, and so it is important that an injured child be removed from play until a certified athletic trainer or a physician can evaluate the injury.” Dr. Plancher suggests that any young athlete who experiences swelling or hears a tearing or popping sound at the site of the injury, or has difficulty bearing weight in the injured area, should refrain from play. “The RICE technique – rest, ice, compression and elevation – should be applied immediately, and if the symptoms persist or worsen after several hours, the child should be taken to an emergency room or a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon,” he advises.

“Soccer can be one of the safest and most enjoyable sports for young athletes to participate in,” Dr. Plancher concludes. “As with any sport, soccer is most enjoyable when the players are conditioned and prepared to play in ways that help them reduce their risk of painful injuries that sideline them from the game.”

Bio:

Kevin D. Plancher, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.O.S, is a leading orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine expert with treatment in knee, shoulder, elbow and hand injuries. Dr. Plancher is an Associate Clinical Professor in Orthopaedics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in NY. He is on the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

A graduate of Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Plancher received an M.S. in Physiology and an M.D. from their school of medicine (cum laude). He did his residency at Harvard’s combined Orthopaedic program and a Fellowship at the Steadman-Hawkins clinic in Vail, Colorado where he studied shoulder and knee reconstruction. Dr. Plancher continued his relationship with the Clinic for the next six years as a Consultant. Dr. Plancher has been a team physician for over 15 athletic teams, including high school, college and national championship teams. Dr. Plancher is currently the head team physician for Manhattanville College. Dr. Plancher is an attending physician at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City and The Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT and has offices in Manhattan and Greenwich, Connecticut. http://www.plancherortho.com

Dr. Plancher lectures extensively domestically and internationally on issues related to Orthopaedic procedures and injury management. During 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Dr. Plancher was named among the Top Doctors in the New York Metro area and was the New York State Representative for the Council of Delegates to the American Academy of Orthopaedic surgeons. In 2007 Dr. Plancher was named America’s Top Doctor in Sports Medicine. For the past six years Dr. Plancher has received the Order of Merit (Magnum Cum Laude) for distinguished Philanthropy in the Advancement of Orthopaedic Surgery by the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. In 2001, he founded “The Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles”, a non-profit foundation focused on maintaining and enhancing the physical well-being of active individuals through the development and promotion of research and supporting technologies. http://www.ofals.org.

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Find More Athletic Trainer Schools Press Releases

Renowned provider of fitness and nutrition education certification courses World Instructor Training Schools (W.I.T.S.) has expanded the accreditation attached to its coursework. W.I.T.S. courses are approved as college credits towards a degree.

Founder Jay Del Vecchio describes W.I.T.S. courses as “a live higher learning, real life interactive program that teaches fitness enthusiasts from the ground up to work in the field.” Unlike other courses that promise to teach students how to become a personal trainer in a weekend (or even an afternoon), a W.I.T.S. course is a six week, 50 hour program. There is no better personal trainer certification available. During his time as a fitness club owner, Del Vecchio was constantly frustrated by the lack of truly qualified trainers, despite the personal training credentials on their resumes.

Del Vecchio set out to create a course that truly taught students how to become a personal trainer. The result is the W.I.T.S. coursework. “Our show, tell, and do approach with hands on practical labs makes it easy to work with clients in the real world,” said Del Vecchio. World Instructor Training Schools fitness and nutrition education courses are recognized by top organizations in the industry including the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Council on Education, the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers, the International Association for Continuing Education and Training, the National Board for Fitness Examiners, and the IDEA-PFT Recognition Program.

Certifications available include Personal Trainer, Fitness Management, Group Exercise, Senior Fitness, Aqua Fitness Instructor and Children’s Fitness Specialist. W.I.T.S. graduates can look forward to solid careers after they complete their personal fitness training education because the US Labor Board predicts that there will be a 40% shortage in the number of trainers needed by consumers by the year 2012. W.I.T.S. certificate holders will be in the highly desirable position, if these predictions are correct, of being in a high demand occupation. A unique feature is that W.I.T.S. partners not just with higher educational institutions for the college program, but also employers, providing them with graduate lists, and creating internship opportunities for W.I.T.S. students.

