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================================================= Adaptive Sports & Recreation ================================================= October 20, 2004 Vol. 1, Issue 2 Stephen Michael Kerr, Publisher stevekerr@ev1.net Copyright 2004, Stephen Michael Kerr. ================================================= Privacy Policy ================================================= Your privacy is very important to me. Your e-mail address will never be sold, shared, or distributed with anyone. You may forward copies of this newsletter to friends and family, and encourage them to subscribe. If you feel you have received this ezine in error, you may unsubscribe at any time; information on how to unsubscribe is at the bottom of this ezine. ================================================= In This Issue ================================================= - From The Publisher - Spotlight: Rolling Into The Mainstream, by Stephen Michael Kerr - Profile: Patrick Anderson: Wheelchair Basketball Star by Stephen Michael Kerr - In The News - Keeping Fit: Want to Do Everything Better? Build A Strong Core by Dianne Villano - Your Feedback - On Deck - Contact Information ================================================= From The Publisher ================================================= Welcome to Adaptive Sports & Recreation, the free ezine delivered to your inbox every other Wednesday. You'll read about playing baseball without being able to see, or water ski despite being in a wheelchair. You'll also find helpful links to organizations that support these and other similar activities. Your feedback is always welcome. Please e-mail me at: stevekerr@ev1.net My wife and I took our 11-year-old son, James, to his first University of Texas football game. He became hooked on the Longhorns last season, and has been dying to go to a game since. So, I got some tickets to the game against Rice a few weeks ago. The seats weren't bad: upper deck, Row 15, 40-yard line. James, who is sighted, had a good view of the field. A few days before the game, he made an orange and white sign with the words, "Go Texas", and each time the Longhorns scored (which was often), he would hold it up and cheer as loud as he could. I hadn't been to a Ut game since I covered them as a sportscaster 15 years ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I brought my Walkman along so I could follow the action. James had a blast. I think he liked the pregame and halftime shows almost as much as the game itself. I enjoyed it for another reason. Almost every dad dreams of taking his son to his first game, and it was so nice to bond with my son, and watch him with pride as he held up his sign and cheered his heart out. The memories will last a lifetime for both of us. Hopefully, this first experience won't be the last. ------------------------------------------------- Stephen Michael Kerr is the publisher of Adaptive Sports & Recreation, as well as a radio broadcaster and freelance writer in Austin, Texas. Blind since birth, Stephen has written various articles and given numerous speeches on disability awareness. ------------------------------------------------- ================================================= Feature Ad ================================================= *************************** Need to raise your healthy I.Q.? New Body News is for you! Inside the New Body News and Wellness Letter, you'll find: Motivation; the latest trends in personal growth and inspiration. Interaction; freedom of speech to express your healthy opinion. And more! Enroll now and build a better you. http://www.new-body-news.com ================================================= Spotlight ================================================= Rolling Into The Mainstream by Stephen Michael Kerr Ask any disabled athlete if they would jump at the chance to compete against able-bodied athletes, and they would probably give you an emphatic "Yes!" Whether it's crossing the finish line in a track meet, or kayaking on the river, having the opportunity to participate in the same athletic activity as an able-bodied person is the goal of disabled athletes everywhere. That's also the goal of World Wheelchair Sports (WWS), an organization dedicated to providing outdoor activities for people with mobility impairments. Founded in 1990 and based in Eugene, Oregon, WWS believes physical fitness is vital to everyone, regardless of disability. People of all ages throughout the Pacific Northwest take part in track and field, road racing, cycling, kayaking, and other sports and recreational activities. Best of all, many of these activities have been set up to allow disabled individuals to compete with and against their able-bodied peers. The track program, led by WWS Executive Director and former Paralympic track coach Kevin Hansen, has produced many Olympic and Paralympic medallists who have set world and national records. "Some of our junior athletes have competed with their standing peers at regular high school track and field meets, and have earned Varsity letters," Hansen explains. Over the past several years, WWS has coordinated various wheelchair track events, including the first ever exhibition race at the 2002 State High School Track Championships, and the annual Oregon Regional wheelchair track and field championships. Another sport which allows disabled athletes to join their able-bodied counterparts is sailing. WWS, in conjunction with Disabled Sailing of Oregon, offers both accompanied and solo sailing activities and lessons. "We currently have two boats in our program," Hansen says. "One is a 21-foot keelboat shared with the local Sea Explorer troop. The other craft is a 25-foot Santana 525 sloop purchased in 1999 with a grant from the Meyer Memorial Trust." Wheels In Nature, or WIN, brings children and adults in wheelchairs together with those who aren't through muscle powered outdoor adventures. Each summer, WIN conducts youth camps in kayaking, wheelchair court sports and racing, sailing, fishing, hand cycling, and a special Arts In Nature Day. Longer outings include day trips to wildlife refuges and overnight campouts in some of Oregon's national forests. Funding for WWS is provided through membership and entry fees, donations, and grants. Members come from many different backgrounds and levels of disability. Hansen, who became a quadriplegic following a snow skiing accident, thought his athletic days were over until he was able to acquire one of the first lightweight aluminum sports chairs to be mass-produced in the U.S. "That chair got me into road races and track meets, and was the first of many equipment