General | Sports Coach

Preventing Childhood Obesity

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The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has released its report on childhood obesity. According to the data, obesity has more than tripled among children in the last 30 years. The prevalence of obesity in children ages six to 11 years is 19.6%, which is up from 6.5% in 1980, and the prevalence of obesity among children age 12 to 19 years skyrocketed to 18.1%, up from 5% in 1980.

It’s no secret that obesity continues to be a growing concern in the U.S., particularly as more children are falling into the categories of being obese and morbidly obese. Obesity is defined as weighing more than 20% over your ideal weight, and morbid obesity is defined as weighing more than twice your ideal weight.

According to the American Heart Association, children are not as fit as they were a generation ago, which can be attributed to several factors, including a sedentary lifestyle brought on by video games and the Internet, as well as the high availability of unhealthy foods, and many children are already exhibiting signs of cardiovascular disease and other related conditions. And while the risk of heart attack and stroke are certainly lower in children than adults, there is significant evidence that the risk factors for these diseases begin in childhood.

Fortunately, the effects of a poor diet, lack of physical activity and cigarette smoking can be erased early on by a healthy diet and regular exercise. It’s up to parents to encourage activity and good food choices now so these healthy habits will be part of their child’s daily routine now and in the future.

Whether your child prefers moderate or vigorous activity, solo activities or team sports, make sure to get him or her involved in regular daily exercise. Even chores count as ways of burning calories. Switch out sugary foods and beverages for healthy choices and incorporate more fruits in vegetables into their meals.And most importantly, emphasize to your children the importance of regular exercise, combined with a healthy diet, and how it is key to maintaining a long and happy life.

Filed Under: Activities, General Tagged With: Health, Obesity

A Brief History of Swimming Until the First Olympic Games

Although we have no early records, surely even the first humans enjoyed the health, spiritual and recreational benefits of submerging themselves in water. Our earliest visual records of swimming are Stone Age cave paintings done more than 7,000 years ago in southwest Egypt. Early written references to swimming are found in two of the oldest works of Western literature, the Greek epics the Iliad and the Odyssey, attributed to Homer, written in 8th century B.C.

In 1696, the French writer Melchisédech Thévenot published The Art of Swimming, in which he described a breaststroke similar to the one we use today. This book was became the standard reference for swimming, and one of its many readers was a young American named Benjamin Franklin. In fact, Franklin, an avid swimmer, is credited with the invention of swimming fins. In 1708, the first known lifesaving group began in China. Early swimming clubs (primarily focused on lifesaving) were also formed in Sweden, Holland and Great Britain, and soon similar groups were established all over the world.

By 1844 swimming was well established as a competitive sport in England, but British swimmers used the breaststroke. In a swimming exhibition that year, a group of North American Indian swimmers demonstrated a speedy but unconventional technique that shocked onlookers called “totally un-European.” Europeans shunned the technique for more than 30 years until an Englishman named John Arthur Trudgen reintroduced a variant of the stroke, later known as the front crawl, to the British after he learned it from Native Americans while in South America. The stroke, then called “the Trudgen,” quickly became popular in England and around the world, revolutionizing competitive swimming.

Swimming was an event in the first modern Olympic games in 1896 in Athens. There were three freestyle events, open only to men, and one freestyle event open only to Greek sailors. The swimming competitions were held in the cold waters of the sea (the Bay of Zea, off the Piraeus coast) because organizers were unwilling to spend money to construct an indoor pool.

Filed Under: Games, General, Swimming Tagged With: Great Britain, swimming, Swimming and Diving, Water Sports

A Brief History of Swimming: The 1912 Olympics to the “Golden Age”

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Women were first allowed to compete in Olympic swimming events in the 1912 Summer Games in Stockholm. Twenty-seven female swimmers from eight nations participated. The Australian swimmer Fanny Durack, in the 100-meter freestyle, won the first gold medal in a women’s Olympic swimming event. The 1912 Summer Olympics are also notable for being the first Games in which electric timing devices were used.

