Formi, formi, formidable.....

la recent incheiatele CM Shanghai 2011 NU S-A CONSEMNAT NICIUN
SPORTIV DOPAT [zero doping]..... dar nici prea multe 'recorduri'[tot un fel de 'zero']; ceva nu-i clar in 'denmark'...., cum ar zice 'uncle Will'!

dar sunt multe relatari ds. puzderia de intreceri internationale care mai de care....

mergi pana la coada.....

Swimming World Newsletter - 2010-2011 NISCA High School All-Americans Announced - August 23, 2011

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 8:09 PM

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A Semi-Monthly Wrap-up of News from Around the World by Sports Publications Intl. August 23, 2011

NEWS!!!! Taken from Lane9 www.SwimmingWorldMagazine.com/lane9/ FINA Reports Zero Doping Infractions from 14th FINA World Championships in Shanghai LAUSANNE, Switzerland. FOLLOWING the successful 14th FINA World Championships, held in Shanghai (CHN) from July 16-31, 2011 FINA announces that 362 samples were collected during the competition for doping tests. Full Story! FINA World Junior Championships: Meet Comes to Close With Assault on Record Books LIMA, Peru. THE FINA World Junior Championships came to a close with another meet-record onslaught. USA's Jacob Pebley led three swimmers under the meet record in the men's 200 back with a winning 1:58.73. That time cleared the 1:59.67 set by Kurt Basset in 2008. Japan's Kosuke Hagino (1:58.94) and USA's Ryan Murphy (1:59.63) also bettered the former meet standard with second and third-place outings. Full Story! World University Games, Swimming: Mixed Bag of Winning Countries Conclude Meet SHENZHEN, China. PLENTY of different countries all earned gold on the final night of competition at the World University Games in Shenzhen. The meet took place in long course meter format. Full Story! Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships: Jessica Long Sets Fourth World Record in Five Tries EDMONTON, Canada. THE United States stacked another 15 medals onto its tally on the fourth night of competition at the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships. Full Story! USA Swimming Long Course Junior Nationals: Kathleen Ledecky Closes Juniors With Meet Record PALO ALTO, California. THE final night of action at the USA Swimming Long Course Junior Nationals featured another meet record en route to closing the curtain on a swift 2011 edition. Full Story! NCAA Approves Rules Changes For 2011-12 Season INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana. THE NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel recently approved several new rules that will be in effect for the 2011-12 season for collegiate swimming and diving. Full Story! Janet Evans Lowers Masters World Record in 400 Freestyle MISSION VIEJO, California. IN her continuing quest to participate in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, Janet Evans lowered her own Masters world record in the 400 freestyle last weekend at the Southern Pacific Masters Association's long course championships in Mission Viejo, Calif. Full Story! 2010-2011 NISCA High School All-Americans Announced PHOENIX, Arizona. The 2010-2011 NISCA High School All-Americans have just been announced and can be viewed on the Swimming World website. View the All-American List A3 Performance Poll of the Week PHOENIX, Arizona. Swimming World wants to know what you think and offers you the chance to participate in our weekly poll. Watch video recap of last week's poll Take this week's poll Nick McCrory, Cassidy Krug, Troy Dumais, Kristian Ipsen Close Down U.S. Diving Nationals With Wins LOS ANGELES, California. NICK McCrory (Chapel Hill, N.C./Durham, N.C.) and Cassidy Krug (Coraopolis, Pa.) closed out the 2011 AT&T National Diving Championships with individual titles on men's 10-meter and women's 3-meter on Sunday, and Troy Dumais (Ventura, Calif./Austin, Texas) and Kristian Ipsen (Clayton, Calif.) won the men's synchronized 3-meter gold. Full Story! Jamie Patrick Successfully Completes 111-Mile River Swim SACRAMENTO, California. LAST night, Jamie Patrick completed a 31-hour swim of the 111-mile Sacramento River, according to the Sacramento Bee. He swam from Princeton, California to Sacramento's Tower Bridge. Full Story! London Olympics Test Event Review, An Insider's Look at the Open Water Race Site LONDON, England. THE London International 10k Marathon swim has now finished as most everyone I know is just getting home from Saturday morning practice. The day began in London with some rain and then race organizers were quite happy when the clouds parted just prior to the race start and the course was in the sun for most of the day. Full Story! USA High School News and Results PHOENIX, Arizona. GET the results of your favorite school in our High School News section of our website. USA High School News! The Morning Swim Show Library - View current and past editions of The Morning Swim Show Click Here Reaction Time - Read what others have to say about today's top stories in the world of swimming Click Here Subscribe to the Swimming World RSS Feed Click Here What you'll find in the September 2011 issue of Swimming World Feature Articles: LET THE HYPE BEGIN! After what took place at the World Championships in Shanghai, the hype for London will now build and build,eventually hitting a crescendo when July rolls around. Purchase this Issue What you'll find in the September 2011 issue of Swimming Technique Feature Articles: HOW THEY TRAIN TESSA DOVER and ANNIE PERIZZOLO Purchase this Issue What you'll find in the September 2011 issue of SWIM Magazine Feature Articles: DRYSIDE TRAINING Swim Exercises to Do at Home Purchase this Issue Swimming World On-line Subscription Special or call 800-511-3029