To learn more about World Instructor Training Schools and its coursework, please visit WITSEducation.com.

About World Instructor Training Schools:

Jay Del Vecchio founded World Instructor Training Schools (W.I.T.S.) in response to personal frustration. As a health club owner, he found that applicants for personal trainer positions with “national” and “international” certifications often had an incomplete education. He began offering regional certifications in the Virginia area in 1989 and in 1993 launched the World Instructor Training Schools, the only 6 week, 50-hour course of its kind in the industry. The company’s goal is not to show students how to become a personal trainer on paper, but to train truly effective and competent professionals through hands on, practical coursework.

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Dorrance Publishing Company recently released the following titles. They are available for purchase at http://www.dorrancebookstore.com, brick and mortar bookstores, on-line bookstores or by calling (800) 788-7654. Media review copies are available by calling (800) 788-7654.

The Alternative Lottery

($ 9.00) ISBN: 978-0-8059-7745-5, paperback

If you were to write out the story inside of you, what would it be about? One morning a group of mothers decided to explore their writing abilities in the hopes of coming up with the next worldwide bestseller. Each set out to write one chapter from the point of view of a person at a different stage in life: an infant, a child, a young adult, and a mature woman. While knowing their dreams of fame and fortune were farfetched, they decided to order the stories according to the ages of the speakers and play the lottery with the numbers.

The Alternative Lottery, by Jennie Rookledge, is a collection of short stories that give a unique perspective to everyday life. Through them you can find the story that lives inside you.

About the Author

A native of England, Jennie Rookledge lives in Carshalton Beeches, Surrey, with her husband, Gordon Charles Rookledge. They have three children: Sarah Louise, Gavin Alistair, and Emma Constance. Now retired, Jennie once worked as a secretary, personal assistant, and computer specialist, after having attended Hackbridge Infants and Juniors Schools, Wallington Grammar School for Girls, and Wimbledon Secretarial College. In her spare time, Jennie enjoys needlepoint, cooking, gardening, and crossword puzzles.

El Toro Training Sports Conditioning Manual

($ 11.00) ISBN: 978-0-8059-7870-4, paperback

As certified personal fitness trainer Byron Foster states, in recent years athletes have been achieving greatly enhanced levels of physical fitness because our knowledge of physical conditioning has been growing continuously. In El Toro Training Sports Conditioning Manual, he provides athletes of various disciplines with a plan for achieving their optimum level of fitness.

Athletes will learn how to develop their core power and extremity power, as well as speed and agility, the three main components of reaching peak physical condition. Nutritional recommendations are included as well, which help the athlete determine the proper fuel for his or her body.

In a highly accessible format, illustrations of the many exercises described in the book demonstrate the correct way to perform each part of the training process. Through this comprehensive guide, athletes will learn how to achieve and maintain their optimum performance.

About the Author

Byron Foster, who has been certified as a personal fitness trainer, a sports conditioning specialist, and a football conditioning specialist, founded El Toro Training. Byron’s contributions to the community include writing Beyond the Rhetoric, which addresses the issues of race in our society. He was a guest speaker at the Ach/Hughes Alumni Association’s 10th Annual Scholarship Brunch and volunteered as a motivational speaker at the River City Correctional Center. He was also a recipient of the 2005 YMCA Black Achievers Award.

For more information on El Toro Training and our other services, please visit our website at http://www.eltorotraining.com.

Dorrance Publishing Company is the nation’s oldest authors services company. The Dorrance family of imprints provides authors with the level of personalized service they require to become a published author. All international standard book number (ISBN) eligible imprints have a bookstore returns allowed policy.

Dorrance Publishing http://www.dorrancepublishing.com/info.asp?program=prweb — books have carried the Dorrance imprint for over 85-years. This full-service subsidy publishing imprint offers authors traditional, complete publishing services including editing, proofreading, original page and cover design, publication in paperback, hardback and custom or unusual book production specifications, original illustration creation, ISBN and copyright. Dorrance titles are printed and warehoused in anticipation of orders that may follow as a result of a defined, limited promotional plan.

