Exercise - Free Fitness Library
Active Kids - Teenage Athletes should beware of chronic knee pain
Teenage athletes who practice long hours often suffer knee pain, according to an orthopaedic surgeon.
"Chronic knee pain, in the absence of an obvious injury, is considered to be one of the most common orthopaedic problems in adolescent athletes," Dr Kenneth E DeHaven said recently at a seminar in Vancouver, Canada, sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
The pain is often caused by an injury to the patellar tendon that surrounds the kneecap, according to DeHaven.
To avoid this kind of injury, DeHaven suggests that teens properly warm up before participating in any athletic activity, wear proper footwear and avoid playing on hard or irregular surfaces.
Teens also can avoid knee injuries by strengthening quadriceps and
hamstring muscles, according to DeHaven. He recommended the following
exercises:
Leg extensions: Sit upright in a chair, lift one leg off the floor and
extend it fully. Then lower it slowly. Repeat 10 times and then do the
same with the opposite leg.
Quadriceps stretch: Stand with a hand on the wall or a table for support. Lift and hold one foot behind the body with your other hand. Pull the foot upward to feel the stretch in the front of the thigh. Hold for 10 counts. Repeat with other leg.
Source: Medical Tribune News Service 1994
BABIES HOOKED ON JUNK FOOD?
For the past 25 years well-known baby food manufacturers have legally been adding an 'unnecessary' ingredient to a number of their products - maltodextrin. Essentially a partially broken-down carbohydrate, maltodextrin is classed as a 'safe food' in the sense that it passes all the world-wide restrictions. Whilst not exactly harmful, it is regularly used by the baby food industry as a cheap, sweet-tasting bulking agent to give processed foods a smooth, creamy texture. This ultimately encourages young babies to become 'hooked' on poor quality, high additive, synthetic foods later in life.
This is just one of may fact disclosed in an invaluable new reference book for health conscious parents. A good read, especially if want the best for your offspring, published by HarperCollins, priced £4.99, paperback
THE FOX & HOUNDS COMMIT TO GET "FIT" SUMMERTIME WORKOUTS
FitClub, the professional association for children's health related fitness, has teamed up with Walt Disney Pictures to present an innovative workout promotion to children, schoolteachers and instructors alike. With the re-release of the original "Fox & Hounds" feature film planned for summer 1995, a new generation of children will be introduced to, and entertained by, one of Disney's best loved classic animated tales in the "Commit To Get Fit" programme for children.
Recognising the importance of fitness for today's young film-goers, Walt Disney Pictures have worked closely with FitClub to produce a themed workout to complement the "Fox & Hounds" storyline. Each child will be challenged to "commit to get fit" by achieving 365 minutes of exercise in 10 fitness adventures during the summer months. Each child will receive Certificates of Fitness Achievement on completing the adventures followed by a visit to the nearest cinema to see the spectacular film.
For further information on how to run your own Disney Production or the "Commit To Get Fit" programme for children please contact:
FitClub
UEL, Longbridge Rd
Dagenham
Essex RM8 2AS
TEL: 0181 849 3567
SPINA BIFIDA WEEK 31st JULY - 6th AUGUST - FOLIC ACID STILL A WELL KEPT SECRET
For the second year ASBAH (Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) have joined forces with Cantassium - the vitamin experts - to mount Spina Bifida Week which continues the campaign to create greater awareness of the importance of taking a Folic Acid supplement.
Department of Health recommendations made in 1992 that all women who were hoping to conceive, and those in the early stages of pregnancy, should take a Folic Acid supplement to reduce the risk of their child being born with a neural tube defect such as Spina Bifida.
Despite millions of pounds spent on awareness campaigns by both the government and vitamin manufacturers many women are still in the dark when it comes to the merits of Folic Acid. A nation-wide Gallup survey commissioned by Cantassium, on the awareness of Folic Acid, recently conducted amongst women of 16-49 reveals the alarming levels of ignorance:
Whilst two thirds of women had heard of Folic Acid only one in four knew why it was beneficial
Many women thought it helped combat PMT, feeling tired and colds and flu
15% heard about Folic Acid through magazines - 2% more than doctors!
50% overall still do not know why they should be taking it!
