October 2018 – Page 2

Tennis Elbow Exercises

Posted on October 17, 2018 by blogger

Tennis elbow is an overuse injury of the elbow. Exercise is one of the most effective form of tennis elbow treatment. Regular practice of some simple exercises can be helpful in uprooting tennis elbow problem completely. Fore arm extension, finger stretching, hammering etc. are among the several existing tennis elbow exercises.

To perform fore arm extension exercise, place your forearm on a table and make sure that your elbow and forearm feels supported and relaxed, and then let your affected hand hang from the table. Now hold a dumbell in your hand and try to flex/bend your wrist back or bring your knuckles facing up towards you as far as you can. And then relax down, still keeping your palm facing up.

Finger stretching is very simple exercise. With your hands, spread the fingers as far out as possible and then hold this position for 10 seconds. Relax and then repeat again. This is a good exercise to strengthen your wrist and also stretch your fingers.

However, you need to remember that if you practice wrong exercise or right exercise in a wrong way your situation may worsen. It is advisable that you talk to an expert for this.

For information on curing tennis elbow by tennis elbow exercises , visit this page: tennis elbow treatment

Exploring The World Of Synthetic Tennis Turf

Posted on October 14, 2018 by blogger

Artificial turf or synthetic grass for sports is a large industry, including tennis. Turf used for tennis is a great alternative to regular grass courts. There are several different types of artificial grass products designed specifically for sports like tennis. Artificial grass is a low maintenance and aesthetically beautiful playing surface for tennis. Many recreational and training tennis courts are made from clay. The French Open is also played on clay courts. These clay courts are typically made from crushed shale, brick, or stone. The hard surface of clay courts can usually contribute to a strong bounce for tennis balls. Clay surface tennis courts are usually cheaper to install, however, its high maintenance in comparison to grass courts is much more costly. Clay courts must be rolled and balanced to make sure that the playing surface is level and safe for performance.
Grass courts tend to be more expensive initially, but typically require less maintenance. Wimbledon is played on a traditional natural grass court. Natural grass courts are made from grass grown on hard-packed soil. Grass court surfaces can tend to be a bit more slippery of a surface, requiring players to get to the ball faster. Grass courts must be mowed, watered, and maintained just like any other natural grass lawn. Due to the moderately high cost of maintenance, including the cost of watering, more and more tennis courts have converted to the use of a less costly surface.
Synthetic grass tennis court surfaces are a very low maintenance alternative to both natural grass and clay courts. The infill for artificial grass tennis courts is comprised of silica, sand, and sometimes crushed rubber. This ensures that the grass is durable and can withstand strong play and performance. Maintenance is minimal with artificial turf tennis courts. Since there is absolutely no watering required, the cost of maintenance is cheaper than that of natural grass courts. Simple maintenance for artificial grass courts includes removing surface debris, including leaves or other organic debris. Taking preventative measures also helps with maintaining the quality of the court. This includes making sure athletes do not use excessively muddy or dirty shoes that can get trapped in the infill.
Artificial grass courts prove to be a wonderful alternative to traditional clay or natural grass courts because of its low maintenance. Though it’s up front cost may be a bit more expensive, a lot of money can be saved on maintenance over time. This includes water and energy bills used for watering and mowing. This also includes labor costs for rolling clay courts on a regular basis. Since synthetic grass courts do not need fertilizer to maintain its green color, artificial grass tennis courts look healthy all year long. Despite weather changes or transitions between seasons, artificial grass tennis courts always maintain their lush and natural appearance. Water logging or bacterial spores are of no concern for synthetic grass courts due to its design. Water can permeate through easily, draining any liquid or rain that may come into contact with the surface of the court. Whether it is smaller recreational or training courts, to large courts used by professionals, synthetic grass tennis courts are the impressive alternative.

Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow – Tips on Getting Elbow Pain Relief

Posted on October 11, 2018 by blogger

Despite its name,”tennis elbow” can affect anyone who does any activity that has repetitive motions of the wrist or forearm. You could even call it Golfer’s Elbow for that matter as it very well could affect golfers too.

It is a very painful condition that is described as inflammation and pain on the outside part of your upper arm near your elbow. In more severe cases there could also be tendon damage as in torn tendons which connect your muscle to your bone. Ouch!!