RoseDog Books http://www.rosedog.com– a full-service print on demand publishing imprint offering authors complete page design services, original cover design, editing services, original illustration creation, full-color and black and white books, a variety of book trim sizes, paperback or hardback binding, an ISBN and copyright. Authors can provide their manuscript on paper or in a digital file. RoseDog titles are printed when ordered and can be purchased on-line or through brick and mortar stores. Book promotion services are also available.

Red Lead Press http://www.redleadpress.com — a very affordable publishing imprint for authors who need some help with basic page and cover design, an ISBN and copyright. Red Lead titles are printed when ordered and can be purchased on-line or through brick and mortar stores.

I-Proclaim http://www.i-proclaim.com –Using a self-serve on-line template an author can become a published author in minutes. There are no set-up fees and no minimum book order.

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More Athletic Trainer Schools Press Releases

elements announces a unique new addition to their All-Star Fitness Advisory Board: pre/postnatal fitness expert, Corry Matthews. She joins an extensive lineup of experts from the areas of diet, fitness, lifestyle and beauty, including syndicated columnists Dr. Fab and the Nutrition Twins, and Nike All-Star Trainer, Lisa Gaylord.

As founder of Corry Matthews Enterprises, Inc. and Strength & Grace Fitness, Corry has coached hundreds of clients in the areas of pre/postnatal fitness, personal training, corporate wellness program design, government/military fitness programming and group fitness instruction and nutrition.

elements All-Star Fitness Advisory Board was created to complement the brand’s in-club diet and fitness offerings, online magazine and media channel. The lifestyle brand invited Corry to join the board to provide support to consumers and professionals in the highly-popular area of pre/postnatal fitness.

“The best thing about prenatal fitness is that it is fun and rewarding. We know pregnant women are going to gain weight, so the worry about losing weight is not there. Pregnant women exercise because it feels good, reduces discomfort and, most important for many women, helps them regain their pre-pregnancy body much faster!” Corry states.

Corry is a professional figure athlete and fitness model, and has represented Gold’s Gym International as their Pre/Postnatal Fitness Institute Expert since 2003. She is Executive Director of the non-profit Fit & Healthy SchoolsTM, Co-Founder of the non-profit Fitness for Warriors TM, Health and Wellness Business Council Chair for the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Board of Directors member and Regional Director for Max Muscle Sports Nutrition.

Corry has been featured in numerous media outlets, including NBC News Channel 4, Body Fitness Magazine (UK), Flex, Max Sport and Fitness, and Oxygen. She holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine from the United States Sports Academy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, as well as a wide variety of health and fitness certifications from the ACE, AFPA, NESTA, and ENW.

For more information about Corry Matthews or the elements All-Star Fitness Advisory Board, please contact James Ontko at 786-363-4213 or james.o@elementsforwomen.com, and visit http://www.elementsforwomen.com and http://www.elementsliving.tv.

About elements?

elements? is an international premium fitness and lifestyle brand for women. The company offers membership-based fitness and weight loss services throughout a network of wholly-owned, as well as franchised health clubs, as well as related diet and wellness services. elements? has appeared in Forbes Magazine online, and has attracted international attention with its technologically advanced Smart Workouts, dynamic Group Workout series and the launch of its new online diet program, BalanceD?. Over 45 locations are now under development in the U.S., as well as international expansion to Bombay, Dubai and London.

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HealthStyles Exercise Equipment is proud to announce that Anne Parker has joined the Company as Director of Education and Programs. Anne Parker will lead the growth and development of the HealthStyles Fitness Professionals Network, a unique win-win referral program developed to bring together top health and fitness professionals with Coloradans who seek improved and optimal health.

Anne Parker has been active in the Denver fitness scene as a fitness studio owner and fitness business consultant. Parker started her career in Newport Beach, CA as a personal trainer at the Sports Club/LA and as an Olympic hopeful for the 2000 Olympic Games in Athens. As a pioneer in the event of women’s pole vault, she spent time working with the top coaches in the world at the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.

