Concussion Avoidance

Football-HelmetOne of the best ways to avoid a concussion is to stay clear of activities where you may hit hour head. That seems to be the opinion of a quarter of parents, who said they will not let their kids play in football due to concerns over concussions, according to a recent Truven Health Analytics and NPR Health Poll. Continue reading Concussion Avoidance

Sports and Fitness App Market Flexes its Muscles

MapMyRun_screenWe use apps for sports and fitness related activities, and a new report says that many others do as well. “The World Market for Sports & Fitness Monitors — 2013 Edition,” a report released by IHS, forecasts that by 2017 app downloads will grow from 156 million (in 2012) to reach 248 million. Continue reading Sports and Fitness App Market Flexes its Muscles

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

September means the end of summer, and with the coming of fall, it is a time when kids are headed back to school and starting up old routines like classes, homework, and hopefully some involvement in teams, sports and activities with friends. September is also Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

To help encourage activity, there’s plenty of ways to use technology to get kids excited.

There are activity monitors that turn walking and other movement into a game. Technology is improving sporting equipment. But sometimes the best tool is the simple one, such as a ball or a jump rope.

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Official Website

Will 3D Change the Way the Game is Played

There has been a lot of talk this year about 3D, and what 3D means for sports. But most of the talk has been centered around how those sitting on the couch will experience the game, not in how it is played. So far the emphasis has been in watching sports in 3D on TV, but this weekend The New York Times reported that another facet of 3D is in the works, which could make the way the athletes prepare for the game – big and small. Continue reading Will 3D Change the Way the Game is Played

Gamers and Athletes Have Much in Common

Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel uses actual exercise to hone his gaming skills

Leave it to the Brits to come up with a study that compares top athletes to gamers. According to British academics, including University of Essex professor Dr. Dominic Micklewright, gamers share many characteristics with those engaging in sports. His findings were part of a BBC Radio 4 documentary, where he noted that games like sports, involve high degree of skill, and both are governed by strict rules.

However, as PC Pro reported, professional gamers tended to be less – well to put to bluntly – “physically able” than true athletes, and gamers often had health problems that athletes don’t have. This is notable as gamers can be a bit more sedentary and at times unhealthy life, as professional gamers can spend as much as 10 hours a day in front of the screen practicing.

What is also notable is that Dr. Micklewright further suggested that gamers actually get REAL exercise, which could in part help improve gaming performance. It was mentioned that top US player Johnathan Wendel (better known as “Fatal1ty”) regularly uses exercise as a type of “cross training” which makes him more physically fit, and possibly keeps him at the top of his game.

Via PC Pro: What gamers have in common with top athletes

Look for Sports/Fitness in the Classifieds

Are you looking for a lacrosse team to join? Are you looking for a running partner? Do you want to sell the bike you just replaced? Esportsboard is a new local classifieds just for sports and fitness. It’s like Craigslist.org, but just the athletics. The site lets you buy and sell used gear, equipment, and apparel; promote local services such as a trainer, pitching coach, or fishing guide; post announcements including teams looking for players; find people looking for partners for running or cycling; and promote tournaments, camps, and fund raisers. Anything sports-related, there’s a category.

When you visit Esportsboard it recognizes what city you’re in, and asks if that’s where you’re looking. The site says it aggregates classifieds for over 4,500 local sports organizations, and serves 160 million Americans actively participating in sports and recreation. If you’re looking to put your kid in little league, or want to find a group of runners to train with, it’s a good place to find that, and get the gear to outfit you for your sport.

Classifieds: Esportsboard.com