Sport and Exercise

Pitching a 3" diameter baseball 46 feet (for Little League) or 60 feet, 6 inches over a target that is 8 inches wide requires an accuracy of 1/2 to 1 degree. Throwing it fast, with the pressure of a game situation makes this task one of the hardest in sports. So, how do we do it? And how can we learn to do it more consistently?

We often take for granted all of the logic and skills that human athletes demonstrate every day. Our kids can easily surpass the performance of robots, even as young as 3 years old. But HOW we are able to do these tasks so easily?

Can rugby claim to be a sport that has relevance outside of it's core heartlands? As it develops, will it be able to maintain those things (such as respect for referees) that allow its supporters to claim a moral high ground over sports such as football?

Early research into withdrawal from sport focused on problems faced by young athletes retiring from full-time sport. Issues were identified which can affect the quality of the transition, laying the groundwork for later research into the retirement of professional athletes, and influencing approaches being taken by sports federations and others to helping sportsmen facing retirement. This article examines the main trends and offers some conclusions.

There's a word in sport psychology that always generates a snigger whenever I introduce it to a client and especially so when I use it at a workshop. That word is 'arousal'. So what is it, and why should you bother about it if you want to go faster?

Many of you in motor racing and motor sport will be unsure of what sport psychology is and if this is the case, then you'll certainly be unsure of how it can help you go faster more often. This article will address these two questions.

The gym is the place where you can attain every fitness goal you desire. It certainly is not the only way to achieve the benefits of exercise but is certainly the perfect place to do it.If you are a regular gym member have a look to see if you are guilty of these common errors.

Following on from part one last week I am going to introduce to you some smaller but equally common failings in the gym.If you are a regular gym member have a look to see if you are guilty of these common errors.

Less than 3% of people write down their goals. We are statistically more likely to spend time organising exactly what we want from the supermarket instead of working out what we want from life. Crazy but true. The chances are that you commit most of your working day to helping your boss to achieve their goals, instead of spending time working on your own. One way to enhance the quality of your life is to learn how to apply an effective goal-setting program. These tips will help you on your way to doing this.

Confidence is a universal concept in modern sport, and a key factor in determining Here are some techniques and philosophies to help boost and raise confidence in the domain of sport.

Active stretching refers to a type of flexibility aimed at increasing the functional movement of the muscles. It relates to the distance you can actively move your limbs and stretch your muscles during a movement. It is different from traditional stretching (static stretching) because you are not holding the postures for any duration nor using any external object for support but your own muscle strength.

Anyone working in sports therapy will be well aware of how common it is for athletes to injure themselves. Sports therapists also understand that the severity of physical injury is not the only factor determining recovery. Some athletes adjust well to having an injury, whereas others don't. What makes the difference is how the athlete psychologically interprets and processes the fact of the injury.

Strapping and taping techniques are some of the most important and most visible skills a physiotherapist, sports therapist or athletic trainer working with sports men and women can have.

The most fundamental key to aerobic activities is getting out of breath. It is essential you examine your exercise to see if it is achieving this. In my experience I have met many people who do hours of swimming but never get even slightly out of breath, or play hours of tennis but say to me they cannot lose weight.

Common sports drinks supply carbohydrates, as well as fluids and electrolytes lost through sweat. However, more recent research suggests that adding protein to the mix may further hasten recovery, and that chocolate milk has an optimal ratio of carbohydrates to protein to help refuel tired muscles.

Zara Phillips (, MBE is the second child and only daughter of HRH The Princess Anne, Princess Royal and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips), or more accurately her horse Toytown, has been withdrawn from the Beijing Olympics due to injury.

Find out the latest syndicated news from The Beijing Olympics. Follow the US, Australian and British Team news, and get general news as it unfolds in the build up and the Games themselves.

Multinationals and Chinese corporations have paid a total of $850 million to be official 'sponsors of the Beijing and Turin Olympic Games. One of the primary aims is to gain a foothold among China's huge middle class. But research by the China Marketing Research Group, suggests that on the measures of brand awareness, brand loyalty and sales, Olympic sponsorship may not be justified.

Rugby union was traditionally played by amateurs who trained like amateurs. Since the advent of professionalism which has trickled down throughout the sport it is now common to see rugby players training in their own time. But the new found enthusiasm for fitness may not paralleled by their knowledge about how to train.

This is a very simple, cheap alternative recipe to make your own sports drink and avoid paying over the odds for branded drinks.