de ultima ora.... - click aici

si mai nou....- aici

Parinti: totul a pornit de la 'multumesc' spus de un chinez

.........azi, in parcul Herastrau, impreuna cu sotia, am asistat la ceva care nu mi s-a mai intamplat si anume: toti cei care raspandesc fluturasi cu reclame, prin diferite locuri, metrou, parcuri, pe strada..., parca o fac stresati sau in sila, timizi etc..
Domnul acesta chinez si arata chiar bine imbracat... mi-a dat pliantul sau, eu l-am luat iar el a spus: 'multumesc'; asa ceva nu mi s-a mai intamplat vreodata si poate doar in filmele cu asiatici bine educati, am mai vazut asa ceva... dar era in film iar acum era pe viu....

Uf. Ce departe suntem de omul evoluat si bine educat.... Incercati sa parcurgeti paginile pliantului...., se merita !

Interesant pentru parinti...

deschide si ve-i afla lucruri interesante + mai ai ceva la sfarsit...:

Arta secreta a parintilor ... de succes

Thursday, August 18, 2011 4:05 PM

From:

"Infospeed"

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"... Am vazut oameni care aplica aceste principii ocazional,
dar ... nu mi-am imaginat ca sunt atat de puternice!"

Acesta este unul dintre cele mai puternice cursuri pe care le-am vazut vreodata, evidentiaza metode (care stiu ca functioneaza) pas cu pas, intr-un fel care sa fie pe intelesul tuturor.
Este unul din cursurile care iti ofera acele "momenta aha" si muta lucrurile la nivelul urmator in ceea ce priveste eforturile in educatia copiilor.

Domnul Profesor a facut o treaba extraordinara cu acest curs, si vi-l recomand cu caldura.

Toate detaliile le gasiti aici:
http://parenting.infospeed.ro
Cu drag,

Alexandru Bordea

click aici ......

si - aici:

Un material postat in 2009....

... care poate sa ramana actual;
totul este cum 'abordezi' problema..../ vezi si finalul.

010

[Au incetat intrecerile CM Roma 2009, cam fiecare din 'actori' trece la 'hibernarea' meritata = se numeste 'tranzitie' sau 'refacere' sau ....

In aceste momente atentia trece de la sportivul campion la antrenorul sau

Ce inseamana sa ajungi bun antrenor.... este el un 'ceva' unic si mare creator individual...., este... stiti ce este: este varful unui 'aisberg' / varianta moderna, deoarece un antrenor, luat la singular, care sa faca singur campioni pe banda sau recorduri in serie... acest tip de antrenor a cam disparut. A disparut din marile competitii - dar exista persistent la baza. baza are nevoie de mii de antrenori... care fiecare sa vrea sa fie el cel mai bun...

Am fost intrebat de un 'admirator al exprimarilor mele'... cum as putea sa-l 'fac antrenor', evident unul bun...; raspunsul meu, spontan si chiar de care eu m-am 'speriat': antrenor te faci singur !

Daca inveti tot ce este de invatat.. nu-i suficient.., daca ai facut pe sportivul de mare clasa... nu-i deajuns..., trebuie sa faci ceva, de care tu crezi ca este 'cel mai formidabil lucrul de pe Pamant' si ca tine nu mai exista nimeni .....; este o doza de 'nebunie curata' in acest palier si macar de-am avea asemenea 'nebuni' in mai toate domeniile vietii ns.

Clasicul antrenor ramane in minte ns. ca fiind cel cu nume si prenume, club, tara dar 'antrenorul modern' este o .... echipa' !

