Anatomy 101: A Thrower’s Arm
On average 50% of baseball and softball players experience a throwing-related injury. According to the American Sports Medicine Institute, “The 2014 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System reported 130,376 emergency room visits due to baseball/softball related shoulder, elbow, trunk, lower arm, head, neck, ankle and facial injuries.” First and foremost, the main goal of training should be to keep athletes healthy, best acquired with a comprehensive approach. This should include a sport-specific strength and conditioning programming, shoulder and elbow care programming, and an in-depth educational process. Education is imperative to help athletes understand how to take care of their
Get To Know The NAKOA Physical Therapy Team
Get to know Allison Nelson, Director of Physical Therapy at NAKOA! Do you have any nicknames? Chico (my maiden name), Cheeks, Al, Alli, Big Al (haha not my favorite) How long have you been at NAKOA? I have been at NAKOA since 2013 If you could have one superpower what would it be? To breathe underwater and fulfill my dream of being a mermaid Whats your favorite food to indulge in? Chocolate chip cookies or french fries
Surf Smart, Prevent Injury
Surfing is not the first thing you think of when considering sports-related injuries. However, it has its fair-share of complications. Surfing poses risks of concussion, head injury, and even spinal fractures. Although these injuries are scary, they are much less common and not necessarily preventable with preparation (other than looking out for nearby kooks). Many musculoskeletal injuries, on the other hand, are preventable. This blog outlines some simple preemptive steps you can take to protect yourself from sprains, strains, and worse. Mobility! Mobility! Mobility! The BEST thing you can do for your
4 Exercises to Increase Your Power on a Bike
Whether you are a competitive cyclist, weekend mountain bike warrior, freestyle BMX rider or casual beach cruiser rider, it is very important to put POWER into those pedals! From a biomechanical standpoint, most of this power will be generated from HIP EXTENSION, and the main engines for hip extension are the GLUTES. When addressing Glute development for any kind of cyclist, it is important to focus on both: A. POWER - ability to produce force quickly B. STRENGTH - amount of force that can be produced Another reality is that many people who prioritize some
The Bro Deal with Todd Clever
Captain America, Rugby Fabio, Tom Selleck….the nicknames go on and on. But that typically comes when you are the face of USA Rugby for over a decade, arguably the most decorated Eagle ever, and your play on the field is as ferocious as your Lion’s mane. Todd Clever is also a great dad and one of the most fun blokes to hang with, and I am proud to call him my friend. Initiation of the Bro Deal About 10 years ago I was a personal trainer aspiring to break into the world
Training with a Pro Skater: Ryan Sheckler
As a strength and conditioning coach, I have had the opportunity to work with some extremely gifted athletes. One of the most impressive athletes that I have had the pleasure of working with is Ryan Sheckler. In the sport of skateboarding, Ryan has proven himself not only to be one of the best in the world but one of the best of all time. Ryan won gold medals in the 2003, 2008 and 2010 X games. He won silver medals in 2006 and 2012 and took the bronze in
The Four Performance Qualities EVERY Skateboarder Needs
Skateboarding can be an extremely entertaining sport to watch- these wiry humans spinning through the air, grinding on rails and flipping their boards in seemingly impossible ways. Even the SOUND of skating seems to be quite pleasing to the ears. (check out our boy Tom Schaar winning the recent Vans Park Series Event at the 2017 Australian Open) What few fans of skating realize, however, is the BRUTAL TOLL it takes on their bodies. From concussions, broken bones, soft tissue injuries and skin lacerations, these stereotyped “skate rats” are much
How to Prevent Back Pain from your Golf Game
Golf is a highly skillful and patient sport, yet requires a high demand on the athlete’s body. A majority of golfers, from weekend warriors to professional, have experienced some form of back pain. Due to the explosive rotational movement of the golf swing, there is a significant amount of stress placed on the body, particularly the spine. Golfers also spend a considerable amount of time in a forward bent position while putting, adding stress to the back. Combine all of the stress along with hundreds of repetitive motions, and it
Easy Home Training Tips for Golfers
Golf is a sport that requires control, flexibility, power, feel- and let’s be honest- some luck is always nice! While I can’t help you out when it comes to luck, I can give you a few techniques and explanations for how to improve your physical attributes and skill set to give you the best chance of success moving forward. Before beginning any program, it is best to make sure you are cleared for exercise with no pre-existing conditions or injuries that could lead to pain or further injury. After being
Coaching and Sport Science Insights on Surfing
Your NAKOA team sent a new newsletter out packed with a ton of info you'll want to read about how we prepare our pro surfers for a long competition season. Learn how 2016 Quiksilver Pro France champion Keanu Asing gets ahead of the physical and mental challenges of a grueling surf season with NAKOA Performance Director Ryan Gallop. Plus, learn 7 great exercises to prevent shoulder injuries and keep you ready for the next set. Check out the latest Sport Science newsletter here.