In 1922, the German-American swimmer Johnny Weissmuller became the first person to swim 100 meters in under one minute, using the Australian crawl. Weissmuller, in his 10-year swimming career, won five Olympic gold medals, 52 U.S. National Championships and set 67 world records. His worldwide popularity helped spur interest in swimming as a competitive sport and recreational activity, and the 1920s are regarded as a “golden age” for the sport of swimming. Also in 1922, the American swimmer Sybil Bauer, competing in the 440-meter backstroke, became the first woman to break a men’s world record.

For swimming events at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, pool-lane dividers made of cork were introduced, as well as lines on the bottom of the pool to help orient swimmers.

New York-born Gertrude Ederle became the first female swimmer to complete the 35-mile swim across the English Channel in August 1926. Her swim began at a cape in northern France and ended 14 and a half hours later on the southeast shores of England. Her record held until 1950, when American swimmer Florence Chadwick traversed the Channel from France to England in 13 hours and 20 minutes. The following year, Chadwick crossed the Channel again, from England to France, making her the first female to swim across the Channel in both directions.

In the late 1920s the competitive swimming community began the scientific study of swimming to improve technique. University of Iowa coach David Armbruster devised the underwater observation window and began filming swimmers underwater. The Japanese also used underwater filming to study the mechanics of swimming strokes, and Japanese swimmers excelled at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, winning 12 swimming medals, the most of any country.

Filed Under: Games, General, Swimming Tagged With: Olympic, swimming, Swimming at the Summer Olympics

The Top Five Unforgettable Swimming Pool Scenes in Movies

: Cover of It’s a Wonderful Life [Blu-ray]

The Graduate

One of the most acclaimed American movies of the 1960s, The Graduate (1967) is about Benjamin Braddock (played by a young Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who has no idea what he wants to do with the rest of his life. The summer after college, he spends lots of time lounging on an air mattress on his parents’ backyard swimming pool, while the soundtrack plays Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence.”

It’s a Wonderful Life

Ranked high on many “best movies of all time” lists, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) follows George Bailey (James Stewart), a troubled savings and loan manager who contemplates suicide. A memorable flashback has George on a date with Mary (Donna Reed) during which they’re dancing the Charleston at a high school hop—and the gymnasium floor opens to reveal a swimming pool underneath. This famous pool, located at Beverly Hills High School, is still in use.

Harold and Maude

Number 45 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Funniest Movies of All Time, Harold and Maude (1971) is about Harold (Bud Cort), a young man obsessed with death who likes to stage his own suicide. During one brief, hilarious scene, Harold, wearing a suit, lies face down in his mother’s backyard pool while she swims by, blithely ignoring him.

Bathing Beauty (Esther Williams)

The swimmer/movie actress Esther Williams had her first starring role in Bathing Beauty (1944), a musical about a swimming teacher (Esther Williams) at a girl’s college. The extravagant “water ballet” scene, featuring female swimmers who dive one by one into a pool and then surround their “queen” as she performs graceful swimming maneuvers, became internationally famous.

Something’s Got to Give

This 1962 American film was Marilyn Monroe’s last movie, and was abandoned after she died in August 1962. Much of the footage was not seen for years after Monroe’s death. The movie is now known for its famous scene in which Monroe’s character is swimming nude in a pool at night and she is calling out to the character played by Dean Martin to join her.

The GraduateOne of the most acclaimed American movies of the 1960s, The Graduate (1967) is about Benjamin Braddock (played by a young Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate who has no idea what he wants to do with the rest of his life. The summer after college, he spends lots of time lounging on an air mattress on his parents’ backyard swimming pool, while the soundtrack plays Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence.”
It’s a Wonderful LifeRanked high on many “best movies of all time” lists, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) follows George Bailey (James Stewart), a troubled savings and loan manager who contemplates suicide. A memorable flashback has George on a date with Mary (Donna Reed) during which they’re dancing the Charleston at a high school hop—and the gymnasium floor opens to reveal a swimming pool underneath. This famous pool, located at Beverly Hills High School, is still in use.
Harold and MaudeNumber 45 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Funniest Movies of All Time, Harold and Maude (1971) is about Harold (Bud Cort), a young man obsessed with death who likes to stage his own suicide. During one brief, hilarious scene, Harold, wearing a suit, lies face down in his mother’s backyard pool while she swims by, blithely ignoring him.
Bathing Beauty (Esther Williams)The swimmer/movie actress Esther Williams had her first starring role in Bathing Beauty (1944), a musical about a swimming teacher (Esther Williams) at a girl’s college. The extravagant “water ballet” scene, featuring female swimmers who dive one by one into a pool and then surround their “queen” as she performs graceful swimming maneuvers, became internationally famous.
Something’s Got to GiveThis 1962 American film was Marilyn Monroe’s last movie, and was abandoned after she died in August 1962. Much of the footage was not seen for years after Monroe’s death. The movie is now known for its famous scene in which Monroe’s character is swimming nude in a pool at night and she is calling out to the character played by Dean Martin to join her.

