Academic News from humankinetics.com July 2008

Welcome to the July issue of Academic News.

This month we take a look at the latest scientific and technological advancements set to make waves at the 2008 Beijing Olympics; from ’superhero’ swimwear to synthetic hormones. Also we ponder the wider cultural significance of the games with a round table discussion from the world of academia. And, as ever, we bring you the very latest information on the best new Human Kinetics titles avaliable for your consideration.

Product of the month… Take action in the treatment and prevention of overtraining athletes Pollock’s Textbook of Cardiovascular Disease and Rehabilitation Hannah’s lucky numbers and the appliance of science How will they stand the heat? The Olympics: Politics and Protest BHFNC 8th Annual Conference Erythropoietin (EPO) explained Speedo’s suit divides swimming world Academic News inspection copy requests

Take action in the treatment and prevention of overtraining athletes

It is no secret that in order to improve your performance as an athlete you have got to work hard. Sometimes exercising for longer and harder, but without adequate rest and recovery can backfire and actually decrease your performance. Conditioning requires a balance between overload and recovery. Too much overload and/or too little recovery may result in both physical and psychological symptoms of overtraining, when you train beyond your body’s ability to recover. Overtraining Athletes: Personal Journeys in Sport seeks to communicate the complex subject of overtraining to help athletes, coaches, parents and sport science professionals understand the dangers of overtraining and take steps toward prevention. Using history and research, current experts’ perspectives and athletes’ personal experiences, Overtraining Athletes identifies the forces that push athletes to overtrain by sharing the struggles of those athletes and the sport professionals who seek to help them. The structure of the text allows flexibility to sample chapters from each of its four parts based on interest and level of knowledge about the topic. Each of the four parts of the text displays a distinct method for understanding the effects of overtraining: A review of current research and risk factors that increase the probability of overtraining Perspectives from coaches and sport scientists that will help readers recognise the characteristics and behaviours of susceptible athletes The real world experiences of athletes with a history of overtraining presented through three aggregate case studies A comprehensive model of overtraining risks and outcomes to help identify athletes who might be at risk as well as enviroments and cultures that increase vulnerability to overtraining  Overtraining Athletes uncovers both the personal and interpersonal struggles encountered by athletes who overtrain. Its qualitative focus, current research and future directions encourage you to learn about the topic and take action in the treatment and prevention of overtraining. PRICE: £21.50 (32.25 Euros) Read more about the book

Pollock’s Textbook of Cardiovascular Disease and Rehabilitation

Pollock’s Textbook of Cardiovascular Disease and Rehabilitation honors the legacy of the late Michael L. Pollock, PhD (1936-1998). Pollock, an innovative and influential cardiac researcher and clinician, was highly regarded for his substantial educational and scientific contributions to the field of exercise science and sports medicine. This text presents an approach to cardiovascular disease rehabilitation as comprehensive as the vision that Dr. Pollock so passionately pursued during his 35-year career. Pollock’s Textbook of Cardiovascular Disease and Rehabilitation addresses developing topics encompassing all aspects of the cardiovascular system. This text breaks away from Medicare-driven reimbursement paradigms for “cardiac rehabilitation” to discuss the entire cardiovascular system, not only coronary heart disease. In doing so, it provides a much-needed perspective for health professionals and their patients, especially those patients who need help but do not fit traditional entry criteria for cardiac rehabilitation. The text’s editors, each a premier cardiovascular science expert, have selected an internationally recognised list of contributors to provide the deliberate and systematic coverage of cardiovascular topics in five comprehensive parts. They begin by laying a foundation that covers the historical and epidemiologic overview of the evolution and current state of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This consists of a discussion of the use of exercise as medicine as well as a description of interventions, clinical guidelines, and outcomes. PRICE: £52.00 (70.20 Euros) Read more about the book

Hannah’s lucky numbers and the appliance of science

Hannah Miley will next month visit a country where the number eight is considered lucky – hoping, on her Olympic debut, that a scientific approach can work in tandem with the superstitions of the Chinese. The Inverurie swimmer will celebrate her 19th birthday on the day of the opening ceremony in Beijing – on August 8. The festivities will get under way in the Chinese capital at 8.08pm on the eighth day of the eight month of the eighth year of the millennium. In China, the number is linked with sudden fortune and prosperity, but it is the intensive use of sports science to hone her natural ability which Miley hopes will pay dividends. Every minute detail of her performance has been meticulously dissected to ensure it will be at optimum level and that nothing will be left to chance… The Press and Journal, 23 July 2008 Read the whole article

How will they stand the heat?

