GameChanger Spotlight

It has been quite some time since I have written and published any material. I have not only neglected this blog, but have done very little to move forward with my goal of raising awareness and sharing information with the intention of benefiting others. The goal has always been to help others perform at their best while identifying and minimizing injury risks. This applies to athletes at all levels from the youth level, to the weekend warrior and even to the professional athlete. Having recently taken on the daunting task of revolutionizing the prosthetic feet industry with a business partner, I am newly motivated to get back to doing what I do best and be of service to others. This effort will include the launching of a new section to this blog and will feature the "GameChanger Spotlight." This spotlight will be to recognize and promote services, products, business and individuals who deserve their time in the sun. Please feel free to share questions, thoughts and comments. And of course, if you see something you like, please share it with your network of family and friends.



All the best,

Raul Martinez

Tazon Latino IX

With the NFL Pro Bowl being played in Glendale, Arizona followed by Super Bowl XLIX the week after, the list of local parties and events is too long to list. The downtown Phoenix area, Old Town Scottsdale and Westgate (which is next to the University of Phoenix stadium) were the three main locations where things took place. The list would include parties thrown by Playboy, Maxim, Yelp, and ESPN to name a few. Hosts and appearances included performers and athletes alike such as Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Jordin Sparks, Larry Fitzgerald, Drake, Odell Beckham Jr. and Patrick Peterson among others. The town was abuzz as it became a two week party. While I will not make a list of the parties and events I attended, I do want to share details regarding one of them.
I had the pleasure recently of attending the Tazon Latino IX

at the Phoenix Convention Center a few days prior to the big game.The Tazon Latino hit close to home for me due to it being part of the NFL's effort to grow its audience in the Latino Community. It is a flag football game involving former NFL stars as well as Latino celebrities. On the field we saw Mark Brunell,

Torry Holt, Tony Gonzalez, Warrick Dunn, Derrick Brooks, Jake Plummer, Fred Taylor and Deion Sanders. Arizona Cardinals Michael Floyd and Patrick Peterson were the coaches. As for the actual game, the purple team led by Deion, who just like in his playing days appeared faster than everyone else on the field, ultimately won and did so convincingly by a final score of 46-24. The game was emceed by former Arizona Cardinal and the first player ever to be drafted from a university in Mexico, Rolando Cantu. It was well organized and a blast to attend but the memorable part was Deion's take on it:

"Blending cultures, blending ethnicities and we have a great time doing it." 







I'm considering attending next year's Super Bowl and you can bet that if I do, I will look into Tazon Latino X as well.

5 Self-Tests Athletes Must Do Before Off-Season Training by Andy Haley

Sports are tough on the body. And diving right into an off-season training program—or worse, trying to get a baseline of your strength by “maxing out”—can limit your gains and increase your risk of injury.
“Over the course of a season, your body gets banged up,” says Mike Reinold, PT, DPT. “Your mobility often suffers the most.”
Mobility problems start a vicious cycle. Lacking full range of motion means you can’t perform exercises with proper form—which means you won’t work the right muscles with each rep—which means you won’t make the gains you deserve, and you’ll be more likely to get hurt.
The good news? Avoiding mobility issues is easy. “Simple self-assessments can tell you what you can safely do in your training,” says Tony Gentilcore, CSCS.
Before you start piling on weight plates, try these five tests of your strength and mobility. They’ll pay off when you’re crushing reps later in the off-season, injury-free.

Core Strength

Test it With: Push-Up Planks. Have a partner place a PVC pipe along the back of your head, shoulders and lower back. Hold for 60 seconds. If any of the three points lose contact, you need to strengthen your core.

Want to see the rest of the Tests? For the rest of the tests and full article, log onto http://www.stack.com/2013/12/09/off-season-training/ There you will also find articles on nutrition, sports, fitness, etc.

Derrick Rose injury could have been avoided. SHAME ON YOU BULLS!

As fans it is hard to fathom the vulnerability and human factor with regards to professional athletes. Due to them typically being superior physical specimens who are bigger, faster, stronger and more explosive than the average person, it is challenging to understand the extent of an injury and the process involved in the rehabilitation. This process involves athletes not only regaining normal function of their body but consequently to physically perform again at a level which us fans and "mere mortals" can only imagine. While we see them as "supermen," they have the same body parts as we do which include but are not limited to muscles, ligaments, joints, tendons, etc. So why can we not keep our athletes healthy? Why do athletes sustain injuries to other body parts after rehabilitating an injury to a different body part? The common answer which industry professionals are sticking to is that due to athletes being bigger, faster and more explosive, they are more susceptible to and are accelerating their rate of injury. With the advancements in technology and ongoing research and studies, this answer seems like an excuse and insulting to those who seek the truth. A kinesiologist and biomechanics expert in Scottsdale, Arizona by the name of Zig Ziegler ( @zig_ziegler ) begs to differ and has time and time again predicted injuries to athletes which he feels could have been prevented. Take for example Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin of the San Francisco 49ers who in 2004 worked with Zig during the off season. Utilizing a 3D-Motion Capture technology called BioCap which measured biomechanic efficiency in human motion, Zig was able to identify inefficiencies in Anquan's running mechanics which created injury risks due to existing imbalances and was able to attribute a "non-contact" ACL injury sustained at Florida State to a severe ankle injury he had sustained in high school.