upgrades," he says. Some participants are older people who suffered a stroke or severe arthritis, while others were born with disabling conditions that left them paraplegics or double amputees. But thanks to the programs of World Wheelchair Sports, these individuals can experience the thrill of athletic competition, or the freedom to enjoy recreational activities in a more relaxed environment. The chance to share these experiences with those who are not in a wheelchair gives them an even greater feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. To find out more information about World Wheelchair Sports, visit their website at: www.efn.org/~wwscoach * If you have an idea for a spotlight on a particular adaptive sport or organization, send it to: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Spotlight" in the subject line. ================================================= Profile ================================================= Patrick Anderson, Wheelchair Basketball Star by Stephen Michael Kerr Winning one Paralympic gold medal is challenging enough. Winning two in consecutive Paralympics is even more difficult. But that's exactly what Patrick Anderson and his Canadian Wheelchair Basketball team did, whipping Austrailia, 70-53 in the finals Sept. 28 to capture their second gold in as many Paralympics. Regarded as one of the best players in the world by his peers and the media, Anderson helped Canada completely dominate the Austrailians from start to finish. Canada, winners of eight straight, led 21-14 after the first quarter, then took a 37-26 lead into the locker room at halftime and never looked back. Anderson, named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, poured in 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the finals. He also showed his crisp passing ability by dishing out seven assists. Teammate and close friend Joey Johnson led all scorers with 15 points. "It is a strange feeling, a strange emotion," Anderson says of winning the gold. "It is like being inside a bubble. We needed to win, and we did." As a kid, Wheelchair Basketball was the last thing on Anderson's mind. Born Aug. 22, 1979 in Edmonton, Alberta, he took up the sport many able-bodied kids in his country played: ice hockey. He was enjoying the rewards of the sport, and the joys of being a kid. But all that abruptly changed. One day, when Anderson was nine, he was struck by a drunk driver at a picnic, and became paralyzed for life. Instead of allowing the accident to permanently end his physically active lifestyle, Anderson showed the same courage and tenacity he displays on the court. Once he became involved in Wheelchair Basketball, he was hooked. "I started playing, and I liked it," he says simply. His 15-year career as a player is impressive. Besides his two Paralympic gold medals, Anderson took Most Valuable Player honors and a gold in both the 1997 and 2001 Junior World Championships, a bronze in the 1998 Gold Cup World Championships, and has won a combined eight championships with Ontario and Twin City. He has also played in Brisbane, and currently plays for a team in Germany. Anderson downplays his role during the tournament, preferring to give credit to his teammates. "What we did in Athens is a result of team effort," he insists. "All players worked very hard to get this result." When he isn't dominating on the basketball court, Anderson enjoys playing music. "I very much like singing and playing the guitar," he says. "I have made some discussions (about (a music career), but nothing is certain yet. We'll see in the future." As to that future, Anderson plans to spend some time with his family in Canada before returning to play in Germany. Though he is thrilled to have won two Paralympic medals, he has an even bigger agenda: promoting Wheelchair Basketball. "Our goal as a team was to play well," he says. "We wanted people to see our success, realize what Wheelchair Basketball is all about and take it to the next level, hoping that other teams will follow. "I think we did that here, and I am proud of it." ------------------------------------------------- For complete coverage of the 2004 Paralympic Games, visit: http://www.athens2004.com/en/ ------------------------------------------------- * Have an idea for a profile? Just send an e-mail to: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Profile" in the subject line. ================================================= Feature Ad ================================================= Please rate this Ezine at the Cumuli Ezine Finder http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/vote.html?pub_code=sporec AOL Users Click Here ================================================= In The News ================================================= Expense-Paid Camp For Disabled By Jonathan Wiesel If you're a disabled athlete, disabled wannabe athlete, or know someone who fits either category, there's an opportunity to attend an adaptive ski camp in Sun Valley, Idaho. For the past three years, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports has organized and run a XC recruitment camp, assisted by the US. Disabled Cross-Country Ski Team. Goals are to promote XC skiing within the disabled community and general population, and to create a pool of athletes who can compete for spots on the Team. In the last three years, Sun Valley Adaptive Sports has placed two people on the Team and currently has two more serious contenders. It's helpful to have basic XC skills. Disabilities include amputees, paraplegics, and people who are visually impaired. The five-day programs takes place in January; camps are limited to six athletes. Expenses, including travel, ground transportation, tickets, equipment, coaching, and some meals, are covered. For details, contact Joan Scheingraber at (208) 788-1808 (jazzsch@aol.com). ----------------------------------------------------------- Jonathan Wiesel writes on winter sports and guest ranches. He's also a cross-country ski and snowshoe guide. ----------------------------------------------------------- * If you know of an adaptive sports event for this section, send it to: stevekerr@ev1.net and put "News" in the subject line. ================================================= Keeping Fit ================================================= Want to Do Everything Better ? Build A Strong Core by: Dianne Villano Core strength and stability is increasingly recognized as a vital part of fitness. So what is it and how do you go about getting it? The past five years have seen growing interest in resistance, or weight training programs, aimed at achieving core strength and stability. While