O echipa de pregatire pentru marea performanta...; iata ca 'secretu' reusitei nu mai depinde de individualism ci de colectivism.., intra in sfera celor care socializeaza usor si eficient, care evita galceava ieftina, contradictiile inutile si colaboreaza de la acel prim 'brainstorming' la gasirea celor mai bune cai de afirmare... in fond de afirmare a unei scoli de inot, a unei natiuni in plina dezvoltare globala (alta cale nu exista= globalizare fara pierderea identitatii.., o adevarata arta, migaloasa, sireata !).

Nu-i nimic nou sub Soare...! 'Echipele' care formeaza brigazile stiintifice de pregatire au existat de multi ani; cei care le-au botezat astfel au facut-o, la inceput, din simpla grandomanie sau in ideia de impresiona pe 'cineva de la centru', care, odata convins, marea bugetul, buget mereu in criza....

Este adevarat ca membrii unei asemenea echipe, erau slab motivati ...; in vremurile apuse, eventual 'doctorul' mai apuca sa insoetasca sportivul peste hotare .; biochimistul, psihologul, fizioterapiistul (asta era teoretic, ultinul conational al sportivului ns. cu care se mai intalnea inaintea confruntarii... si banuiti ce se pierdea...), erau inlocuiti de 'tovarasi' de munca la impartirea privilegiilor (de cele mai multe ori se intampla ca metodistul, antrenorul federal, oameni direct implicati in rezultat ... ramaneau acasa cu speranta ingrata ca se vor putea bucura de reusita sportivului lor....; asa era la noi' ... la restul... nu era asa: cine avea raspunderea 'mergea pana la capat' [ 'fie venea fie incununat de lauri... fie, venea pe scuturi..']

Cred ca am scris deja prea multe ds. ceea ce a fost, dar viitorul apropiat, noau, ce ne rezerva...?

Pai iata ce ne rezerva...: imediat dupa CM Roma, unde cu totii am considerat ca 'ostilitatile' s-au incheiat, are loc in USA Openul lor... iata rezultatele primelor 3 zile de concurs, care mai continua...; oare cati pretendenti la 'titlul' de antrenor mai sunt acum 'ready' de start..?

comparatile cu Camp. Coco de anul acesta, 2011, cand FINA a respectat regula de a nu mai permite folosirea costumelor 'super-man' ...

2009 U.S. Open Swimming Championships Federal Way, WA

Event 9 Women's 100m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 52.07 STEFFEN Britta GER Roma 31 JUL 2009 25.46

ERNDL Erika SWIMFL 4 54.59 1 CR (4) 26.81 0.81 27.78
HARDY Jessica TROJCA 5 55.07 2 0.48 (1) 26.20 0.72 28.87
WOODWARD Samantha STANPC 2 55.37 3 0.78 (2) 26.67 0.75 28.70

Event 10 Men's 100m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 46.91 CIELO FILHO Cesar BRA Roma 30 JUL 2009 22.17

BRUNELLI Nicholas SDAAZ 4 48.52 1 CR (1) 23.08 0.66 25.44
FEIGEN James TXLAST 5 49.25 2 0.73 (3) 23.45 0.72 25.80
LOWE Matthew TXLAST 3 49.38 3 0.86 (4) 23.62 0.67 25.76

Event 4 Men's 200m Breaststroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 2:07.31 SPRENGER Christian AUS Roma 30 JUL 2009 28.91 1:01.51 1:34.49

LOVELACE Robert NACSE 3 2:10.38 1 CR (1) 1:03.36 (1) 30.06,33.30 33.49 33.53/0.73
OPELL Aaron IUIN 4 2:10.63 2 (4) 1:04.40 (8) 30.63,33.77 33.54 32.69/0.75

Event 2 Men's 200m Butterfly Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 1:51.51 PHELPS Michael Roma 29 JUL 2009 24.76 52.88 1:21.93

SANO Hidemasa TROJCA 4 1:55.72 1 54.93 (1) 25.75,29.18 30.12 30.67/0.64
BOLLIER Robert KCBMV 5 1:55.87 2 55.63 (3) 26.16,29.47 30.21 30.03/0.72

Event 11 Women's 200m Backstroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 2:04.81 COVENTRY Kirsty ZIM Roma 1 AUG 2009 29.44 1:00.91 1:32.81

MEYER Margaret WAWI 4 2:09.53 1 1:01.92 (1) 29.71,32.21 33.46 34.15/0.65
BERNARD Escarlata ESP 2:10.68 2 1:04.27 (5) 31.28,32.99 33.25 33.16/0.73

