Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Volleyball - Hope (Helping People Everywhere) Volleyball Tournament at Centre Island


There’s nothing like the recent wonderful warm weather to rev Toronto-area volleyball players into high-gear for the 2012 volleyball season. Die-hard volleyball players can already be seen serving, bumping and spiking at popular area beaches like Kew Beach.
Volleyball is one of Canada’s most popular sports. Over 800,000 Canadians of all ages play volleyball regularly. Toronto boasts one of the words largest volleyball communities. Volleyball is an affordable way to participate in a team sport and get some exercise regardless of skill level.
H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Everywhere) Toronto Inc. raises funds to support charities that don’t already benefit from significant public funding.

This year H.O.P.E will be hosting their 24th annual Volleyball Tournament. Teams are formed throughout the GTA - many of them annually - and the event offers a lot of fun, exercise and a great sense of community.  In addition, the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament takes place on Toronto’s Centre Island.  Even getting there by ferry is fun and you can conveniently do so at Toronto’s Harbourfront. You don’t have to be an expert to play or enjoy the day, as the event welcomes people of all ages and skill levels. Registration is easy and convenient on the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament website.

Like any sport, merely jumping in cold can pose regrettable risks to the body.  Conditioning and preparation can ensure an injury free and fully enjoyable experience.  To improve your endurance and beef-up your physical condition, consider aerobic exercises which will increase endurance, alertness and improve muscle strength by tournament time.  Muscle flexibility is vital for volleyball so warming up and stretching are both essential. Muscle flexibility will also help you increase your anaerobic speed and execution of play on the volleyball court (or beach).

Because of the sudden movements associated with the sport, many volleyball players experience sports injuries at some point. Volleyball involves jumping, lunging and sliding, although fun, can be the perfect recipe for an injury to occur.  Common volleyball injuries include hand injuries, tendonitis in the knee and ankle sprains. Wearing guards and knee pads in addition to conditioning and stretching are part of regular volleyball philosophy.  If you are injured, however, don’t panic. While painful and inconvenient, all of these injuries can be treated through physical therapy and rehabilitation.

A qualified sports therapy clinic can help you develop a plan to recover from your injury, often in a much shorter time than merely waiting for the injury to heal itself – which it may not. Sports therapy clinics offer multidisciplinary teams of professionals whose sole focus is to treat sports injuries.  This specialized treatment is your best chance at a speedy recovery.

The benefits of volleyball far outweigh the risks, and the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament on Centre Island provides you and your team with a full day of fun in the sun.  The very BEST payback of this fantastic day is seeing how the collective efforts of participants raise impressive amounts of money for a very worthy cause.  It’s truly a win-win kind of day.

If you are a volleyball player who has suffered a sports injury and would also like information about safely conditioning for volleyball or an event like the H.O.P.E Volleyball Tournament on Centre Island, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival – How You Can Enjoy Toronto Rib Fest


One of Toronto’s most popular summer events is the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival. An annual tradition where families can enjoy a wide range of ribs, other amazing food and music, The Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival raises awareness of food nutrition while supporting efforts to eradicate child hunger. The event is free, but participants are encouraged to make a $2 donation to the cause. This year’s Toronto Rib Fest will take place from Friday June 29th 2012 – Sunday July 2, 2012 at Centennial Park in Mississauga. There is no doubt that the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Musical Festival will continue being a crowd pleaser
While at the event, food vendors may tempt you to indulge in all the delicious food at your fingertips (and how difficult to resist, it all smells and looks wonderful!!) But it is important to be mindful of your food choices. Too much fun this summer could cause heartache on the scales soon after, and we all know how much easier it is to pack pounds on than to shed them.
According to Statistics Canada, more than 50% of Canadians are either overweight or obese. You don’t have to be considered “obese” for extra weight to pose a hazard to your physical health. Believe it or not, many of the illnesses and conditions that we experience as we age are the result of carrying too much weight, the extra-stress for which places stress on bones and joints, leading to arthritis and a host of other issues.