So, now that we know what it is, lets look at some of the symptoms of tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow and some tips on how to get elbow pain relief.

Some of the more common symptoms of this condition are;

1) pain when you try to lift something eg. A coffee mug,

2) pain coming from the outside of the elbow to the forearm and back of the hand when you try to grasp or twist anything and

3) pain that continues to get worse rather than better.

Your doctor would not typically suggest an x-ray as this would show everything as normal and not detect the problem. He/she might apply pressure on the tendon in the area to see if that is where the issue is.

The body can heal itself on this one depending on the severity of the injury, but there are ways that you can help it along the process. You want to take this route first and avoid having surgery if possible right? I thought so.

Here are some steps that you can take to heal and get rid of the painful symptoms of tennis elbow:

1. Limit Use of the affected arm – some actually put their arm in a splint for a few weeks in an effort to limit the activity for that arm to allow the healing process to take place.

2. Heat Therapy – using heat pads applied to the area helps the blood to circulate more in that area which promotes healing.

3. Cold Therapy – you can actually alternate hot and cold therapy as well as use them in sync with each other. In other words, first apply the hot, then the cold, then the hot again and so on for maybe a half hour every day. This boosts the blood circulation in the area.

4. Massage – get a professional masseusse who knows how to do massage for this type of injury or you may be sorry that you opted for this therapy.

5. Rest – rest allows the body to get back in balance so avoid strenuous activities

6. Physical Therapy – this can also be very helpful for this condition. There are particular tennis elbow exercises you will be instructed to do.

Expect that the healing process will take a few months so stock up on your patience. Many who get impatient and try resuming certain activities actually make matters worse to the point where surgery becomes their only option so be careful with this condition.

Always look for the natural solutions to any condition that affects you or your loved ones as they are always available and usually have little to no side effects contrary to prescription drugs. Stay well.

The Family Ties Of The Polo, Golf, And Tennis Shirt

Posted on October 9, 2018 by blogger

A tennis shirt is actually what most people are referring to when they say “polo shirt” or “golf shirt.” These are a type of t-shirt that has a collar, two or three buttons down the front slit, and two side slits on the bottom. They often come with a chest pocket and made from such fine fabrics as; knitted pique cotton, merino wool, and silk.

Rene Lacoste, a 7-time tennis Grand Slam winner from France, is credited as the first person to create the tennis shirt when he introduced his shirt design in 1929. The idea of creating the shirt came to Lacoste because the tennis apparel up to that time consisted of long-sleeved shirts, trousers and ties. The clothes worn by tennis players on the tennis court during the 19th and early 20th centuries were more appropriate for offices. Besides, the dress shirts worn on the courts were stiff and the ties heavy.

On the other hand, Lacoste’s tennis shirt had a thick collar, was loose and non-starched, was made of pique cotton, had side slits at the bottom, and sported a longer shirt-tail. The thick collar, when turned up, provided protection to the neck so that the player didn’t get sun burned.

What’s interesting about Lacoste’s tennis shirt was that polo players were already wearing shirts of the same design since the late 19th century. Back then, they wore long-sleeved shirts that had a button-down collar. These shirts were made of thick Oxford-cloth cotton. Even though the collar of this shirt-style was thick and didn’t constantly flap from the wind, these polo shirts were still not comfortable nor were they convenient to wear. Thus, when polo players discovered Lacoste’s shirt design during the 1930s, they didn’t think twice about adopting his design for their polo shirt.

It didn’t take long for tennis shirts and polo shirts to be synonymous. When the 1950s came around, polo shirts were regarded as formal tennis attire in the United States. Even tennis players were calling their attire “polo shirt”. In reality, though, the “polo shirt” was actually first worn during a tennis game and not during a polo game.

The polo shirt reached its peak of popularity in 1967 when Ralph Lauren introduced his original clothing line aptly named Polo. Ralph Lauren’s shirts weren’t made for players to wear during polo games but the association of the polo shirt with the idea of leisure propelled his shirt into an instant hit with non-polo players.

Golf attire used to be formal, but in the 20th century, golf players started to wear less formal and more easygoing golf apparel. It wasn’t just polo players who started adopting the tennis shirt as standard sports attire, but golf players as well. Today, you’ll see most golf players wearing these shirts at tournaments. However, since golf is very different from tennis, the tennis shirts for golf players has to have a different cut design which differentiates the golf shirt from a tennis shirt.