Only one in four mothers knew about the benefits of taking Folic Acid
From the 16-24 year old group surveyed 60% were not aware that taking Folic Acid can help prevent children being born with Spina Bifida.
There are 15,000 people known to have Spina Bifida in England, Wales and Northern Ireland supported by ASBAH and still over 1,000 Spina Bifida pregnancies throughout the UK each year with 80% resulting in termination. To ensure that women know about the importance of taking Folic Acid before conceiving, information leaflets about trial packs of Cantassium Folic Acid are available by writing to ASBAH/Folic Acid, Larkhall Natural Health Ltd, 225 Putney Bridge Rd, London, SW15 2PY enclosing two first class stamps and a self addressed envelope.
FAMILY BED TOO SMALL! - Fear of smothering your child
Research by the Foundation for the study of Infant Deaths (FSID) suggests it may be beneficial that babies might be kept in their parents room in a cot by the side of the bed.
You baby is not influenced by your body heat, or your duvet covers, and equally important - any nappy leaks are confined to the cot area alone! This is the ideal solution for many modern parents, who recognise the benefits of sleeping with their baby, but who need plenty of space for themselves.
HANSEN'S THE CHOICE FOR HYPERACTIVE CHILDREN
Food additives, such as artificial colourings, artificial flavourings and preservatives, have been found to affect many hyperactive children following research carried out in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Hyperactivity is a very distressing and multiple disability which affects, in varying degrees, thousands of babies, children and adults. It is symptomatic of a wide range of disorders affecting behaviour, learning processes and communication. HACSG is a nation-wide organisation concerned with care, counselling, education and research.
Sally Bunday, director of the Hyperactive Children's Support Group said "Hansen's is a brand of soft drink we have recently found which would be worth trying for those children who are sensitive to these additives."
Hansen's Natural California's leading all natural soft drink is 100% natural, free from preservatives, artificial colouring, artificial sweeteners, caffeine and sodium, including sodium benzoate (E211) which is present in almost all other soft drinks. It is also suitable for those children suffering from asthma, uritcaria or allergies. Unlike other soft drinks, Hansen's Natural use no added sugar having developed a natural fructose which is used as a sweetener ensuring the product is kinder to teeth.
FREE!!! ACTIVE DAY OUT!!!
Take the kids to Thorpe Park for an active day out to see the thrilling Konica Splastacular this summer.
The unique stunt dive show is awash with death defying fire and dives and a nerve tingling high dive from 85 feet up! The highest most splashtacular dive in the UK into just 10 feet of water, is higher than the top cliff in Acapulco, and the equivalent height to 6 double decker buses!
Or visit the new fungle jungle adventures in Ranger County. An extensive lush and leafy jungle sets the scene in Ranger County, home of the popular Thorpe Park Rangers, for the new Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels and Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari.
Giant pop-up story books tell the story of the legend of the Rangers in 3D, where a magical experience will unfold on Mr Rabbit's Tropical Travels aboard a jungle boat which takes a trip down the 'Magic River of Wishes'. Children will be entranced with the sparkling waterfalls, twinkling fairyland grotto, colourful rainbows and special effects. Make a wish to go to Thorpe Park on the Magic River of Wishes and they become part of that very special wish.
Load up with pith helmets, butterfly nets and bulging trunks and you can drive yourself on Miss Hippo's Fungle Safari. An intrepid expedition through a swampy jungle, where you'll spot giant bones, scary skeletons, masks and native shields on Thorpe Park's own fun-jungle safari.
Thorpe Park is open every day from Saturday 8th April - Sunday 29th October from 10.00am - 5.00pm (until 6.00pm during summer holidays) and is located off Junction 11 of 13 on the M25. A Family Supersaver ticket for a family of four costs just £40.00.
We have 5 family tickets to give away. Simply send in your name and address on a postcard marked "Thorpe Park".
STEP OUT IN STYLE THIS SUMMER IN SUN SAFE CLOTHING
For the ultimate in sun safety this summer, use sun protective clothing, produced as part of the Health Education Authority's skin cancer campaign. Available by mail order, the exclusive 'Sun Know How' range of clothing means you and your kids can have fun in the sun without risking your health.
For further information Tel: 0800 665 544