Sports scientists have been hard at work preparing British athletes to compete in the smog, blistering heat and cloying humidity of Beijing. When the cream of British sporting talent arrives in China’s capital for the Olympics, fellow competitors are not the only thing they will need to beat in their quest to win medals. A sprawling industrial metropolis, Beijing presents the toughest environmental adversaries in the form of heat, humidity and pollution. Aware that winning margins are slender (five of the British team’s gold medals in the 2004 Olympics were won by a total of 0.545 seconds), British sports scientists have left no stone unturned in making sure our athletes are well prepared. Here are just some of the innovations lined up to help them… Heat-chamber training Heat pills Pre-cooling suits Anti-smog masks Advanced isotonic drinks Compression technology outfits   The Guardian, 22 July 2008 The only book of its kind in print, Performing in Extreme Environments is a unique and valuable reference on how to counteract the perils of exercise in hostile conditions. Learn more here Read the whole article

The Olympics: Politics and Protest

With the international sporting festival that is the Olympics taking place in Beijing this summer, Leeds Met is looking at some of the more serious political debates that have surrounded the Olympics in years gone by. ‘The Olympics: Politics and Protest’, a conference organised by Dr Steven Wagg and Professor Tony Collins, looks to discuss issues such as race and political influences that have affected the Olympics in the past. On the evening of the 16th of July there was a round table discussion chaired by Professor Franco Bianchini, which was followed by two days of lectures and discussion and which saw contributions from among others Keynote Speaker Professor John Horne (University of Central Lancashire). The round table discussion was streamed live across the web and the recording can be accessed by clicking here Read the whole article

BHFNC 8th Annual Conference

This year’s BHFNC annual conference will take place on the 19th of November in Nottingham’s East Midland’s Conference Centre. The principal aim of the event is to provide practicle examples, solutions and guidance on how to engage inactive communities in physical activity. Find out more

Erythropoietin (EPO) explained

BBC Sport Online examines EPO, or erythropoietin, the latest performance-enhancing drug to hit athletics. What is it? Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone naturally produced by the kidneys. However, this hormone can be artificially produced to improve the performance of, for example, athletes or cyclists by injection. Why would athletes do this? Its overall effect is to increase endurance and, in athletics, it is used mainly by long distance-runners. It is injected under the skin and stimulates red blood cell production. The more red cells there are in your body, the more oxygen that can be delivered to the muscles. This delays the onset of fatigue, meaning an athlete can run harder and for longer. How effective is this drug? Tests in Australia have shown that improvements in an athlete’s performance over four weeks would match those expected over several years… BBC News, Jan 28 2006 Read the whole article

Speedo’s suit divides swimming world

A revolutionary bodysuit has divided the world of swimming into the haves and the have nots just weeks before the Beijing Olympics, testing relationships between federations, athletes and rival suppliers. Australian and U.S. swimmers and others wearing the Speedo LZR Racer suit have set 38 world records since its introduction in February. Australian Libby Lenton said it made her feel she was swimming downhill. As the buzz has grown — an LZR is even on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in an exhibit on superheroes — swimmers using other equipment are weighing the merits of breaking existing contracts and switching to Speedo. And rival manufacturers are rushing to upgrade their bodysuits to a level that will satisfy swimmers and federations desperate to win medals in Beijing in August… Reuters.com, June 23 2008 Read the whole article

Academic News inspection copy requests

If you wish to arrange an appointment to discuss our latest texts and your course needs, or you would like to enquire about an inspection copy of any book featured in Academic News, please call Sian Partridge on 0113 255 5665 ext. 204 or e-mail sianp@hkeurope.com

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FitNews July 08

Welcome to the July issue of FitNews.