“Working as a personal trainer and training for the Olympic Games taught me invaluable lessons about goal setting, running a business, and helping people get in the best shape of their lives. I am excited to bring together the best personal trainers in Colorado to help them improve their businesses and at the same time improve the lives of anyone who enters a HealthStyles Exercise Equipment store.” said Anne Parker.

The goal of the HealthStyles Fitness Professional Network is to create a win-win referral partnership between top fitness professionals in Colorado and HealthStyles Exercise Equipment’s 11 Colorado retail stores. Anne Parker will manage the growth and development of the fitness professional network to select the best qualified candidates and to provide ongoing sales and business coaching to help participants get the most out of the program. Fitness professionals will benefit by receiving qualified customer leads from HealthStyles Exercise Equipment, expanding their service offerings with exercise equipment sales, and utilizing HealthStyles’ store locations to conduct clinics and seminars to help grow their training businesses. HealthStyles Exercise Equipment will also benefit by expanding their product offerings to include training services, providing customer education programs and professional pre-sale support, and by receiving highly qualified customer referrals from fitness professionals.

Personal trainers, fitness instructors, coaches, and other health and fitness professionals interested in joining the HealthStyles Professional Trainer Network can contact Anne Parker for more information at 1-888-487-0151. To contact HealthStyles Exercise Equipment, call 1-800-829-9705 to connect to the HealthStyles Retail Store location nearest you. Or find us on line at http://www.HealthStylesExercise.com.

About HealthStyles Exercise Equipment

HealthStyles Exercise Equipment is a privately owned Specialty Exercise Equipment Retailer with eleven Colorado Stores and a Commercial Sales Team. Owners Dave and Jeanne Sheriff, and HealthStyles Exercise Equipment employees have been assisting fitness enthusiasts throughout Colorado since opening their first store in Glenwood Springs in 1993. In addition to providing consumers with the best selection of quality exercise equipment for the home, HealthStyles sells quality exercise equipment to clubs, hotels, corporate fitness centers, hospitals, schools and colleges, and other commercial settings. HealthStyles Exercise Equipment is headquartered in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and can be reached at 800-688-2557 or online at http://www.HealthStylesExercise.com.

About Anne Parker

Anne Parker holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Coaching Certification from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. While at St. Thomas, she was a member of the 1997 NCAA Division III Track and Field runner-up National Championship Team. She is an NCAA All-American athlete and a USA Track and Field level II coach. Additionally, she holds personal training certifications with the National Strength Coaches Association and the National Association of Sports Medicine. For more information, visit http://www.denver-personal-trainer.com.

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Atlanta’s fast growing Get In Shape Boot Camp is responsible for the transformation of many of Metro Atlanta’s most admired physiques. Currently stationed in 10 locations throughout the city, the trainers of the popular fitness program are preparing to assault the growing epidemic of childhood obesity among children and teens with the all new “Get In Shape Bootcamp, Kidz Camp” at the Teen Xtreme Fitness Center at 3471 Donaville St, Duluth GA 30096 on December 1, 2008.

“Get In Shape Bootcamp, Kidz Camp” will run three times a day at 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in a state of the art 3,000-square foot facility. The one-of-a-kind recreation and fitness center for kids ages 6 to 16 will offer a safe and exciting venue to have fun while getting fit.

“Kids are the foundation of our future, we must aggressively pursue their fitness and health needs to prevent unhealthy lifestyles and help them make fitness a regular part of life,” explains Get In Shape Bootcamp Founder, Shannon Hamilton.

“Young people that are not fit, are teased at school, thus reducing their self esteem?our program focuses on the total package. We build self esteem, self worth, healthy food choices and make fitness fun.”

Get In Shape Bootcamp owner Shannon Hamilton Sr. is a Certified Personal Trainer and Ex-U.S. Navy Submariner and U.S. Navy Diver. The charismatic pro has trained with the most elite forces in the world; The United States Navy Seals and Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal units. Mr. Hamilton has successfully executed Top Secret Missions with the Submarine Service (Fast Attacks) and Seal Teams around the globe and now his mission is making his boot-campers achieve their best possible fitness levels.