some of us might think apples when we hear the word 'core', the word certainly doesn't refer to a throw-away aspect of fitness. What is core strength? The muscles of the 'core' are primarily those of the trunk and pelvis. The core muscles stabilize the spine and effectively move the body with varying loads. If the trunk muscles are weakened, then posture and movement can be affected significantly. The core muscles are necessary for effective transfer of energy from large to small muscle groups - especially when performing sports-specific movements. In recent years there has been a shift to an emphasis on 'functional' training, i.e. making training as realistic as possible so it has direct applicability to a particular sport. This type of training attempts to anticipate and mimic movements that occur during sport, such as twisting and turning. It is believed that training for core strength and stability can lower the risk of injury and increase power application for sports performance. Strengthening the core muscles of the trunk and pelvis provides a stable platform for the actions of the shoulder, arm and leg muscles. Pilates exercises are a popular and effective way to develop core strength and stability. Muscles of the trunk and pelvis - Some of the most important muscles of the core are the deeper abdominal muscles that wrap and protect the spine; the abdominal muscles that run along the front and sides of the abdomen; the erector muscles of the lower back; and the muscles of the pelvic floor and hips. Having a so-called 'six pack' of abdominal muscles does not necessarily mean having good core strength and stability. Some of the most important 'core' muscles actually lie underneath the six-pack and, together with the erector muscles of the spine, help maintain good posture and balance during daily activity. This means that just doing sit-ups for the abs will not usually be enough to develop core strength. Training for core strength and stability The major aim of core strength training is to perform exercises that closely resemble specific movements during a particular sport. Emphasis should be placed on diagonal and rotational movements, and promoting balance and strength by performing exercises standing or sitting on different (including unstable) surfaces such as balance beams, wobble boards, foam rollers, and fit balls. Training should emphasis a balance between developing agonist (prime movers) and antagonist muscles. In many sports, movements are performed while balancing on one leg, or shifting the body weight from one leg to another, and so exercises mimicking these actions should be incorporated into the training program. Examples include a kicking a football while on the run and pushing hard while cycling up steep hills. Exercises to improve core strength Since there are several different trunk, back and pelvic muscles that make up the 'core', it is important to perform a variety of exercises that target these muscle groups. Core strength can be developed by performing:Pilates exercises, Standard abdominal exercises (such as sit ups and crunches) Fit ball exercises (including roll outs, walk outs, sit ups, leg lifts, and jack knifes) Resistance training exercises with an emphasis on deadlift, squat and lunge exercises, as well as 'power' exercises using 'Olympic'-style lifts (cleans, clean and press, and push press) Medicine ball training (overhead throwing to a partner, side throw, rugby passing, lunge exercises holding the medicine ball above the head) Balancing exercises on a wobble board, balance beam, or foam roller (standing on one or both feet, walking forwards and backwards, with eyes open or eyes closed). Although not absolutely necessary, these exercises provide another level of stimulation and are encouraged whenever there is access to such specialist equipment About The Author Dianne Villano is a personal fitness instructor certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine with over 17 years experience. Dianne specializes in weight loss programs and programs for beginners. For more articles or free fitness tools visit www.custombodiestampabay.com. Copyright ?© 2002 -2004CUSTOM BODIES, INC. All Rights Reserved. ================================================= Your Feedback ================================================= Your questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. Just e-mail me at: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Feedback" as the subject. Your e-mail address will not be published, and only your first name or initials will be used. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. ~*~*~*~*~ I have just signed up for your newsletter, and will forward the info to the rest of my family. I hope your newsletter reaches many, and becomes an instrument of change. Carol ================================================= On Deck ================================================= Here's a peek at what's coming up in the next issue. * Our "Spotlight" feature will focus on Ski for Light, an annual event that brings together blind skiiers from around the country for a week of cross-country skiing and fun social activities. * Blind Paralympic runner Joseph Aukward may not have taken home a gold medal in Athens this past September, but having his family present to cheer him on was just as meaningful. Read his inspiring story in the next "Profile". * If you think the quest to stay in shape is too overwhelming, you'll want to read our next "Keeping Fit". Guest contributor Laura Turner interviews her brother, Tom, who is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of spina bifida. Together, they outline three principles that will help all of us break down the barriers that prevent us from reaching our fitness goals. ================================================= Contact Information ================================================= Stephen Michael Kerr, Publisher stevekerr@ev1.net 1218 Hughmont Dr. Pflugerville, Tx 78660 Subscriptions to Adaptive Sports & Recreation are free. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: 41809-subscribe@zinester.com To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to: 41809-unsubscribe@zinester.com ================================================= Disclaimer ================================================= Although we believe our advertisers to be honest in their business practices, we cannot be held responsible for the products or services they offer. Please make sure to check out all offers before you buy. http://archives.zinester.com/41809/28395.htmlhttp://archives.zinester.com/41809 |
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