Nourishment comes in all shapes and sizes; here at Humankinetics we bring you the freshest food for thought. Our specialities this month include trans fats and the latest ’superfood’ poised to sweep the nation. Plus why ‘five-a-day’ is off the menu. Enjoy.

In FitNews this month… 

Help children bounce their way to fun and fitness

Paddle your way through the great outdoors

Human Kinetics 2008 Fitness catalogue

Governor urged to terminate ‘dangerous’ fatty food

Fruit with six times the vitamin C of an orange heading for UK supermarkets

5-A-Day fruit bid falls flat

How to think yourself better

Help children bounce their way to fun and fitness

The benefits of using stability balls are well documented. They are particularly useful for exercising the core abdominal and back muscles and for helping balance. Stability balls have been widely used in physical therapy and adult fitness, but few realise that they are also a great resource for those who work with children.In Having a Ball: Stability Ball Games author John Byl explains how to get kids bouncing, laughing, moving and having great fun – all as they improve their fitness skills. Having a Ball features:  73 stability ball games, with variations, that teach balance and co-ordination; A great variety of challenges, races, relays and team games for all participants; A game finder that helps you quickly find the right activity for your group; and Games that work for youths in fitness centres and schools.   The book incorporates several different games into its seven chapters. There are games for partners, individuals or groups, including chase games, games for larger groups and activities that pit two teams against each other. Whether you’re using these games in a fitness centre, youth club or school, you can be sure everyone involved will be having a ball! PRICE: £11.00 (14.85 Euros) Read more about the book…

Paddle your way through the great outdoors

It is not hard to see why canoeing is one of the fastest- growing outdoor activities. The popular recreational sport leads you on water trails to explore new places and experience exciting adventures, allowing you to socialise with friends and family, whilst enjoying numerous fitness benefits and relaxing in the great outdoors. Learning to canoe could not be easier with Canoeing, the special book and DVD package part of the Outdoor Adventures series. Canoeing not only provides you with the basic skills and knowledge you need to safely head out for adventures on a variety of water trails but also presents a strong foundational understanding of this recreational activity. Canoeing is written in association with the American Canoe Association (ACA), and expert instructors provide you with: Indispensable advice on gear and equipment selection, food and nutrition, fitness, water trail etiquette and safety and survival skills; Step-by-step instruction of fundamental paddling skills and techniques; Informative consumer, technique and safety tips; and Web-based resources to help you plan trips throughout the world. The additional Quickstart Your Canoe DVD guides you through an introduction to paddle sports and basic safety and paddling techniques, so you can enjoy a safe boating experience. Use Canoeing to get all the insider tips you will need to enjoy canoeing and have a successful adventure, while developing your skills to challenge yourself for more exciting adventures in the future. PRICE: £13.00 (20.99 Euros) Read more about the book…

 

Human Kinetics 2008 Fitness catalogue

New and available direct to you, this year’s Human Kinetics fitness catalogue has all the most up- to-date information about all our products. Easily downloadable in PDF format and absoluteely free, it’s your essential guide to a world of fitness. Download your free catalogue

 

Governor urged to terminate ‘dangerous’ fatty food

First cigarettes, now flaky pastry: Arnold Schwarzenegger is being asked to train his sights on another health hazard by outlawing the use of trans fats from all restaurants in California. There is rising concern that trans fats – a key ingredient in food such as margarine, biscuits, crisps and other snacks – poses a public health crisis on the scale of smoking. Although there is a general scientific consensus that trans fats clogs arteries, other less conclusive studies have claimed links between the ingredient and cancer, diabetes, obesity, liver dysfunction and infertility. If the California Governor signs off a law to ban trans fats, it could result in the ingredient disappearing from all American food… The Times, July 16th 2008 Arnold Schwazenegger provides the foreward for ACSM Fitness Book-3rd Edition, our bestselling comprehensive plan for developing a personal fitness program and sticking with it. Find out more here Read the full article