Event 3 Women's 200m Breaststroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 2:20.12 PIERSE Annamay Roma 30 JUL 2009 32.03 1:07.28 1:43.42

FREEMAN Katlin SBACCA 5 2:22.51 1 CR 1:10.73 (5) 33.66 37.07 35.87 35.91/0.66

WANLAND Ashley WAWI 4 2:24.29 2 1:09.43 (1) 32.77 36.66 37.33 37.53/0.77

Event 1 Women's 200m Butterfly Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 2:03.41 SCHIPPER Jessicah AUS Roma 30 JUL 2009 28.21 1:00.25 1:32.23

BREEDEN Elaine STANPC 4 2:08.07 1 1:00.44 (1) 28.06 32.38 33.30 34.33/0.72
TAYLOR Andrea KINGPN 2 2:09.60 2 1:01.63 (2) 28.90 32.73 33.70 34.27/0.87

Event 12 Men's 200m Backstroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 1:51.92 PEIRSOL Aaron Roma 31 JUL 2009 26.52 54.90 1:23.30

THOMAN Nicholas UN01MD 3 1:54.59 1 CR 55.75 (1) 26.87 28.88 29.57 29.27/0.64

Event 8 Men's 400m Individual Medley Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 4:03.84 PHELPS Michael Beijing (CHN) 10 AUG 2008 25.73 54.92 1:26.29 1:56.49

BROWN Jack FORDAZ 3 4:12.58 1 CR /0.73
100m 0.58.16 DELFIN = 23% // 200m 2:03.77 SPATE = 25% // 300m 3:13.72 BRAS = 28% // 400M 4:12.58 CRAUL = 23%

Event 11 Women's 200m Backstroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 2:04.81 COVENTRY Kirsty ZIM Roma 1 AUG 2009 29.44 1:00.91 1:32.81

MEYER Margaret WAWI 4 2:09.53 1 1:01.92 (1) 29.71 32.21 33.46 34.15/0.65

Event 7 Women's 400m Individual Medley Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 4:29.45 RICE Stephanie AUS Beijing (CHN) 10 AUG 2008 1:01.47 2:09.83 3:27.25

MUELLER Justine MACNC 6 4:40.61 , 1, / 0.79 100m 1:02.63 200m 2:19.31 300m 3:36.28 400m 4:40.61

Event 5 4 AUG 2009 ­ 15:12 Women's 800m Freestyle

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 8:14.10 ADLINGTON Rebecca GBR Beijing (CHN) 16 AUG 2008

MCDERMOTT Amber TXLAST 5 8:27.90 1 0.84 5 1993

Event 6 4 AUG 2009 ­15:20 Men's 1500m Freestyle

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 14:34.56 HACKETT Grant AUS Fukuoka (JPN) 29 JUL 2001

PRINSLOO Troy ABSCGA 5 15:10.62 1 0.79 5 1985

Event 18 Men's 100m Butterfly Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 49.82 PHELPS Michael Roma 1 AUG 2009 23.36

MAZZURANA Luca UN01HI 4 52.78 1 (4) 24.78 0.68 28.00

Event 16 Men's 400m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 3:40.07 BIEDERMANN Paul GER Roma 26 JUL 2009 54.42 1:51.02 2:47.17 3:40.07

LA TOURETTE Chad MVNCA 3 3:48.26 1 0.81 100m ﴾3﴿ 55.48 200m ﴾1﴿ 1:54.00 300m ﴾1﴿ 2:52.15

Event 15 Women's 400m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 3:59.15 PELLEGRINI Federica Roma 26 JUL 2009 58.66 1:59.42 2:59.93 3:59.15

MCDERMOTT Amber TXLAST 6 4:08.18 1 0.91 100m ﴾2﴿ 1:00.48 200m ﴾1﴿ 2:03.18 300m ﴾1﴿ 3:06.11

18:43 Women's 100m Butterfly Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 56.06 SJOSTROM Sarah SWE Roma 27 JUL 2009 26.94

Qualifying Time Time Rank Lane
JAMISON Kaylee MINNMN 1989 1 1:01.03

Open day 3 final

Event 18 Men's 100m Butterfly Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split