MORE ABOUT GET IN SHAPE BOOT CAMP

“We Help You Look Good Naked!”

The Get In Shape Boot Camp helps fitness enthusiasts and average working people develop better physiques, flatter stomachs, increased muscle tone, more agility and better eating habits. The boot camp also stresses that with thorough exercise during their program, campers reduce chances of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, boosts stamina, endurance and improves overall fitness and wellness.

Within 12 to 20 sessions, participants get a fresh new outlook on working out. With this renewed energy and excitement about taking charge of their physical well-being, Get In Shape Boot Camp catapults participants into healthier and more active lifestyles that carry on through a lifetime through a program that also emphasizes accountability.

Quality Instruction and Motivation: Although any workout with the phrase “BOOTCAMP” in it might sound intimidating, Get In Shape Boot Camp focuses on discipline and intensity, instead of pain and punishment. Instructors are fitness athletes and some prior military professionals who use an approach of encouragement and enthusiasm — not embarrassment — to pull the best performance possible out of every Boot Camper for every workout!

For those who aren’t sure whether or not they are ready or willing to commit the time to the Get In Shape Boot Camp, Saturday classes are free and open to the public.

To get more info about Get In Shape Boot Camp, visit:

http://www.getinshapebootcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/getinshapebootcamp

http://www.getinshapechallenge.blogspot.com

For media inquiries about the Get In Shape Boot Camp, contact:

Treavion Davenport of Trea Day Management and Publicity

678.570.4930/c or 770.807.6021/o

treadaypr at gmail dot com

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Austin-based sports surfacing contractor, Hellas Construction, announced that it has been selected to provide its new SoftTop? removable “roll-up” turf system to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. The billion-dollar stadium complex will feature the most technologically advanced synthetic turf, called Matrix?, in conjunction with Hellas’ exclusive roll-up system allowing for the conversion of three separate fields. Upon its opening in 2009, the Cowboys stadium will be the first sporting complex in the country with a multiple-field capability, due to its state-of-the-art roll-up design.

For a preview of the new field, specifications on the SoftTop system and the conversion capabilities, as well as multimedia downloads, visit: http://www.dallascowboysturf.com

“The Dallas Cowboys are held to the highest standards in pro sports, so the new stadium must bring together the best in class from all suppliers, from LED screens to seating,” said Jack Hill of Blue Star Development and the new stadium’s general manager. “Hellas offers the finest turf product on the market and the conversion capability is a must for this complex. We use their RealGrass? turf system at Texas Stadium, as well as at the team’s Valley Ranch training facility, so we’re sold on Sportfield/Hellas products, the engineering, durability and their first-rate after-market service.”

“You can’t get much higher praise for your product and service than being selected by the Dallas Cowboys,” said Hellas CEO, Reed J. Seaton. “We’ve seen tremendous success in fields throughout the southwest including the Alamodome, Northern Arizona University’s J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome and other stadium installations. Adding the new Cowboys stadium to the roster is an honor and a testament to our turf’s superior quality as well as our full installation and servicing capabilities,” Seaton stated.

The Dallas Cowboys new stadium will feature a convertible field and the first in the nation to interchange three full fields in one stadium – pro football, college/high school football and soccer. The Alamodome in San Antonio was the first in the country to feature the SoftTop roll-up system and currently uses Hellas to facilitate the frequent interchange between football and general arena needs, from basketball to major conventions.

James Mery, director of convention and sports facilities for the City of San Antonio noted, “We’re a multi-purpose facility, so Hellas’ portable infill system was designed to meet our specific needs. Thanks to their expertise in field conversions and its durable design, the Alamodome can smoothly move between stadium and arena configurations.”

Hellas’ patented Matrix turf is comprised of a monofilament yarn in two different sizes and colors. This configuration creates the best traction and system stability possible, and under stadium lights, the color combination provides exceptional light deflection. Sportfield’s Matrix system utilizes a specially produced monofilament yarn from.