 

Fruit with six times the vitamin C of an orange heading for UK supermarkets

It is one of the strangest fruits under the sun and has been revered in Africa for thousands of years. The fruit, which from the outside looks like a coconut, contains six times more vitamin C than oranges and twice as much calcium as milk. In its native Africa, it has provided health benefits for generations. The pulp, which is white, powdery and has a cheese- like texture, is extremely nutritious and high in anti- oxidants, iron and potassium. The baobab (or upside-down tree, as it is also known) is cherished by locals who believe that its spirit protects villages. Only specially trained climbers are allowed to scale the branches to retrieve the fruit. Once the hard outer shell has been broken the flesh can be eaten straight away, although it has a slightly sour flavour… Daily Mail, July 15th 2008 Read the whole story

 

5-A-Day fruit bid falls flat

Just one in eight people is eating the recommended five portions of fruit and veg each day. Despite growing awareness of the Government’s recommendations for a healthy diet, the message is still not getting across. A report, from a study commissioned by the Fresh Produce Consortium in 2006, said most people eat just half the amount of fruit and vegetables they should. Only 12 per cent eat five-a-day. Although this is a slight increase on the previous year’s 11.3 percent, most people eat just 2.5 portions on average. In 2005, most people were eating just 2.4 portions. The consortium warns that at this rate it could take another 25 years before everybody reaches the five-a- day target… Daily Express, July 14th 2008 Read the whole story

 

How to think yourself better

Positive thinking can help ease pain, improve fitness and prevent illness. Anastasia Stephens explains how to harness the power of your mind ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE A new Australian study suggests that the faster speed that athletes achieve when taking performance- enhancing drugs is all in the mind. The study compared athletes on growth hormones with those given a placebo. Those taking the dummy pills sprinted faster, jumped higher and were able to lift heavier weights than those taking the hormones. The results imply that if you think you will perform better, you really will. That’s not news to many professional athletes who for years have used creative visualisation to boost performance. “If you visualise being stronger, running faster or winning, you are priming your nervous system to do just that,” says Dr Aimee Kimball, the director of mental training in sports medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. “Studies have found that the method can enhance physical performance significantly, sometimes by 20 per cent or more.” What to do: Visualise your forthcoming race or match. See yourself win with ease, confidence and coordination, in as much detail as possible. Feel the appropriate emotions as you play and win, and get a sense that you really “know” you can do it… The Independent, July 8th 2008 Human Kinetics has a wide range of titles on the fascinating subject of sports psychology. One of our most most popular titles can be found here Read the whole story

 

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UKPE Newsletter July 08

Welcome to the July issue of the UKPE newsletter!

It’s been a scorching summer of sport so far and it’s not over yet…

Before the UKPE newsletter takes a well deserved holiday in August (Just like our teachers!) we’ve got one last offering of news from around the world of PE. We hope you enjoy it.

In the UKPE Newsletter this month…
	Product of the month… Move on up with Aerial Dancing Countdown to UK School Games Why little learners mean big business EU schools urged to stop offering snacks Sport IQ Magazine UKPE reader offer

Product of the month…

This year the inspirational Junior Wimbledon Champion, Laura Robson showed us just what Britain’s youth tennis players are capable of. The right coaching could help your students to follow in her world-beating footsteps.Revised and better than ever, this fourth edition of Coaching Youth Tennis gives you all the baseline information you need on coaching, communication and safety.It’s the ideal resource for inexperienced coaches and parents of youth tennis players alike. With it you’ll be able to create practice plans for teaching sport- specific techniques such as racket, ball-handling and stroke skills. Learn how to coach matches and develop seasons. Implement step-by-step instructions for all technical and tactical aspects of singles and doubles tennis. Before you know it, you’ll be coaching youth tennis like a pro! PRICE: £22.99 ( 34.49 Euros) Read more about the book!

