National Athlete of the Month | Chris Jimenez | March 2011

On Feb. 12, junior point guard Chris Jimenez scored his 1,000th career point, boosting St. Joseph’s College (Patchogue, NY) to a 104-82 victory over Mt. Saint Vincent. He was honored as the prestigious Skyline Player of the Week on Feb. 14 and is a two-time Skyline Honor Roll member.

Jimenez is currently ranked fifth in NCAA’s Division III with 3.6 three-point field goals per game and 26th in three-point percentage (42.6). Jimenez also leads the conference in three-point shooting per game, and ranks in the Top 10 in the conference for steals and scoring.

Jimenez was St. Joseph’s top player in 2009-10 and was its lone representative on the All-Skyline Conference team. He led the squad with 312 points scored, 57 steals, 69 assists and 11.6 points per game. He also had 11 blocked shots.

In St. Joseph’s Skyline Championship season (2008-09) Jimenez scored 12.1 points per game. This guard couldn’t have had a bigger impact in his freshman season as he led St. Joseph’s in steals, 43, and was second on the team in assists with 89. Jimenez was ranked No. 15 in Division III with a 2.47 assist-to-turnover ratio. This two-time Skyline Rookie of the Week winner shot 40% from three-point range and scored 339 total points in 2008-09.

Jimenez came to St. Joseph’s as one of its mostly highly regarded freshmen in recent years. He immediately stepped into the starting five at the point and appeared in all 28 contests.

But Jimenez’s high school career was nothing to shake aside, either. This speedy player was the point guard for St. Anthony’s (South Huntington, NY) 2007 CHSAA Long Island Championship team. As a three-year starter, Jimenez was All-Conference and All-League in his junior and senior years, and All-County in his junior year. Jimenez also won the Tenety Award at graduation.

All information courtesy St. Joseph's College Athletics

Exercise of the Month | National Athletic Training Month | March 2011

StrengthUSA.com is celebrating National Athletic Training Month. During March, athletic trainers across America are being recognized for their commitment to helping people prevent injuries, stay healthy and promote positive activity. Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals, highly educated and dedicated to the job at hand. Athletic trainers can be found in high schools, colleges, corporations, professional sports, the military, performing arts and physician offices.

Celebrate National Athletic Training Month this March by following these important sports injury-prevention tips:

•Before participating in athletics or exercise, see your physician for a physical exam.
•Always make sure you have an emergency plan in place in case of injury.
•Drink seven to 10 ounces of water or sports drink every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise.
•Ensure proper stretching and warm-up techniques prior to activity.
•Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other harmful drugs.

Are you sidelined with an injury? Make sure you consult a Certified Athletic Trainer, who specializes in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. Avoid injury, stay active ... and in the game.

StrengthUSA.com's normal Exercise of the Month feature will return in April.

Weekly Training Article | Exercising With the Sniffles: Good Idea? | 3/28/11-4/3/11

By Raymond Lee

Should you workout when you have a cold? How about if you have a fever? For many avid exercisers, especially beginners who have just managed to make walking a habit, stopping to give your body a rest can feel very threatening. You are afraid that if you stop, you may never start again. But there are certain circumstances when exercise can do more harm than good, especially when you are recovering from an illness like the common cold or the flu.

If you decide to exercise when you are stuffed up, make sure you check your body first. Do you feel excessive fatigue? How is your breathing? Does it feel difficult to fill your lungs as you normally would? Make sure you keep track of your pulse, both at rest and while you are working. If it seems unusually high, you might want to consider taking another day off.

If you do decide to take up the challenge, take it slower than usual. For example, even though it may be your day for hills, modify your schedule and keep it flat. If it is a fast-pace day, walk at a normal speed instead. Don’t try and beat the clock this time. Finally, make sure you drink plenty of water. Hydration is crucial, especially when fighting off a cold. The following is a summary of guidelines you should follow if you decide to walk despite the sniffles:

• Wait until you are in the latter phase of your cold.
• Take your morning pulse; if it's 10 beats higher than normal, take another day off.
• Do a modified version of what you normally would do until you feel better.
• Start out slowly; if you feel OK, pick up the pace gradually.
• Drink plenty of water and make sure you get adequate rest.
• Listen to your body. If it doesn’t feel right, then it probably is not.

A simple stuffy nose is one thing, but exercising when you have a fever or other flu symptoms can be more damaging than good. Because a fever indicates that your body is fighting an infection, your immune system is on overdrive in an attempt to suppress the attacking virus. If you go out and exercise at such a time, you're putting even more strain on an immune system already under extreme stress. Exercising will steal some of the energy away from the task at hand (healing), and could set your body up for a prolonged and more severe attack.