The recommendations led to Anquan running more efficiently and he literally saw an improvement in his 40 yard dash time. Considering he had been under the supervision of some of the best programs available with the Arizona Cardinals, Florida State and IMG Academies, Anquan was shocked that whatever Zig had identified had been previously undiagnosed. Zig shared his findings and concern with the Cardinals and their response was the typical, "Thanks, we got this." Sadly, a few weeks into camp Zig received a call from Anquan stating "You were right, my knee is messed up. I'm out 8-12 weeks." TRUE STORY.
 
8 years later and thousands of athlete assessments later, Zig writes this article and posts it on May 8, 2012 after Derrick Rose tears his ACL:  DERRICK ROSE PREDICTION And if that is not compelling enough, here is an article someone else wrote about it: Next Impulse Article

You would think considering Derrick Rose's value to the Chicago Bulls franchise, EVERY possible thing would have been done to ensure his full recovery and return to his previous form. Here is a tweet from Zig on November 14, 2013:

Said @drose would suffer a major injury within 18 months-May 2012. Now significantly favoring imbalances. Compensation injuries starting now
— Zig Ziegler (@zig_ziegler) November 14, 2013

So my question remains the same as one I have asked previously, WHEN WILL OUR ATHLETES' BEST INTERESTS BE KEPT IN MIND?

For more information about Zig and his programs, log onto http://zigsports.wordpress.com/

When Will Our Athletes' Best Interests Be Kept In Mind?

Medicine ball side-throws improve rotational explosiveness.

 ( For more information on training programs, please contact www.athleticedge.net)

I grew up in a time where Tommy John was a starting pitcher and not a common surgical procedure. Competing in multiple sports from season to season, I experienced bumps and bruises like any other athlete. But there was never anything more serious than a sprained ankle or some bruise due to either a collision, being hit by a ball or taking a spill. It is amazing to me what has happened in today's sports from the youth level all the way up to the professional level. If you were to go to a Pop Warner practice or game today, most of the kids on the field would be familiar with concussions, ACL injuries, rotator cuff issues, etc. The same applies for Little League organizations as well as in AYSO leagues. While our society has raised awareness and through the internet there is a considerable amount of information available in comparison to past times, our advances in performance training, medicine, physical therapy and rehabilitation should play a factor in decreasing the number of sports related injuries. Unfortunately, the exact opposite is true. It should be noted that the vast improvement of performance enhancement training and the competitive level of sports even at the youth levels has risen dramatically. These variable are unfortunately the excuses being used for a large number of injuries due to athletes being bigger, stronger, faster and more explosive. The thinking is that with more strength, explosiveness and speed, the athletes are more prone to injury. With all of the experts out there, shouldn't it be the other way around?

HOW ADRIAN PETERSON CAN RECOVER FROM HIS SPORTS HERNIA

by: Mo Skelton


After suffering a catastrophic knee injury, Adrian Peterson came back and was named the NFL's 2012 MVP. However, he now faces another challenge during this off-season.
Peterson suffered a sports hernia some time during the season. One report suggested he ran for more than 850 yards after the injury, which is incredible in its own right.
To return to top form, Peterson will again need to undergo a rigorous rehabilitation program. In my work as a physical therapist, I've helped treat athletes with injuries like these in the past, so I understand what lies ahead for AP. While I want to make it clear that I'm not the person treating Peterson, I can describe what injuries like his are like, and offer insight into how athletes can recover from them.

For the full article, please goto: http://www.stack.com/2013/02/21/adrian-peterson-hernia/ 

Moment of Silence for Junior Seau: May 5th, 5:55pm - via: Bolt Beat by BoogaP

 (I found this posting on www.boltbeat.com and had to share)

I’d like to ask that all people take a moment of silence on 5/5 at 5:55 p.m. pacific time. Please do so for 55 seconds in remembrance of one of the finest players to ever set foot on a football field, Junior Seau.  I am not afraid to admit that I am currently balling my eyes out.  You will be missed by millions, Junior.  Rest in peace.

The FanSided Sports Network, the fastest growing independent sports media company on the internet, will shut down all 32 of its NFL websites on May 5th at exactly 5:55 PM Pacific Time to observe a moment of silence for recently deceased NFL great Junior Seau. The moment of silence will last for five minutes and has been recognized by Reggie Bush of the Miami Dolphins, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and thousands of others.


“At FanSided the fans come first. When it became apparent to us that David (Booga) Peters’ tribute resonated so much with the NFL world, we wanted to support this sign of respect to an NFL great,” said Patrick Allen, FanSided’s VP of Content.
 
“It’s only a game but we cheer just as much for the name on the back of the jersey as we do the logo on the helmet.”

