About Sports Medicine

Are Athletes Born or Built?

2010-02-09T11:43:04Z

Genetics shape us in many ways including our athletic potential. Just how important are genetics in athletic success? They certainly help and may even give you an athletic edge, but your genes alone won't win you any medals. Learn what else affects your success.

Are Athletes Born or Built? originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 11:43:04.

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When Do You Replace Your Running Shoes?

2010-02-06T14:17:07Z

If you're like me, buying running shoes is never easy and I'll put it off as long as possible. But running in old shoes doesn't do us any favors. As running shoes break down, they lose both stability and shock absorption capacity. This increases the stress on both muscles and joints and may set you up for an overuse injury.

To avoid many running injuries, experts recommend you replace your running shoes every 320 to 550 miles, but how many of you do that? Do you even know how old your running shoes are?

Show us your old running shoes and tell us how you know when it's finally time to say goodbye.

When Do You Replace Your Running Shoes? originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 14:17:07.

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Talus (Ankle) Fracture Show and Tell

2010-02-03T14:57:22Z

One unlucky reader explains how a misstep lead to a nasty fracture of the talus (ankle) bone:

How I Fractured My Talus: During a jog I took a misstep off a curb; that's all it took for me to fracture the talus. Ouch. The worst pain I've ever felt.

How Long Was Your Recovery?: Months. They thought it would heal, but actually I needed surgery to remove a piece of bone that was not attaching - it was called a nonunion fracture. So after a whole year of pain, they took out the piece of bone and I recovered within a few weeks.

Tips and Tricks:: I wish I didn't wait do long before insisting on more treatment, xrays and an mri to find the problem. It shouldn't take a year to heal a fracture!

How Long Was It Before You Returned to Sports?: After the final surgery, I was biking in a week, and walking in 2 weeks and running in a month.

Read more: Talus Fracture Stories

Share your own: Talus fracture Story

Talus (Ankle) Fracture Show and Tell originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 14:57:22.

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Build Core Strength Today

2010-01-30T14:09:01Z

Looking for some new core exercises to add to your regular ab workouts? Try these two core strengthening exercises for a new way to build strength and stability.

Build Core Strength Today originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 14:09:01.

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Getting the Most Out of Doctor Visits

2010-01-26T16:11:41Z

Many people leave their doctor's office with more questions than answers. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your appointment.

You may also want to check out About.com's Symptom Checker .

Getting the Most Out of Doctor Visits originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 16:11:41.

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Common Race Day Mistakes

2010-01-22T17:17:29Z

Do you perform well during training only to come up short on race days? If so, you may be making these common mistakes that many athletes make during competition.

Starting Out Too Fast
Using New Gear During Competition
Eating New Foods Before or During Competition
Skipping the Warm Up
Not Knowing the Course

How about you? What Was Your Biggest Race Day Mistake?.

Share your biggest race day mistake with other athletes and tell us how it changed the way you compete.

Common Race Day Mistakes originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 17:17:29.

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Best Stretching Exercises for Snowboarding

2010-01-19T10:53:50Z

Snowboarding is a graceful, but demanding sport that requires strength, agility, endurance and flexibility. To prevent injury and perform your best, it's important to warm up and stretch well before you hit the slopes.

Try these stretching exercises for snowboarding.

Best Stretching Exercises for Snowboarding originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 10:53:50.

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What Causes Sudden Death In Young Athletes?

2010-01-16T14:22:42Z

Sudden death in young athletes, while rare, is often a sobering reminder of the importance of basic safety precautions for every young athlete who participates in organized sports. While not every death can be prevented, there are precautions that may minimize the risk of death and serious injuries.

What Cause Sudden Death in Athletes?

The vast majority of sudden death in young athletes is an underlying heart condition. Left undiagnosed, intense physical exertion may trigger a lethal cardiac arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation.

The most common underlying heart conditions for young athletes who die suddenly include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congenital abnormalities in the coronary arteries.

Commotio Cordis. This is a rare cause of sudden cardiac arrest from a blow to the chest. Statistics show that this injury occurs more frequently in athletes playing hockey, lacrosse, baseball or football.

Learn more about sudden death in athletes at the U.S. National Registry for Sudden Death in Athletes.

Preventing Sudden Death in Athletes

Athletes can be alerted to any risk factors they may have by undergoing a simple sports physical, and using the right sports safety equipment.

Parents of student athletes may also want to review the following:

What Causes Sudden Death In Young Athletes? originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 14:22:42.

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When Can I Return To Play?

2010-01-13T10:40:48Z

If you have had a recent injury one of your main concerns may be how soon you can return to play. The answer to this question is important because returning too soon can increase your risk of re-injury or developing a chronic problem that will lead to a longer recovery. Waiting too long, however, can lead to unnecessary deconditioning.

When Can I Return To Play? originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 at 10:40:48.

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Mark McGwire Admits He Took Steroids

2010-01-11T16:19:35Z

The Associated Press just released a statement from former St. Louis Cardinals� player, Mark McGwire, who admitted to using steroids on and off for nearly ten years. He said he was using steroids when he broke the major league home run record in 1998. He also admitted to using human growth hormone.� McGwire apologized for his actions saying, "I wish I had never touched steroids. It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era."

McGwire, who retired in 2001 with 583 home runs, is no stranger to allegations of steroid use.� Former teammate Jose Canseco named McGwire as a steroid user in the book "Juiced"�and McGwire's name has been linked to androstenedione (Andro) for years.

Read the story in The Washington Post.

Most fans aren't surprised by the announcement. The list of baseball players accused of using steroids grows longer every season.

What do you think about athletes use of performance-enhancing substances? Leave your comments below.

Mark McGwire Admits He Took Steroids originally appeared on About.com Sports Medicine on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 16:19:35.

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