Edward Schaper, facilities manager at the University of Idaho, which installed the roll-up turf in 2006, says that athletes and trainers give the field high marks. “RealGrass is an excellent product. We’ve got 28 components that roll out and it’s amazing how they hold up so well,” said Schaper. “We’re going on our third year with the turf and will definitely be renewing our contract with Hellas.”

Hellas is scheduled to install the new turf at the Dallas Cowboys stadium in Q2 of 2009. The company provides all of the design, engineering, tools, equipment and training necessary for this removable roll-up turf system. The stadium is scheduled for completion in June of 2009 and will host Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

About Hellas Construction, Inc.:

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Hellas Construction is one of the largest sports and surfacing contractors in the United States. The company specializes in the general construction of sports facilities and synthetic turf installation. Current clients include the Alamodome in San Antonio, Northern Arizona University, University of Idaho, Texas Stadium and numerous stadiums across the Southwest. For more information visit http://www.hellasconstruction.com.

About Sportfield, LLC

Austin, Texas-based Sportfield is a product development company of synthetic turf. The company provides customized field products to the growing synthetic turf market throughout the United States. Sportfield is recognized for developing and producing turf products that feature the highest grade of playability, environmental considerations, durability and aesthetics. All of its customized products are installed and converted by Hellas Construction,

also of Austin, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.sportfield.com.

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The winter weather is well and truly with us this month. There has been sleet, snow, closed schools and even freezing fog, which means it is treacherous for anyone out driving on the icy roads or running along the frozen footpaths. So online retailer Fitness Footwear is urging athletes to swap their running shoes for some alternative footwear and take up an indoor sport for the season.

It is a terrible time of year for athletes and active people. Due to the combination of Christmas dinner, Boxing Day cold meats and New Year cheer, coupled with the cold weather, people as a whole are staying indoors more than ever, forgetting their enjoyable morning run or evening jog while the high winds prevent popular sports such as Tennis and Badminton from being played.

So what can you do to stay slim while Mum serves up a roast dinner to die for and Dad dishes up a Christmas pudding dripping in brandy while your relatives decided to buy you chocolate of all things?

Running in the cold weather isn’t the answer, especially since the government issued health warnings in November concerning the icy conditions. Yet, sitting indoors, staring out of the window and quaffing yet another pint of beer or glass of red wine in the name of Yuletide isn’t the answer either.

Fortunately, there are a number of energetic indoor activities to help people stay in shape. The most popular indoor exercise activity has always been going to the gym. All that is needed are a good pair of gym shoes and there are a wide variety of gym classes to sign up to which range from weight training to boxercise, circuit training and many more. It’s almost a certainty that a local leisure centre will have classes and groups to cater for every type of activity, plus plenty more that none by the fitness elite have ever heard of.

To rapidly work off a hefty Christmas dinner, Squash is always a highly energetic option. While Squash has been overshadowed by Tennis in recent years, it’s the perfect indoor sport for when the weather is cold, wet and windy. Whether a new player is seeking to become a technical master of the sport, or just furiously whack the ball and run around the court, Squash is great fun with a suitable pair of squash shoes to provided the grip and speed which is needed. Then it’s a simple case of quickly working up a sweat and burn off the pounds that were piled on with all that Christmas turkey. In just one hour of Squash, a player is estimated to burn off 700 to 1000 calories, providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. A like minded friend who’s happy to hit a bouncy ball around a small room for an hour will always give the game a more competitive edge as well.

While running has always been the perfect budget sport for the credit crunch, due to its waning popularity, Squash is also surprisingly cheap and a Squash court is often readily available, making it an excellent choice of exercise for the financially challenged. After forking out a fortune for all those Christmas presents, the price is a pleasant surprise. Should you find a passion for playing Squash, it’s easy to meet like minded players who are keen to keep the game alive.

Gym classes and Squash courts are just two of the places to stay in shape this Christmas while there are many more indoor sports to choose from with a popular following from badminton to basketball, to kick boxing and karate.

But if you’re a hard core fitness freak who doesn’t care about the cold, Fitness Footwear also stock a wide range of running trainers to keep your jogging. Just make sure that you wrap up warm while out running this winter.