If it's the flu or fever you're suffering from, take time off! Wait until the illness has subsided. Be honest with yourself about how your body feels. Pushing yourself when you are not ready will only drag the healing process out longer, setting your goals further and further back.

Source: articlecircle.com

Weekly Training Article | 10 Tips on Preventing Basketball Injuries | 3/21/11-3/27/11

By Vasili Gatsinaris

Basketball has been known to be a challenging sport to play. It has also been known to take its toll on your body. Follow these 10 tips on preventing basketball injuries and you'll feel better about getting back on the court.

1. Proper warm up. I can't stress enough how important it is to loosen up and stretch. Many times we are so ready to play that we neglect even a minimal warm up or stretch. Start with a 5-10 minute jog around the court. ... Get the muscles warm. Muscles that are cold and tight don't react as quickly and can easily get strained or injured. After your jog, run some lines, from the free throw line to the half court line, etc. Run at approximately 75% of your total speed, to get your heart pumping and muscles moving.

2. Check out the court. During your warm up, check to see if there are any items such as rocks, holes, glass, etc. on the court that could present as dangerous and remove them. As silly as this seems, there are many injuries that happen due to tripping and falling over court debris. Inside courts should be clean, clear of water spills and the flooring should have good traction.

3. Wear proper shoes. I know this may seem basic, but most people have one pair of athletic tennis shoes that they wear for every sport -- running, tennis, basketball, etc. You should wear specific basketball shoes and even find out which types of basketball shoes are for you. There are high tops that offer maximum support and stabilization for your ankles. There are mid tops that offer minimal ankle support, and low tops that offer no ankle support. If you're a beginner, I would suggest either a high top or mid top shoe. This will give you ankle support and help prevent injuries. For the more advanced basketball player, I would recommend that the guard position wear a mid to low top shoe. Although this will give you less ankle support, it will give you more flexibility. For the forwards and centers, I recommend high tops for more support.

4. Drink plenty of water. While playing ball, it is important to stay hydrated for optimal performance. Two hours prior to playing, you should drink 20oz. of water and continue to drink water during the game. Even after you're done playing, you should replenish with fluids and even a sports drink up to a few hours after playing. Always keep water with you in your gym bag.

5. Stretch. And I mean stretch. How often do we jump straight into playing ball with only minimal (if any) stretching? I highly recommend you spend about 5 to 10 minutes stretching from the bottom of your body to the top. Start with ...
a. Ankles: while seated, roll your ankles in a circular motion.
b. Calves: standing with your hands against a wall, bend your right leg and keep your left leg back with heels on the floor. Hold for 30 seconds.
c. Quads: while standing, bend your knee and grab the ankle. Hold for 30 seconds.
d. Lower back: while standing upright, bend at the waist and try to touch your toes.
e. Middle back: while standing upright, side bend to the right and then to the left. Also, twist to the left and to the right.
f. Neck: slowly turn your head to the left and to the right. Bend your neck forwards and backwards. Slowly move your neck into a circular motion.
g. Shoulders: while standing upright, grab your right arm with your left hand and pull across your chest. Repeat with the other side. Remember that basketball is not only a lower body workout. It requires you to move all parts of your body, and therefore every muscle and joint should be stretched to avoid injury.

6. Strengthen your muscles. This will take time, but the stronger the muscles, the more that they will be able to support you and propel you throughout your game. If you never worked out before in a gym, then I would highly recommend the advice of a personal trainer, and especially someone who knows about basketball. Just 20 minutes a day for strengthening your muscles and 10 minutes for cardio is key to preventing injuries and improving your game.

7. Support braces. Let's be honest, no matter what you do, you may not be able to avoid an injury. You roll your ankle on someone's foot, or run into a screen that knocks you on the floor. ... You're not crippled, but you're not 100%. Invest in some support braces from your local doctor or physical therapist. They will be able to advise on what type of brace you will need to help avoid injuries.

8. Mouth pieces. As an important part of preventing injuries, the mouth piece is invaluable. Although it doesn't seem like basketball is a rough sport, it actually is. Remember what a hard foul is?! Many times as you are driving to the basket, you can get hit in the mouth. A mouth guard can help protect from the loss or fracture of your teeth. They are sold at sporting good stores and should be worn at all times.

9. If you're injured see a doctor. Some injuries, although minimal, can actually lead to something bigger. By seeing your doctor sooner than later, you can avoid it from becoming a bigger problem. Don't be a tough guy and continue to play. See a doctor who specializes in sports injuries and who will be able to give you guidance on how to heal properly.

10. Have fun. By having fun, you avoid getting into trouble. You avoid playing dirty and deliberately hurting the other team. No one likes to play with someone who constantly fouls and plays out of control. Remember to have fun and you will enjoy playing the game.