WR 49.82 PHELPS Michael Roma 1 AUG 2009 23.36

MAZZURANA Luca UN01HI 4 52.78 1 (4) 24.78 0.68 28.00

JOYE Miles MYBSE 5 52.98 2 0.20 (3) 24.66 0.70 28.32

Event 16 Men's 400m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits

WR 3:40.07 BIEDERMANN Paul GER Roma 26 JUL 2009 54.42 1:51.02 2:47.17

LA TOURETTE Chad MVNCA 3 3:48.26 1 0.81100m ﴾3﴿ 55.48200m ﴾1﴿ 1:54.00300m ﴾1﴿ 2:52.15

ROUAULT Sebastien FRA 4 3:48.39 2 0.13 0.73

Event 17 Women's 100m Butterfly Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split

WR 56.06 SJOSTROM Sarah SWE Roma 27 JUL 2009 26.94

BREEDEN Elaine STANPC 4 58.31 1 (1) 27.40 0.70 30.91

FINN Alisa WILDIL 5 58.96 2 0.65 (2) 27.70 0.69 31.26

Event 15 Women's 400m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits

WR 3:59.15 PELLEGRINI Federica Roma 26 JUL 2009 58.66 1:59.42 2:59.93

MCDERMOTT Amber TXLAST 6 4:08.18 1 0.91100m ﴾2﴿ 1:00.48200m ﴾1﴿ 2:03.18 300m ﴾1﴿ 3:06.11

Event 20 Women's 200m Freestyle Final

ecord Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 1:52.98 PELLEGRINI Federica Roma 29 JUL 2009 27.34 55.60 1:24.38

TUCKER Samantha TXLAST 3 1:58.81 1 CR (1) 1:28.53 (2) 58.31 (2) 28.01 0.72
30.30 30.22 30.28
ERNDL Erika SWIMFL 4 1:58.92 2 0.11 (2) 1:28.86 (1) 58.20 (1) 27.92 0.77
30.28 30.66 30.06

vent 21 Men's 200m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 1:42.00 BIEDERMANN Paul GER Roma 28 JUL 2009 24.23 50.12 1:16.30

ITTER Adam FORDAZ 2 1:47.57 1 (1) 1:19.59 (1) 52.24 (1) 24.95 0.76
27.29 27.35 27.98
KLUEH Michael TXLAST 4 1:48.65 2 1.08 (3) 1:21.32 (3) 53.37 (5) 25.77 0.77
27.60 27.95 27.33

Event 22 Women's 100m Breaststroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 1:04.84 SONI Rebecca Roma 27 JUL 2009 31.03

ARDY Jessica TROJCA 3 1:04.45 1 WR (1) 29.80 0.71 34.65
W

Event 23 Men's 100m Breaststroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 58.58 RICKARD Brenton AUS Roma 27 JUL 2009 27.67

SWANDER Kevin IUCPIN 3 59.40 1 CR (1) 27.53 0.67 31.87

Event 24 Women's 100m Backstroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 58.12 SPOFFORTH Gemma GBR Roma 28 JUL 2009 28.71

BOOTSMA Rachel AQJTMN 4 1:00.47 1 (2) 29.43 0.58 31.04

Event 25 Men's 100m Backstroke Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Split WR 51.94 PEIRSOL Aaron Indianapolis 8 JUL 2009 25.35

THOMAN Nicholas UN01MD 4 52.51 1 CR (2) 25.72 0.64 26.79

Event 28 Women's 200m Individual Medley Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 2:06.15 KUKORS Ariana USA Roma 27 JUL 2009 27.72 59.24 1:36.31

MUELLER Justine MACNC
4 2:11.46 1 CR (2) 1:40.47 (6) 1:04.03 (6) 28.73 0.77
35.30 36.44 30.99

Event 29 Men's 200m Individual Medley Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 1:54.10 LOCHTE Ryan USA Roma 30 JUL 2009 24.72 53.20 1:26.28

BROWN Jack FORDAZ 4 2:01.56 1 (1) 1:31.89 (1) 57.07 (3) 26.61 0.74
30.46 34.82 29.67

Event 30 Women's 50m Freestyle Final

Record Name Location Date NOC Code WR 23.73 STEFFEN Britta GER Roma 2 AUG 2009

HARDY Jessica TROJCA 4 24.90 1 CR 0.71
JACKSON Lara FORDAZ 5 24.93 2 0.03 0.60

Event 27 8 AUG 2009 ­
15:26 Women's 1500m Freestyle

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 15:42.54 ZIEGLER Kate USA Mission Viejo (USA) 17 JUN 2007 29.23 1:00.49 1:32.09 2:03.46
2:35.17 3:06.74 3:38.34 4:09.87 4:41.41 5:13.01 5:44.80 6:16.48 6:48.07 7:19.63 7:51.06 8:22.57
8:53.91 9:25.42 9:57.07 10:28.74 11:00.19 11:31.70 12:03.42 12:35.17 13:06.55 13:38.54 14:10.13 14:41.85
15:13.27