Resources:

With over 30 brands, more than 2000 products and thousands of new customers every day, FitnessFootwear is one of the fastest growing independent shoe retailers in the UK. FitnessFootwear bring their philosophy of efficiency and fun to their products and company culture, with a huge selection of shoes, boots and footwear for every activity and occasion, combining the comfort with style and function with fashion.

In just 5 years of shoe retailing, Fitness Footwear has developed an extensive catalogue of sports shoes and accessories for all ages which combine comfort, style and fine quality. These include a wide range of leading sports brands, such as Hi-Tec, Mizuno, New Balance and Inov 8.

FitnessFootwear is based in Woolmer Green, Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

This press release was written by Adam Smith.

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Related Athletic Trainer Schools Press Releases

Testing for concussion symptoms before athletic participation may help clinicians better evaluate concussion issues after an injury, according to a study published in the January/February issue of Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

“Understanding commonly reported concussion symptoms and performing a baseline test of all athletes may allow clinicians to more accurately interpret symptoms that present after an injury,” says one of the study’s authors Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC, Professor and Director of the Center for Study of Retired Athletes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The cross-sectional study evaluated self-reported symptom checklists and concussion history questionnaires completed during preseason clinical testing by more than 8,900 high school and college athletes at 130 high schools and colleges from around the country. Results indicated that nine concussion-linked symptoms were reported by at least 10 percent of those tested, with the symptoms being more prevalent in those who had suffered at least one concussion. Additionally, at least 25 percent of those who had three or more concussions, reported a presence of at least half the concussion-linked symptoms.

Guskiewicz and his colleagues hope their study sheds light on a concussion’s impact on athletic and academic performance. “Our data suggest that athletes with a history of concussion experience prolonged concussion-linked symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, numbness and trouble concentrating and remembering on a regular basis. When a student is having difficulty concentrating in conjunction with a headache and fatigue, their performance in school may be poor,” explains lead author, Johna Register-Mihalik, doctoral candidate at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Improved testing may be instrumental in the identification of concussion complications and improve overall concussion management.”

Published bimonthly, Sports Health is a collaborative publication from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), and the Sports Physical Therapy Section (SPTS). Other organizations participating in the publication include the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Sports Fitness and Medicine and the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM). For more information on the publication or to submit a manuscript, visit http://www.sportshealthjournal.org

For additional questions, please contact Lisa Weisenberger, AOSSM Director of Communications at 847-292-4900.

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Find More Athletic Trainer Schools Press Releases

In 1998, an obscure Russian trainer, Pavel Tsatsouline, gatecrashed the American fitness establishment with a dramatic call-to-arms: “Comrades! Unite with the Kettlebell! You only have your weakness and fatness to lose!”

Those in the know have hailed Pavel’s landmark manifesto as the spark that ignited the “Russian Kettlebell Invasion”, forever altering our fitness landscape for the better.

When the Berlin Wall came tumbling down on November 9, 1989, history seemed to rewrite itself overnight. Brute impossibilities and entrenched doctrines were swept away in one magnificent gesture. A new world of hope and opportunity sprang into being.

One man who took advantage of “Gorbachev’s Gift” was a young, former Russian Special Forces trainer, Pavel Tsatsouline, who cheerfully swapped the rigors of the Russian Arctic for his equally cold but far more welcoming new home in St. Paul, Minnesota.

How best to repay his new country for the opportunity to live in the United States?

Why, by sharing with the US all those prized strength and performance secrets that had allowed the Soviets to be so dominant in the Olympics and to forge the legendary toughness of their Spetsnaz commandos.

And if Pavel could identify one crucial device that gave the Soviets their formidable edge in strength and toughness?

For Pavel, it had to be the Russian Kettlebell russiankettlebells.com ?

Pavel published his historic article on kettlebells in Milo magazine, December 1998, http://ironmind.com. “Vodka, Pickle Juice, Kettlebell Lifting and Other Russian Pastimes”.

Pavel’s article sparked immense interest and curiosity amongst many of America’s strength and personal training elite. Pavel responded by publishing his now classic The Russian Kettlebell Revolution http://www.dragondoor.com/b15.html and establishing the world’s first kettlebell instructor certification system http://www.dragondoor.com/author_workshops.html. Pavel’s kettlebell instructors now teach in 43 countries worldwide and in 49 states in the US.