Filed Under: General, Swimming Tagged With: Beverly Hills High School, Esther Williams, Marilyn Monroe, Swimming pool

Annette Kellerman: A Forgotten Swimming Legend

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Today Annette Kellerman gets only a brief mention in write-ups of 20th century swimming, but in her day she was a worldwide sensation as an athlete, performer and spokesperson for women’s fitness. She deserves a larger place in our history books for the many “firsts” she earned during her remarkable life.

Because of childhood illness, young Annette wore iron braces on her legs. When she was seven a doctor suggested she remove her braces and take up swimming. At age 15 Annette set a world record in the mile. In 1904 she drew crowds when she swam across London’s Thames River—a feat no one, man or woman, had ever accomplished. She was one of the first women to attempt to swim across the English Channel; she tried three times but didn’t finish. Still, she continued to outrace male swimmers in exhibitions throughout Europe.

In major U.S. cities she performed a “water ballet” act in a glass tank, and became the best-paid vaudeville star in the country. Kellerman is now credited with using moves that introduced the sport of synchronized swimming. In Boston she was arrested for “indecent exposure” when she wore a tight-fitting, one-piece swimsuit on the beach—a departure from accepted ladies’ swimwear: a cumbersome ensemble including a dress, bloomers and tights.

Her fame led to a career in the movies, notably as the star of A Daughter of the Gods (1916), the first million-dollar production. The film is also notable for Kellerman’s nude scenes, marking her as the first star to appear nude in a high-budget movie.

She became an advocate for health and exercise, particularly for women, and she wrote the first-ever diet and fitness book, Physical Beauty: How to Keep It. She designed and marketed a popular swimsuit known as the “Annette Kellerman,” now seen as the first modern swimsuit for women.

Kellerman and her husband retired in her native Australia, where she kept fit by swimming daily. In November 1975, she died at age 89, and her ashes were scattered over the Great Barrier Reef, in keeping with her wish to be reunited with the sea.

Filed Under: General, Swimming Tagged With: Great Barrier Reef, swimming, Swimsuit

Following Online Sportsbooks May Help Your Fantasy Football Odds

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As football season gears up, office workers, teachers, and football fans across America are lining up their picks for fantasy football. In fantasy football, each participant gets to be the owner of a team. He gets to select a roster of offensive and defensive players based on real-life professional players with the NFL or NCAA. Because the team is imaginary, an owner can pick the quarterback from the Saints and a running back from the Broncos. Once the owner establishes his team, the virtual website hosting the fantasy sport uses real-life statistics from season games to calculate points for owners. The owner who has the most points wins the league.

While there are free fantasy football sites on the Web, many people prefer to join a league with money involved. Usually, the person who wins the league wins the jackpot. The more people who join, the larger the pot. If you’re planning to place your money on the line, you’ll want to use every strategy possible to win. Consulting online sportsbooks can help you know the odds of a certain team or player doing well. Since you’re using real-life statistics, you can expect the sportsbooks to stay up to date on the odds.

You can also watch ESPN or one of the other sports channels to keep tabs on the season. During pre-season, you’ll find information from analysts and commentators speculating on the upcoming games. This can help you as you start to look for star players. You’ll also want to stay abreast of any injuries that occur during pre-season. Changes to a professional team’s roster can also affect your fantasy football odds—some players don’t work well together.

If you plan to play fantasy football and you want to win, take advantage of every resource available, whether it’s over the radio, TV, or Internet, to give yourself the best chance of obtaining your goal.