Source: physicafitnessarticles.net

Weekly Training Article | Heart Disease is More Than a Chest Pain | 3/14/11-3/20/11

By Kevin Pederson

There are many reasons by which people can be affected by heart disease. By knowing these reasons, one can start taking precautions before reaching a dire state. Reasons for having heart disease may be very common, but the repercussions are very bad for your health.

Age can be a major factor in suffering from heart disease. Statistics show that 83% of people who suffer from heart disease or any ailment relating to heart are 65 or older. Being of male gender also causes heart problems, as men are prone to die of heart attacks at an early age. After menopause, women's chances of having heart attacks also increases.

Heredity plays a very important role in determining your chances of having a heart problem. Children whose parents suffer from heart disease are more likely to be affected by this disease if proper care is not taken. As for race, African Americans suffer the highest risk of heart disease due to high blood pressure, as compared to Caucasians. Many Americans also suffer from obesity, which can cause heart disease.

Smoking is not good for your health, as it causes problems which can lead to heart ailments. Passive smoking is also unhealthy -- you are inhaling cigarette fumes. Cholesterol is also an important culprit in causing heart disease, and it's affected by age, sex, heredity and your diet.

Blood pressure and lack of physical activity also cause problems. High blood pressure leads to an over-load of work for the heart, which can lead to thickening of the heart and increases the chances for stroke, heart attack and heart failure. Also, stress, diabetes and alcohol can all play a part in causing heart problems.

Source: articlecircle.com

Weekly Training Article | Exercises for the Abdominals | 3/7/11-3/13/11

By Nitin Chhoda

Fitness is synonymous with a flat lower abdominal region. Regarded as the aesthetic center of the body, the abdominal region is of vital importance to health and well being. It is important in digestion and stability of the lower back. The muscles of your midsection are not isolated; they weave through your torso like a web of tissues and all muscles need to be trained in a balanced manner. When your abdominal muscles are weak, the muscles of the buttocks (the gluteus maximus) and the back of the thighs (the hamstrings) have to work harder to keep the spine stable.

Abdominal Crunches -- Upper Abdominal Muscles

Starting Position: Lie flat on your back. Bend your knees and hips. Place your feet flat on the floor. Gently clasp the hands behind the head, with the elbows pointing outwards. Movement: Inhale before you begin. Exhale as you curl up, slowly pulling your head, neck, shoulders and upper back off the floor. Remember to keep the chin away from the chest. Keep your lower back on the floor throughout the exercise. At the upper limit of this movement, "crunch" or squeeze the abdominal muscles by holding the position for 1-2 seconds. Slowly release the curling motion and inhale as you return to the starting position. Repeat as required.

Bicycle Crunches -- Oblique Abdominal Muscles

Starting Position: Lie on your back, on an exercise mat, with your knees bent and hands behind your head. Raise your knees into the air. Movement: Exhale as you alternately bring your elbows towards the opposite knee while crunching your upper body off of the mat. Inhale as you lower your legs back down to the starting position. Repeat as required.

Lying Face Down Plank -- Lower Abdominal And Lower Back Muscles

Starting Position: Get on an exercise mat, on all fours, with your elbows touching the mat directly underneath your shoulders. Extend your legs back as far as you can, and keep the toes on the floor. Movement: Raise the hips up and hold yourself in this 'plank position' with your back completely flat. This is an excellent exercise for the hips, thighs, lower back and abdominal muscles. Since it involves so many muscles, it's strenuous in nature. Lower the hips slowly down to the mat. Repeat for 15-20 repetitions. (Most individuals find it hard to complete 15-20 reps for this exercise, so 8-10 might be a more suitable starting point).

10 TIPS TO SUCCEED IN YOUR ABDOMINAL TRAINING PROGRAM

1. Get a medical evaluation and a complete physician's clearance before beginning a fitness program. This is especially important if you are over 35, have been sedentary for a long time, have high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, are a smoker, or have chest pains or shortness of breath.

2. Eat a healthy, balanced diet at all times. Avoid gimmicks and fad diets.

3. Start your days smart by working out before breakfast. Research has shown that those who exercise in the morning are most likely to stick with an exercise program.

4. Do not do too much too soon. Try to stay within your limits, and only do what can be sustained.

5. Have a specific objective in mind when starting a new routine. Everybody wants to "lose weight and get in shape." Try and reduce your waist measurement by 1-inch in the next 6-8 weeks with the strategies in this article.

6. The fitness program must fit your life. You should be comfortable with what you do and enjoy it.

7. Challenge your body every single time. Mix up the routine.

8. Get a workout partner, someone who motivates you.

9. Always warm up and cool down.

10. Stop if you have pain in the neck, lower back or abdominal muscles. Your technique may be improper. Learn the right exercise technique from printable exercise charts or consult a certified personal trainer.

Source: physicalfitnessarticles.net