Only The Beginning of My Wrath

While the typical theme for my blog is about sports, fitness, nutrition, injury prevention,  etc, I want to share a run in I had and am still fuming about:
 
Last night my 14 year old son was subject to a drunk and racist neighbor who not only called him and his friends, and I will quote, "A fu*#en beaner", but also lifted his shirt to reveal that he had a gun on his hip. My son immediately called me asking me to please come by as the jerk neighbor was calling him and his friend names and had a gun on his hip.  I instructed him to call the cops and told him I was on my way. This is not the first incident with this individual but obviously the most serious. The Scottsdale Police Department sent out 2 patrol cars and after the cops questioned the neighbor, not only did they not do a thing about it, they told us that for what it is worth, they believed us but it was his word against ours and since we didn't have a 3rd party witness nor a recording of the incident, there was nothing they could do. They stated he was a drunk jerk who claimed to have been a Navy Seal for 24 years. As much as I want to take matters into my own hands, I will follow the pen is mightier than the sword and fire back at this jerk with everything I possibly can.  Thank you Twitter friends for your support and words of encouragement.  I do not and will not tolerate ANY abuse to my kids. He messed with the wrong family. Here is the first step in what will be an ongoing onslaught. Stay tuned.

December 2011

Dear Sir,

It has come to our organizations attention that on December 15, 2011 a call to the Scottsdale Police
Department was made after you brandished a hand gun and allegedly yelled racially sensitive remarks to some teenage boys whom of which were playing in the street.

Upon police arrival you stated to officers that you are a US Navy SEAL and served with the Teams for a period of 24 years.

SUPPORTTHESEALS.ORG is a private organization not affiliated with the US Department of Defense or any other government agency. Both active duty and former Navy SEALs are a part of our organization. You may have recently saw us on the news (as we are based out of Arizona). Our efforts are to support those who expose Navy SEAL impostors. We work with Navy SEALs whom have access to verification and are asking you to provide this information. Since we have acquired a photo of you and your address:

Please provide us your BUD/s Class Number and Name of Enlistment. You may email this to
gware@supporttheseals.org.

If you fail to provide such information (which is NOT classified information) by January 5, 2012 we
will bring this incident to the attention of the UDT Arizona Chapter President, The US Navy SEAL
Foundation, POW Network (http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies) as well as the infamous Senior Chief Don Shipley whom of which has drawn National media attention to those who imposter our respected Navy SEALs.

This is performed as a service to the public, our support base and in the highest regard of the SEAL
Teams, who give their lives to this great nation. These men truly earn the right to bear their tridents and
titles of "US Navy SEAL." This effort further is in recognition to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and can no longer defend their honor, reputation and Teams. We will turn any and all appropriate claims over to US Navy SEALs and parties whom have the necessary access to the USN SEAL Database. This database houses ALL official US Navy SEAL Team and predecessor units from 1943 to present day. Every US Navy SEAL must undergo and successfully pass Basic Underwater Demolition Training (BUD/s) and this enlistment is tracked by Official Naval Special Warfare and put into the database mentioned above.
No exceptions.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

V/R

Graham Ware
https://twitter.com/NavySealsOrg
Founder

www.supporttheseals.org

Direct: 480.529.4209

To Dairy or Not To Dairy?

As someone who is into nutrition and has battled being lactose intolerant, I wanted to share this insightful information and feedback from the respected Doctor Angela Culveyhouse in Lake Worth, Florida.

The big debate!!!!  I am a huge advocate for The Biggest Loser TV Show.  I think it is amazing how the show helps people change their own lives.  It is a lifelong decision to be healthy and take care of yourself.  Numerous people want a quick fix and unfortunately those are the people that unless they make lifelong decisions on habits they will continue a yo-yo weight problem.  We all know these people that for the last 10 years have been on a diet and never really changed too much or too long with their weight.  With that in mind, The Biggest Loser, really does a fabulous job with educating people to how they can take control & make a change in their own lives.  It truly is an inspirational show and I will admit that I cry at least half the time I watch the show. 

With my love of the show said, as I was watching the Thanksgiving special, there was a dietician making healthy meals for thanksgiving dinner.  One of these dishes was a low-cal pumpkin pie.  The dietician said use coconut milk instead of regular milk because it makes the dish non-dairy.  I'm not sure why there is such negativity with anything "Dairy" these days.  Obviously if someone is eating ice cream and drinking heavy cream every day, yes it is bad, but that does not mean ALL dairy is bad.  So since I love Thai & Ethnic food and love cooking, I have some Coconut Milk in the pantry, which is actually "lite" coconut milk.  After watching this show I felt the need to compare the Lite Coconut Milk with the Skim Milk in the fridge.  My results...