Sports stars like Lance Armstrong, movie stars like Sylvester Stallone and Penelope Cruz, the Secret Service, the US armed forces, including the Navy Seals, and numerous “tough” professions such as police and firefighters now swear by their kettlebells.

But most astonishing has been the growing popularity of kettlebells in the mainstream American fitness market, as the average male and female fitness enthusiast rush to take advantage of the kettlebell’s remarkable ability to simultaneously manage bodyweight, enhance endurance and build strength.

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Russian kettlebell’s introduction to America here are some golden passages from Pavel’s original Kettlebell manifesto:

“Vodka at night. Pickle juice in the morning (the best thing for hangover!). Throwing some kettlebells around between this hangover and the next one. A Russian’s day well spent.

The ‘kettlebell’, a cast iron weight which looks like a basketball with a suitcase handle, is an old Russian toy. My ancestors played with it between skirmishes with Germans, Turks, and many other neighbors who wanted a piece of Mother Russia. Later it was the key in forging the mighty power of dinosaurs like Ivan ‘the Champion of Champions’ Poddubny. Poddubny, a joker who made himself a 16kg cane and amused himself watching pencilnecks at coat checks in restaurants drop it on their toes, and one of the strongest men of his time, trained with kettlebells in preparation for his undefeated wrestling career and six world champion belts. Thanks to K-bells, Poddubny would toy with much larger opponents, lift them over his head, and slam them into the ground!

Introduce explosive repetition KB lifts into your workout after heavy, low rep work. Start with the one arm power snatch. Stand over a kettlebell, your feet about shoulder width. Inhale, arch your back, push your butt back, and bend your knees -as in a power squat. Reach for the bell with one hand, the arm straight, while keeping the other arm away from your body.

Tighten your body, and rip the weight off the floor and straight over your head in one movement. Do not lift with your arm, but rather with your hips. Project the force straight up, rather than back -as in a jump. You may end up airborne. It is OK.

Fix the weight overhead in the press behind the neck position for a second, then let it free fall between your legs as you are dropping into a half squat. Bending your arm at this point is optional. The moment the kettlebell is slightly behind your legs -but before you kiss your ass -explosively snap your hips through for another rep. Make sure you are on your heels when you start pulling. When you have done your reps with one arm, switch hands and immediately continue

In a 1930s classic Russian novel The Golden Taurus by Ilf and Petrov two small timers after a quick ruble search through the modest household of a man they suspect of being a millionaire. Finally the dorks steal his kettlebell and saw it in half hoping it is cast of pure gold. There is no gold inside the kettlebell. Only raw power, android work capacity, and an immortal’s ability to tolerate physical punishment.”

(To obtain Pavel’s complete Milo magazine article, contact IronMind at 530-272-3579 or ironmind.com).

Because of the kettlebell’s offset center of gravity and unique design, the kettlebell challenges the body faster and more effectively than traditional weight lifting. The result? Dramatic increases in strength, power, speed and endurance that help even older athletes compete at the highest levels.

While the fastest-growing segment of the kettlebell market are middle-aged women who are attracted to the kettlebell’s uncanny ability to burn off unwanted fat, the most vocal advocates of the kettlebell’s benefits have been the martial artists, police, military and professional athletes who experience an immediate upgrade in their real-life physical performance.

The kettlebell has come to symbolize a return to the old school training methods, stressing brute toughness and durability achieved with the simplest of exercise equipment.

The spark that ignited a revolution in personal fitness: how a once little-known Russian training device, the kettlebell, has rewritten the code for truly effective strength, cardio and weight loss. To learn more about Russian kettlebells visit http://www.russiankettlebells.com

To arrange an interview with Pavel Tsatsouline or receive review copies of Kettlebell books and DVDs! contact John Du Cane at 651-487-3828.

Dragon Door Publications, Inc is the leading provider in the United States of cutting-edge information on strength and conditioning for high performance.

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