MCDERMOTT Amber TXLAST 5 16:22.80 1 0.89 4 1993

15:26 Men's 800m Freestyle

Record Name Location Date NOC Code Splits WR 7:32.12 ZHANG Lin CHN Roma 29 JUL 2009 26.94 55.20 1:24.04 1:52.55 2:21.16 2:49.87 3:18.58 3:46.79 4:15.02 4:43.28 5:11.79 5:40.36 6:09.26 6:38.03 7:06.13

LA TOURETTE Chad MVNCA 4 7:47.27 1 CR 0.84 5 1988

la acest Open USA s-a batut un rec.mond. la 100 m bras fete...!!!

WR 1:04.84 SONI Rebecca Roma 27 JUL 2009 31.03

ARDY Jessica TROJCA 3 1:04.45 1 WR (1) 29.80 0.71 34.65

===============================================

Ramane cum am stabilit ...cine vrea sa devina antrenor.. o face 'singur si nesilit de nimeni...'; limite nu exista, exista doar ambitie..!

Save 50% Off National Winning Velo Tech Suit

Thursday, August 18, 2011 7:42 PM

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FINIS Inc. 4647-B Las Positas Rd. Livermore CA 94551

Mai ales la inot ....

The importance of stretching and flexibility

Monday, August 15, 2011 11:06 AM

From:"Sports Performance Bulletin"

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To:"mircea olaru"

ISSUE 52 15 AUGUST Stretching G’day Mircea, I am sitting here in the north of England wondering what season it is. The calendar tells me it’s Summer but my eyes and skin thermoreceptors disagree. It’s about 12 degrees, raining and windy. It feels like an age ago that I was sitting on my balcony in Istanbul writing these pieces wearing nothing but shorts and sunglasses. In order to get some warmth into my bones, I’m going to take the challenge of Bikram yoga today. It’s essentially 90 minutes of Iyengar yoga in a room heated to 40 degrees. I’ve taken a number of athletes to Bikram classes over the years. It’s a great session for helping to increase flexibility and I also love it because it introduces athletes to another key aspect of fitness, and that it flexibility. I hold to the theory that we need to be able to move well in order to function well. I like to see people that are able to move one part of their body independent to everything else. We see people run into problems when, for instance, they cannot rotate their hips without their whole spine following suit. Sometimes this is a motor control issue (their brains simply haven’t worked out how to activate the programme that dissociates the movements) but sometimes this is because the muscles have insufficient length to be able to allow independent joint movement. "A long but weak muscle is one that is unable to perform well and also more susceptible to injury" I think there is a danger, however, of people just stretching without strengthening. In my view, a long but weak muscle is one that is unable to perform well and also more susceptible to injury. This is why studies have shown that simply stretching following hamstring injuries does not reduce recurrence rates, whereas specific strengthening work can. Once we have gained some extra ‘length’ in the muscles, we need to make sure that we can control that length and extra joint range of motion. I put the word ‘length’ in inverted commas because there is some disagreement in the literature about what stretching actually does. Some believe that stretching stimulates extra sarcomeres (muscle cells) to be laid down in series, giving the muscle extra length, whereas others dispute this, saying that stretching reduces the ‘tone’ of the muscle, meaning that it is for all intents and purposes, more ‘relaxed’. Whichever way, I really believe that having joint and muscle flexibility is an important aspect of athleticism, so long as appropriate motor control is evident and muscle strength is maintained. The research also seems to suggest that dynamic but controlled stretching is best before training and that static stretching may in fact increase the rate of muscle injury if it is performed prior to ballistic athletic activity. Any static stretching I do, therefore, is performed after training or during a dedicated flexibility session. It’s an interesting topic and one that, no doubt, we will revisit in the coming months. Next week though, we’re going to change tack and examine the psychology of injury and rehabilitation. ‘Til then, Stay robust amigos! Joycey David Joyce Head of Performance for Hull FC. Hold Masters degrees in both Sports Physiotherapy and Strength & Conditioning and lectures on the MSc in Sports Physio course at the University of Bath and on the MSc in S+C at Edith Cowan University.