Lite Coconut Milk- 

Serving size 1 cup

Calories 150

Total Fat 13.5g

Saturated Fat 12g

Protein 3g

Lactaid Skim Milk

Serving size 1 cup

Calories 90

Total Fat 0g

Saturated Fat 0g

Protein 8g

As much as things sound so much better in theory being "non-diary" I suggest just read the labels.  It takes a little more time & effort to read labels & compare but in the end it pays off.  Don't be afraid of dairy just because you think it is more fattening, it might surprise you!  If you are lactose intolerant then choose the Lactaid Milk like I use.  Dairy is full of protein and calcium.  Some of the low-cal, low-fat dairy dishes I like are cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, milk, greek yogurt, frozen yogurt, quiche and smoothies (keep in mind I always buy fat free or low fat). 

"To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear."  Buddha

For more information about Dr Angela Culveyhouse, please log onto: http://www.pbchirocenter.com/

Nick Lowery to MC Sports Explosion October 15, 2011 at Paradise Valley Park

NFL Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame inductee Nick Lowery is set to MC Sports Explosion in Paradise Valley.

NFL Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer, inspirational speaker and philanthropist Nick Lowery is set to MC the Sports Explosion event to be held at the Paradise Valley Park in Phoenix, AZ from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 15th. Lowery works with disadvantaged youth through his charitable organization the Nick Lowery Youth Foundation.
Nation Building for Native Youth (NBNY) is the foremost program of Nick Lowery Youth Foundation (NLYF.) Thousands of young people have been reached through the materials and workshops made available by the foundation through Adult Role Models for Youth (now Youthfriends), Native Vision and the current programs of the foundation (http://www.nickloweryfoundation.org). The long-term goals of the program are to inspire youth to lead purposeful, positive, successful lives, and ultimately serve and lead their communities.
The Phoenix Women’s Sports Association in conjunction with Lowery, women’s soccer legend Brandi Chastain, Suns Head Coach Alvin Gentry, Olympic Gold Medal Gymnastics Captain Amanda Borden, Arizona Diamondbacks World Series hero Luis Gonzalez and NFL players are reaching out to the entire valley community through the Sports Explosion event in order to connect with youth and families. Their goal is not only to call the community to action, but to give families opportunities and tools they need in order to lead healthier, active lifestyles.
This event will include sports and fitness clinics, autograph and photo sessions, sports demonstrations, interactive games, nutrition and wellness booths, health screenings and more. The Sports Explosion is a free, interactive and educational event.
To learn more about how to get involved, become a mentor or to donate to NLYF please visit http://www.nicklowery.com to learn more about Mr. Lowery speaking engagements see http://www.loweryspeaks.com or call 480/419.1799.

Why Stephen Strasburg’s Future has Another Date with Injury and a Surgeon

by Zig Ziegler 

Phenom or Failure: Too Soon to Play?
In 2008, I had the chance to see a young pitcher dominate on the field for San Diego State University.  His velocity was tremendous and intimidating as he struck out batter after batter.  I said to myself, “I wonder how many innings this guy will have in the major leagues before he is injured?” In 2010, the Washington Nationals drafted Stephen Strasburg with the top pick in the professional baseball draft.  Yes. Strasburg was number one on everyone board, except mine.
You see, Strasburg reminded me to much of Mark Prior, Kerry Wood and numerous other injured or soon to be injured pitchers in professional and amateur baseball. In 2010, I watch along with everyone else as he made his minor league rotation and ascended to the majors. But in a televised game I saw of one of his starts, I noticed a change in the mechanics, I had seen in 2008. Stephen Strasburg’s delivery had gotten worse indicating an injury was on the way.  I tweeted it on twitter and told friends, who believed based upon my experience, that Stephen Strasburg’s season would be cut short.
Over the past 10 years, I have conducted 3D biomechanics assessments on over 2,000 collegiate and professional baseball players and prospects. To read the rest of the story,  please log onto http://zigsports.wordpress.com/

Pro Athletes Benefit from Chiropractic

Pro Athletes Benefit from Chiropractic

by Dr Jennifer Taschler

 

Many professional athletes in the United States turn to Chiropractic to help them through the rigors and physical demands of their sport. Players on the mens' professional golf tour have chiropractors available to them at all of their tournaments. Many professional football players get Chiropractic help following rough and tumble games. Now professional baseball organizations have come a long way in providing Chiropractic to their players.

In the past year, both the World Champion Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies organizations have worked with chiropractors to get their players in top condition to perform through an entire year. Major League ball clubs play a 162 game schedule that includes coast to coast travel. A typical season starts in late February with a Spring Training schedule and finishes in early October. A playoff or World Series bound team is still playing in late October.
Michael Weinman, D.C., works with the Boston Red Sox and often is busy with players for three to four hours before home games. “When the body’s joints, muscles and nerves are well-conditioned, a player performs at the top of his game and is able to stave off nagging injuries. Chiropractic adjustments enhance physical health and promote top performance,” he said.
The most common problems for baseball players include rotator cuff injuries; neck, mid-back and lower back conditions; and hamstring pulls. The hamstring problems tend to be incurred by a player in a standing position having to quickly burst into action at top speed to make a play. Dr. Weinman says that much of his work involves adjusting joints to keep them mobile, reduce a player’s inflammations and to break up adhesions.