Filed Under: Games, General Tagged With: Association football, National Football League, Sport

Credit Counseling Makes a World of Difference

The economic world has changed quite a bit since the recession hit in 2007 and millions of United States citizens are still trying to figure out different ways to make ends meet each month. Many people are giving up things they love to work longer hours such as swimming, shopping, and the like. This causes people to become depress when they can enjoy their favorite things such as swimming.

With bills coming in from the left and from the right, some folks just do not know where to get the money from to pay them. Thousands of people struggle with debt on a daily basis and the majority of debt can be traced back to problems with credit cards. Credit cards can get a lot of people in trouble economically, especially if they do not know how to properly manage their finances. Credit counseling is an important class, or activity, that everyone should take part in prior to opening up a credit card.

Staying ahead of the game is the best way to avoid getting into debt with a credit card. Always know how much money is going to come in each month and how much has to go out prior to charging expenses to that credit card. A credit counseling course will teach credit card holders what it is like to manage a credit card balance, what interest rates will do to a credit score, how to check a credit score and so much more.

Taking one of these classes can make a world of difference for a first time credit card holder. It can even help a current credit card holder who seems to be lost when it comes to managing the account and having enough money each month to pay the bill without going into debt or accruing interest on the account. No one credit card holder is considered a lost cause so if you need help; get help. It is the only way you will be able to fix a problem.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Money, Money Management

Bet On Your Favorite Teams

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One of the things that many people have come to enjoy is online sports betting. Why is this becoming so popular? Mainly because there are so many people who are already avid sports fans and they love to follow their favorite teams, and even follow other teams. They know a lot about the game, whether it is soccer, tennis, golf, football, baseball, basketball, or what have you, and they feel an investment in what happens to the sport, the teams, and the players. It’s only natural that these avid fans might want to make a financial investment in what they have already invested in in terms of time and emotion.

When you bet money on your favorite team or any team, for that matter, the interest and excitement in watching them play, in monitoring their progress, in following their ups and downs tends to matter even more. If you want to get involved in sports betting, you’ll want to get some tips before you begin. To get you started consider the following tip, try betting on longshots. This is often the best way to make the greatest gains for your dollar. The reasons are not complicated. In fact, whoever is favored to win is where most people put their money, so that means there is a large part of money heading in that direction, and thus the odds get shortened on the favorites. To keep from losing money, sportsbooks will offer odds that sound astronomical when really the odds are not that great against the underdog. For example, they might list the odds as 70 to 1, when in actuality the odds are closer to 20 to 1. When you bet longshots, you usually lose some money, but when one of the bets does come through, you win so big that it can more than cover all the previous losing bets.

Filed Under: Games, General Tagged With: Association football, Basketball, Gambling, Games, Investment, Sport, Sport betting, Sportsbook

Places to go on Your Cruise

Let’s face some facts, here. Every cruise is going to be different from the others you could take. No two cruise offers could ever be identical, even if they happen to be in the same area at the same time. So obviously, you are going to have a pretty tough time in deciding where you want to go, and what kinds of things you want to see when you take a cruise. And if you happen to be on the fence right now about whether or not to take one, you should go for it. It’s a reasonably priced, all inclusive way to see a large amount of a particular place.

A lot of people think that all cruises just go to literal “hot spots” like the Caribbean. This simply could not be further from the truth. Truth be told on the matter, that is just one of the types of places you can go, in just about every kind of climate zone that you can think of. You can go on a river cruise, like they have all throughout Europe, and see the countryside go by from your cabin — which is in a temperate zone. Or you can go up North (or down South) to the point where you can see glaciers all over the place. Alaskan cruises are pretty sweet, if you don’t mind staying inside primarily (unless you end up on one of those freaky ones where the temperature is 60 degrees… and you’re wearing the biggest coat you can find).

And getting back to those European river cruises, keep in mind that any large body of water can be cruised in. There are Black Sea cruises, cruises all throughout the rivers of Europe (with tons of them in the Rhine River), and even cruises in the Great Lakes in the US and Canada. Cruise anywhere!

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Canada, Caribbean, Cruises, Great Lakes, Recreation, River cruise, Specialty Travel, Travel