Move on up with Aerial Dancing

Aerial Dance is a legitimate art form gaining rapid popularity. This fascinating book traces the historical roots of the genre and defines its place in the lineage of modern dance. Written by those who helped shape the medium into what it is today, Aerial Dance addresses aesthetic and philosophical approaches to teaching, with an emphasis on safety. Through this book and DVD package, novices, professionals, practitioners and educators, will:   Gain insight from essays written by leading choreographers in the field; Gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for aerial dance choreography through “Look Up!” features that provide cross-references to video performance clips on the DVD; and View high-quality photographs that illustrate the origins of aerial dance. Readers will find great insight and direction from seasoned experts in this innovative dance form. Aerial Dance captures the passion of the genre and helps readers appreciate the creative possibilities it offers.PRICE: £9.99 ( 14.99 Euros) Read more about the book!

Countdown to UK School Games

Taking it’s lead from the Olympics, the UK School Games seeks to create an inspirational and motivational setting which encourages more young people to take part and succeed in sport. Now in it’s third year, the competition organised with the Youth Sport Trust (YST) will take place in Bristol and Bath, running from 28th to the 31st of August 2008.Human Kinetics has always tried to work closely with the Youth Sports Trust and is honoured to be invited to join their business honours club.‘These are exciting times for us; we’ve got lots of great new ideas and products in the pipeline. Working with the YST will help us to reach out to those who can benefit the most from our experience.’ Sara Cooper Managing Director of Human Kinetics Europe UK School Games official website

Why little learners mean big business

Being successful on the sports field could get you to the top of the corporate ladder, a fascinating new survey revealed last week. When 100 major decision makers in UK business were asked about their academic and sporting achievements, many believed their boardroom skills were honed on the playing field rather than in the classroom. 71 percent said they believed compulsory sports influenced their business careers, with 59 per cent saying their academic career was only moderately successful and 12 per cent believing it to be a relative failure. The research results found that the majority of decision makers excelled highly at team sports, particularly football and rugby, which enabled them to develop the leadership skills, essential for running a company. Dr David Lewis, eminent business psychologist and designer of the research said: ‘Chief executives are team players. They seek to achieve their ambitions by leading others rather than through their individual efforts. These strategies for achievement were acquired and polished while still at school.’ The survey appeared in the FT last week and was also picked up by the Scotsman as well as specialist publications like Management Today and the Institute of Directors magazine. iomtoday.co.im, 03 July 2008. You can help give your students a bright future by investing in Successful Coaching. It’s about coaching young people to become successful athletes-and successful human beings. Read more about the book! Read the full article

EU schools urged to stop offering snacks

The widespread availability of convenience and processed foods containing high levels of fat, sugar and salt, has been partially blamed for increasing levels of obesity by officials In Brussels this week. Up to 27 percent of men and 38 percent of women in Europe are now considered obese. To combat a similarly alarming trend of obesity in children the EU has proposed a radical new scheme to finance handouts of fruit and vegetables across Europe’s schools. In a blueprint due to be published this week, EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel would earmark 90 million euros (71.2 million pounds) a year in funding for the EU-wide scheme. Each country would match the amount of cash it gets from Brussels, although economically poorer regions would be given special status with 75 percent of the cost paid by EU money. If EU agriculture ministers agree, Fischer Boel’s funding scheme would enter into effect in the 2009/2010 school year. Such a scheme could eventually see savoury and sugary snacks from vending machines being replaced by fresh fruit and vegetables in schools. The recommendations do not form part of the Commission’s formal plan to create a school fruit scheme but should ‘be taken into account’ by ministers during their negotiations. The Mirror, 12th june 2008 Read the whole story

Sport IQ Magazine UKPE reader offer

Sport IQ Magazines - train your body, exercise your mind Fantastic resources for GCSE, BTEC and A Level PE. Regular articles by Kirk Bizley, John Honeybourne and Mike Hill as well as interviews with famous sports personalities ensure this a teaching resource that never becomes dated. Special offer for UKPE readers ends July 15th 2008. Click here for more details

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