Dr. Weinman and a team of trainers and massage and physical therapists must be having a positive effect on this team. In October of 2007, the Boston Red Sox became World Series champions when they defeated the Colorado Rockies in 4 straight games! 
The Philadelphia Phillies organization began to have chiropractors available to their players beginning in the 2008 season at all home and road games. The team has put a network of chiropractors together in all of the cities the team will visit this year. The request for Chiropractic came first from pitcher Cole Hamels who believes in the benefits of Chiropractic. He thinks one of the reasons he was forced to miss games while on the disabled list in 2007 had to do with no chiropractor being made available to help with an elbow strain.

Hamels said he was most pleased that the team was putting in the effort to make chiropractors available to them when they travel. Many other players on the team will likely make use of the services to stay healthy and play their best. “Ever since I’ve used one (a chiropractor) it’s done wonders for me. It’s great that they (team management) are going out of their way to get a network going.” Hamels thinks that with Chiropractic services fully available, that he could reach the magic number of becoming a 20 game winner this season.  To add to this story, written by Dr Jennifer Taschler, the Philadelphia Phillies 2008 season resulted in:

For more information about Dr Jennifer Taschler,  please log onto her website: www.fairfaxchiropractor.com

Do You Consider What You Put In Your Body?

When considering performance in not only sports but also in one's everyday life, the focus often is primarily on fitness and training. While your performance and fitness levels are greatly impacted by how you train, there is often not enough emphasis placed on your nutrition. While considering the direction of this article, I reflected on my own experience with regards to training for sports performance, health reasons and even just vanity. It was amusing to think of all of the times which I have felt like I was in better shape than at others and it was not so much my training regimen that made the difference as much as my eating habits. 

I'd like to share an analogy that most of clients get to hear at some point in my interaction with them. It is about our bodies and comparing them to race cars. I like to ask my clients what they think would happen if they had an actual Nascar type race car and they decided to drive it down the street to Shell or QuickTrip or some gas station nearby to gas up. Their answers varied from "it wouldn't run", to "it would not run as fast" to even "gas is gas." Well I like to compare the race car to our bodies and how we fuel them. (our bodies not the cars, LOL) When we put junk into our bodies, which we have all done at some point, our bodies do not perform at an optimal level. So similar to race cars needing "performance" gasoline, our bodies need to be fueled in the same manner. I can go on and on about the benefits of eating right but that is not the reason for this article. The purpose is to encourage you to fuel your body correctly for not only the health benefit and how it can impact your appearance but also for you perform in life in general. While the terms diet and nutrition can mean different things for different people, I'd like to inform you that it is what you make of it and eating right can be enjoyable and taste good. One of my favorite sayings is, "If your body breaks down, where will you live?" It's easy to change a flat tire or replace your breaks but when your body starts to break down, you better pay attention to how you care for it.

This leads to a product developed by my good friend and fitness expert Alicia Leombruni which I'd like to feature and endorse as one I have not only tried but enjoyed as well. but (The health benefits are also something to pay attention to and consider) I am referring to Ali's All Natural Products which are Sugar Free, low calorie and low carbohydrate pancake syrups.  Ali's All Natural offers all natural products which are delicious alternatives free from toxic chemical sweeteners, artificial flavors and ingredients. Rest assured, all of Ali's products are sweetened with the natural extracts from the Stevia plant which are low on the glycemic index and a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding any extra calories. It is also a great alternative for diabetics who need to consider their sugar intake.

www.alisallnatural.com

Alicia has been featured in fitness calendars, online, ads, books, commercials, and fitness videos. She is also a certified personal trainer who provides nutritional/workout consultations online and locally. She is also available for photo shoots, promotions, fitness/bikini/fashion related jobs of all sorts.

Alicia believes in living a very healthy life and making the most out of the talents that you are given. As the old saying goes-when you look good, you feel good! She believes in maintaining the same shape all year round, that way when something comes up whether it's a job opportunity, a casting call, or whatever it may be-you're ready.   She thanks God everyday for the blessings he has given her and the ability to be healthy and do what she does. Alicia believes anyone can achieve the look they desire if they are truly dedicated and determined!!
Her philosophy in life is "You get out of life what you put into it! I always give 100% in everything I do and I know that anything I want in life can be achieved but it is up to me to get it!!  Always be happy and do what you love to do! I believe the greatest gift of all is helping people reach their goals, watching their faces and seeing all their excitement at the end. That alone to me is priceless knowing that I was able to be a part of that process. I always keep my chin up, never give up & truly believe what does not kill me will always make me stronger!" 


 For additional information, fitness tips and even recipes, log onto

www.alicialeombruni.blogspot.com/

2011: How to Fix Brett Favre – A Sports Kinesiologist’s Rx

Amid rumors of another possible Brett Favre come back, I decided to post this story written by Sports Kinesiologist Zig Ziegler after last season. (There is speculation that Favre is considering returning to the league to serve as the backup to Michael Vick for the Philadelphia Eagles.)