Tennis shirts are so common today; they are worn by practically anyone whether they play sports or not. Men and women wear them regardless of occasion. Clothing companies typically have their own version of Lacoste’s shirt. These shirts are the perfect attire for times when round-collar t-shirts are too informal and formal business wear is too overdressed. You’ll find semi-professional people and those in the retail industry often wearing tennis shirts to work. In many workplace environments, these shirts are acceptable work attire as they’re smart and casual.

Then in the 1990s, the tennis shirt became the standard attire (business informal/casual) in the high-tech industry. This eventually spread to other industries. Companies eventually started printing their logos on tennis shirts when they became the corporate apparel. This way, the shirts provide the ultimate casual work wear while setting corporate identity and uniformity among employees at the same time.

In sports, tennis shirts are the standard attire. Caddies, umpires, and sports announcers wear tennis shirts. The shirts are also commonly worn in schools both by teachers and students. In many schools, these shirts are actually the required uniform.

Tennis shirts are, above all, associated very closely with sports, so most tennis shirts come in light colors, with white being the most typical color. Aside from the color, the “tennis tail” is another feature of the shirt design. Tennis shirts typically have a back that is a few centimeters longer than the front of the shirt. This is actually an original design by Lacoste. The tennis tail is designed such that when a tennis player leans forward, the back of the shirt remains tucked in his shorts.

Comfort And Performance Tennis Apparel Buying Tips

Posted on October 6, 2018 by blogger

Before you sweat it out, make sure you have the sportswear that gives you an edge on the tennis court.
The first rule when it comes to tennis: don’t wear something other than a set of clothing items made exclusively for tennis players. T-shirts and jeans are a no-no on the tennis court, as they make you feel heavy and restrained. Worse, you might fall or hurt yourself during the game if you insist on playing with your denim pants on. A good tennis sportswear allows you to move and run freely on the court minus the discomfort and pain. Simply put, you can’t play your best tennis game without the right apparel.
Unlike sports like basketball and badminton, tennis is not unisex. That means male and female tennis players wear entirely different kinds of tennis sportswear. For example, shorts are for men and skirts are for women. Typically, male tennis players wear a polo-style shirt, tennis shorts, socks, and tennis shoes. For women, the basic clothing items consist of a tank top or polo-style top, skirt or skorts (a pair of shorts with a flap of fabric in the front area), and dress. For added support and comfort, women tennis players also need high-quality sports bras.
Correct fitting and length is a major consideration when buying apparel for tennis. Imagine how uncomfortable it is to move around on the court as you’re wearing tight or baggy tennis clothing items. Know your size first before hunting for the best tennis wear for you.
You should also consider the materials when you choose the right tennis wear. For maximum comfort, go for clothing items that are breathable and can draw off moisture. The best material for tennis wear is a breathable synthetic cotton blend. A sportswear made of 100% cotton, though breathable and lightweight, is not advised because it tends to absorb sweat?thus making you feel extremely uncomfortable.
When it comes to color, choose light-colored apparel because it can keep you cool while playing the game. Light colors don’t absorb heat as much as dark colors do. Because many tennis courts permit players to wear any light-colored clothing, most tennis wear brands offer apparel in light colors.
Aside from the shirt and shorts or skirt, you also need to spend some time in choosing other tennis clothing items such as shoes, socks, headbands, and wristbands. The right pair of tennis shoes is necessary for providing support, cushion, and grip for the feet.
While it seems any pair of socks will do for tennis games, you need to be careful when choosing socks. It’s recommended that you buy socks with a cotton blend that fits just right. Look for socks that can absorb sweat and doesn’t irritate the skin. That said, cotton socks are not advised for tennis since they hold moisture, which causes skin irritation and discomfort.
You may want to get optional tennis clothing items such as headbands and wristbands. When you play tennis, sweat usually drips into your eyes, making you lose focus on the game. Sweat that falls onto your racket also makes it slippery and causes you to lose your grip. To absorb sweat and play tennis without hassles, then it’s best to buy your own headbands and wristbands.
Tennis apparel is all about comfort and performance on the tennis court. Keep these two things in mind when you shop for the right tennis sportswear.