While many of us consider former Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Brett Favre to be one of the greatest in history, 2010 was a disappointment for many reasons. Favre should have never come back for his 21^st NFL season.
The reason?
Favre, regarded as the “Ironman of NFL quarterbacks” is capable of living up to the tough guy mantra, “no pain, no gain.” However, his tough guy act has now caught up to him. Due to previous injuries to his left ankle, Favre required surgery again in the off-season. Yet the problem wasn’t the surgery, but the rehab. Years of listening to his medical advisers and failing to adequately prepare his body physically in the off-season to meet the demands of the regular season may have contributed to this horrible season.

Let’s look at Favre from a biomechanics perspective. For starters, Favre’s left ankle acts as the first major joint in stabilizing his body for each and every pass attempt.  Tough guys find ways to work around the pain and Favre has been doing just that. The human body is great at compensating around its own deficiencies but that stress still has to go somewhere.  Suffering from an immobile ankle all season, it was only natural that Favre would struggle with accuracy and even begin to over use an already weak shoulder.
Historically, Favre has never been known for great throwing mechanics. (Tom Brady has the best mechanics of any NFL Quarterback— we’ll tell that story another day).  Unfortunately, for Farve, those mechanics have gotten even worse this season. Why? You can’t build a $20 million dollar mansion on a $20 foundation.
With a shaky left ankle, a good athlete’s body finds a way to compensate for the injury and perform the necessary task. In Favre’s case, the task is: throw the ball.  However, what then happens to the stress that should be in his ankle? The stress shifts to his throwing shoulder, causing an aging shoulder to absorb more than its appropriate share of the workload. If Favre’s body were healthy, that workload would be spread over his entire body.
Favre could probably play another 3-5 years because of his mental toughness. However, in order to do that he would have to take care of this body from head to toe. So, the next question is how should he do that? Here is my prescription:
MY PRESCRIPTION TO FIX BRETT FAVRE:
1)      Fix the left ankle by increasing the mobility in each joint in his left foot.  Increase the mobility of his left foot’s plantar fascia with golf ball rolls and massage therapy. Careful consideration should also be placed on joint mobility in the left ankle.  This is best done by a manual therapy expert who digs in to break up all of the accumulated scar tissue from Farve’s previous surgeries.
2)      Address the mobility issues that have developed over the past three seasons in Favre’s throwing shoulder.  This means more manual therapy on the biceps and the front of his shoulder and chest muscles. Simultaneous to the mobility activity on the throwing arm, a qualified expert in performing exercises correctly needs to work with Favre to perform exercises for strengthening the posterior (back) side of his throwing arm and shoulder (triceps, posterior deltoid, and latissimus dorsi muscles on the right side.)
3)      Finally, it would not hurt for Favre to build-up stronger muscles on his right leg from foot to hip.
These are just a few recommendations for the future NFL Hall of Fame quarterback.  If Favre’s body felt better (a lot less aches and pains), we could be in for a wonderful summer season of our favorite NFL soap opera “Will he or won’t he.” Stay tuned.


With over 18 years of experience in health, fitness, and sports performance improvement, Mr. Ziegler has helped some of the world’s best athletes find their groove in baseball, Olympic softball, basketball, football and many other sports. Learn more in About Zig Ziegler, Sports Kinesiologist.

Do You Experience Back Pain?

If you have ever experienced back pain, as bad as it may sound, it is very likely that there will be a recurrence of your symptoms.
According to researchers at the University of Illinois, only 15% of back pain is due to structural problems, such as ruptured discs or osteoarthritis. According to these experts, spine problems usually develop as part of a system of musculature imbalances from "the interaction of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the spine, or abnormal positions or posture. Therefore, the most important element of care for the neck, back, and spine involves strengthening and/or stretching the supporting muscles and maintaining good posture."

So while your symptoms  may range from annoying to excruciating, back pain is an extremely common problem for many. Studies show that 80% of us have experienced back pain at some point in our lives. (This medical statistic is exceeded only by the common headache) With 4 out of 5 people experiencing some degree of back pain at some time, there is little wonder that non athletes and athletes alike find back pain a continuing problem. Here are some tips to help minimize your risk of back pain and/or injury:

1)Stretch: Sitting for long periods of time can compress your back's disks, leading to pain. If you have a job hat requires a lot of sitting, try to get up every 30-60 minutes to stretch out. Clasp your hands behind your back, look up at the ceilng, and arch backward. When you sit, cushion your lumbar spine to maintain the normal curvature by scooting to the back of the chair and using a lumbar pillow or even a roll of paper toweling behind your waist for support.

2)Practice proper mechanic: Individuals who are active in sports, especially competitive sports, are at a higher risk for back injuries, so it is important to know the proper mechanics of any activities you are attempting to perform. Work with a performance enhancement specialist or personal trainer if necessary to ensure you understand how to maintain proper form and minimize your risk of injury.

3) Weekend warriors beware: Individuals who go out and exercise a lot after being primarily inactive all week are more likely to suffer a back injury than those who exercise moderately a few times per week. Whether it is walking, hiking, jogging or even lifting weights, make an effort to have some type of activity 4-5 times per week.

4)Quit smoking: While smoking may not be the actual cause of back pain, it does block the blood flow to spinal disks, causing them to age faster than normal. Smoking poses many health risks and can contribute to added injury risks.

5) Don't forget about your core: Developing the internal muscles of the abdomen, back and pelvis will help stabilize the body and prevent back pain. It is no secret why most professional and collegiate athletes have what we describe as chiseled abs. See a fitness professional for recommended exercise that are right for you.

6) Hydrating:  While we all know about the benefits drinking water, most of us do not drink enough. When you are thirsty, you are already past the point of when you should have drank some water. Drinking enough water may help reduce back pain and prevent future back problems. It's our body's vital fuel, a health drink from mother nature herself. It's calorie-free, inexpensive and easily obtained. Yet few people follow the old fashioned advice to drink eight glasses of water a day.

7) Stay lean: Being overweight can put unnecessary and injury causing stress and strain on your back. Aim fo a body mass index, commonly referred to as BMI,  of 18.5-24.9 to reduce stress on disks, ligaments and back joints. Calculate your BMI at http://www.webmd.com/diet/calc-bmi-plus


8) See a back specialist: A specialist can help you take charge of back pain by pinpointing the problem and helping you with srengthening and conditioning exercises to minimize and consequently eliminating the pain. To find a specialist in your area, visit the American Chiropractic Association at http://www.acatoday.org/search/memsearch.cfm

9) Use caution: You know your body better than anyone else. If something hurts, pay attention to it and do not try to work through it as you may cause further damage. Recommendations are simply that, recommendations and are something you should do but may not be required to do. Keep in mind that a symptom can have more than one cause. What may work for someone else may not work for you.


Some content courtesy of Linda Hepler, BSN, RN

Why Mark Sanchez is not the same quarterback who led the Jets to the AFC Championship game

As the NFL lockout appears to soon be over, I came across this story which was put together with information provided by Zig Ziegler, one of my mentors and an expert in biomechanics, injury prevention and sports performance enhancement.

Why Mark Sanchez is not the same quarterback who led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game and how an old injury has held him back and will continue to do so in 2011.

As one of the top quarterbacks in the NCAA at USC, Sanchez suffered a career threatening injury to his patella tendon in 2008. While the injury on the surface does not seem to garner as much attention as the dreaded torn ACL, it actually can be significantly more difficult to recover from. This is due to the relationship between the patella tendon and the quadriceps muscle group of the thigh. The patella tendon attaches the major muscles of the quadriceps to the lower leg (tibia). This connection provides stability to the knee and assists the muscle in moving the lower leg.

Typically, an injury to the patella (also known as the knee cap) and patella tendon occurs in the form of either a partial or complete rupture (tear) or a subluxation or dislocation of the joint. A tear might be easier to recover from because the typical mechanism of the injury is related to over use. However, the subluxation or dislocation is typically related to rotation of the patella to a position where the tendon no longer is "in line" with the patella.

Sanchez, apparently never fully recovered from his patella tendon/knee injury at USC. As a result, in February of 2010, Sanchez underwent surgery on the left knee to repair the patella tendon, which was deemed necessary by team physicians. An injury of this nature, to a player like Sanchez, does more than limit his mobility as we might assume.  As a quarterback, Sanchez relies on the knee to make him agile in the pocket. But more importantly, as a right-handed quarterback, the left knee is the joint which provides stability as he throws the ball. It also must absorb rotational forces initiated when the quarterback firmly plants his left foot and initiates the throw.

In an evaluation of his throwing mechanics in video footage from 2010, 2009 and 2008, his mechanics show a poorly planting left foot and extreme extension of the left knee during delivery. This is a subconscious compensation or adjustment Sanchez has made to reduce the rotational force on this knee which could cause another and potentially more severe left knee injury. In addition, his risk of injury includes possible ACL injuries to both knees and possible lower back pain. As a result of his compensation, Sanchez has a tendency to deliver the ball with a more pronounced vertical movement of his throwing arm during delivery. This is more noticeable on balls thrown deep to the right as it will cause balls to the right to sail higher than expected. (Derek Anderson are you listening?) This can lead to more incompletions when throwing to the right or worse, more interceptions in that direction.

When throwing to the left, Sanchez more than likely will demonstrate throws which appear to lead the receiver in that direction because he is more likely to have natural rotation of his body increase. (Please understand that this flaw also can lead to incompletions as Sanchez may still be off target from where his throw is intended.)

Until Sanchez works to increase the rotational stability of his left knee, he will continue to struggle in and out of the pocket with mobility and accuracy. Just as importantly, Sanchez will continue to struggle with his confidence as he fails to achieve the success he was accustomed to in his early days at USC.

My number one exercise for Sanchez? Well there are actually three.

1.  Medicinal ball rotational twist to the left side
2.  Single leg hamstring curls on both legs with an emphasis on the left leg. (Hey Mark, be sure to focus on doing these in the prone position and keep your glutes tight so you don't arch your back)
3.  Increase left ankle mobility with manual therapy

We'll see what the Jets training staff has in store for Mark and the subsequent results. Let's play some football.

MLB All Star Fan Fest/Youth Clinic

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending time at the MLB AllStar Fan Fest at the Phoenix Convention Center.
My younger son Ruben who is 12 was selected to participate in a Nike/Sports Authority sponsored clinic.
The clinic began with what looked like a press conference but was an up close and personal Q and A with San Francisco outfielder Cody Ross and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
Among the things asked, both players were asked who their heroes were growing up. Cody responded that his dad was his mentor and hero, while Jacoby replied his dad as well and added that his dad not only taught him the game but made him a homemade tee and would come home late from work and still play catch with him. When asked who their favorite players were, Cody's was Cal Ripken Jr. and Jacoby's was Ozzie Smith. (funny they both named shortstops) While the discussion ended up being longer than I believed to be ideal for the kids, Cody and Jacoby made some great points and I believe they left a lasting impression.
The best advice Cody ever received was from a little league coach, who said, "You gotta give it all you got. It doesn't take talent to hustle." Jacoby's advice was based on something he heard from one of his coaches at Oregon State after a less than stellar at-bat, "What are you doing? You are too talented to hold your head down. Pick your head up and enjoy playing the game." Both players acknowledged growing up with dreams of playing Major League Baseball and they both were consistent in their advice to the kids about following your dreams, giving it everything you have and enjoying the game. It made me reflect back to my youth and I had a pretty good idea how every kid felt in the room.
The clinic was a bonus and while I know the kids, including Ruben, enjoyed it, they were all looking forward to the Fan Fest. It was a sight to see. Imagine a giant baseball themed playground and you have a pretty good idea of what it was like. There were cages to hit, pitching areas equipped with radars, autograph opportunities from Hall of Famers such as Gaylord Perry, Lee Smith, Ferguson Jenkins and Tony Gwynn. Other former and current MLB players who were also there to sign autographs were former Nomar Garciaparra, Matt Williams and Justin Upton. Another attraction which was very popular was the Taco Bell sponsored booth which allowed you to steal a base against video screened players such as Derek Jeter and Carl Crawford to name a few. My favorite and what seemed like my boys favorite as well was the Under Armour Combine display which scored each individual on running the bases, outfield throwing accuracy, vertical leap and an agility drill.

In addition to the attractions, there were World Series, MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger trophies on display and quite the selection of memorabilia to view and potentially purchase. Overall it was a blast to attend and even more so to see the joy it brought my kids. I hope to attend again in the future and look forward to seeing the set up in a different city.

Kurt Warner's Ultimate Football Experience (March 2011)

On the heels of the NFL lockout, I had the privilege of attending Kurt Warner’s Ultimate Football Experience this past weekend which began with a Draft Party at F1 Race Factory in Phoenix on Friday March 11th 

and culminated with the Game Day at the Arizona Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe on Saturday March 12th. As one can imagine, it was an amazing event which those in attendance can attest to, and left me with the feeling that next year this is a “can’t miss” event. As mentioned on Kurt’s website (www.kurtwarner.org) the event is a fantasy day giving gridiron fans from the corporate world a once in a lifetime opportunity to play football with the pros.

While I was not a participant in the games, being on the sidelines and chatting with the likes of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, joking with Kurt about him doing the “dougie” and watching former Dallas Cowboy and Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin pick up my baby girl like she was his own, I felt like a kid again and was in complete fan mode.

Arizona Cardinal Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fizgerald signed a jersey for me, former New York Giant and perennial Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan cracked jokes (like that’s a surprise) and I even gave a hard time to former Oakland Raider and Kansas City Chief quarterback Rich Gannon about a certain Pro Bowl story I heard about from former Cleveland Brown and Arizona Cardinal linebacker Jamir Miller. While Jamir was not a participant, he was one of the many sponsors of the event with his newly launched line of gluten free Crave Chips (www.cravechips.com). Also playing in the tournament were Arizona Cardinals receiver Steve Breaston, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and Minnesota Viking quarterback Brad Johnson, Kansas City Chief quarterback Matt Cassel and last but certainly not least Green Bay Packer and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

 While the NFL lockout may have been on most of these guys’ minds, you could not tell by their demeanor. The games were a blast to watch and extremely competitive. Even though Rich Gannon’s team ended up as the champions, Kurt showed that he still had it and left many wishing he would lace them up again. As fans we don’t often get to see this relaxed and playful side of the players and rarely up this close as we fans are bombarded with media reports on holdouts, suspensions and even arrests. This day was different. Nobody lost money on the games, there were no season or career ending injuries and nobody got released for their performance. Imagine playing catch with friends but catching passes which tighter spirals, passes that have more zip to them and are thrown by current and former NFL stars. Everyone walks away a winner and while I have some work to do, I plan to suit up next year.

 
Kurt’s First Things First Foundation is “Dedicated to impacting lives by promoting Christian values, sharing experiences and providing opportunities to encourage everyone that all things are possible when people seek to put first things first.” Check his website for future events at www.kurtwarner.org