The key to taking in the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Musical Festival without overdoing it is a tried and true dose of good old moderation. Tempting as it is, you don’t have to pack your belly full of all the tasty delights available. Don’t stuff your stomach to the point where you can feel it. Over eating stretches your stomach and leads to a greater appetite the rest of the time. Try sampling small amounts of different foods and avoid foods that are high in sodium (salt) and fat. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When approaching a vendor, ask them what the healthier options on their menu are. Where drinks are concerned, beer is empty calories. I know, I know, “Rib Fest without beer?!” But if you’re trying to not overdo it, then, again, moderation is key. A beer or two balanced with a bottle of water in between would do wonders to help you still feel satisfied and part of the fun.
Exercise – even the simple task of walking - is another excellent way to offset the calories that easily build at the festival. Walk around as much as possible at the event. Then when you get home consider taking a night-time stroll around the neighbourhood.

Some more healthy eating tips when attending an event like this include:
• Eat everything slowly and SAVOUR the flavour. This will help satisfy your cravings and reduce the urge for seconds.

• Scan the options of all foods available before you dive in and start packing up your plate. Identify the healthiest options, choose your MUST-HAVES and set portion limits.
• Use small plates as well as utensils to limit the amount of food you can fit on your plate and into your mouth!

• Fill half your plate with vegetables for a satisfying feeling with a lower calorie-count.  This will also help prevent the temptation for gorging on calorie-dense options later.
• Wait out your cravings! It takes 20 minutes for your brain to register that you have eaten. If you are tempted for seconds, distract yourself for at least 20 minutes by sipping on water, decaf tea or coffee - or going for a walk with a friend.

We hope that you have a great time at the Toronto Rib Fest Food and Music Festival and that following these tips encourages you to enjoy it while not compromising your current and future health goals.
Athletic Edge Sports Medicine offers a fantastic program that helps people improve health, lose weight and get in shape. LIVE LEAN includes education on nutrition, fitness training, behaviour modification techniques, professional and group support, and a personalized weight loss plan. Many health benefit plans offer coverage for Registered Dietician services and which LIVE LEAN is part of.  For more information about LIVE LEAN or the programs offered by Athletic Edge Sports Medicine please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca

Wednesday, 13 June 2012

Swing of Hope Charity Tournament for Diabetes; Golf Tips for Golfers Who Want to be Physically Prepared


Fore! Golf season is in full swing! Torontonian’s are always keen to find the time to sneak a round in, even if it means vanishing from work on a beautiful day. This summer, events throughout the city appeal to golf lovers who also enjoy helping the community at the same time.
The Diabetes Hope Foundation is making a major difference for children in Ontario who suffer with diabetes. The Diabetes Hope Foundation raises much needed support for youth and their families coping with the financial and emotional burden of living with diabetes.
The Swing of Hope is an annual event in Toronto hosted by The Diabetes Hope Foundation.    This year will mark the 16th Swing of Hope Charity Golf Tournament, taking place on June 18th, 2012 at the Bayview Golf and Country Club in Thornhill. The Swing for Hope Charity Golf Tournament offers a full 18-hole round, complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner, a gift bag and eligibility to win great prizes while raising money and awareness. Pre-registration for the Swing of Hope Charity Golf Tournament is a must and is easily done on The Diabetes Hope Foundation website.
Though players often have a knack for making golf look effortless, it’s actually quite a physical sport. The following golf tips will help better prepare you for your regular game or even The Swing of Hope Charity Golf Tournament.

Golf Tips for Golfers:
• Golf Tip#1 – Walking is an excellent form of cardio that can be achieved simply by taking a long walk around the neighborhood after work or on the weekends. This can be done socially as well and allow you to catch up with family members or friends while you both enjoy the outdoors. Incorporating regular walks into your daily routine will increase your golf-course stamina.

• Golf Tip#2 – Prior to the game perform some dynamic stretches that work your gluts, hip flexors and lower back. These will loosen your muscles, make you more nimble on the course, and decrease post-game soreness and stiffness.

• Golf Tip#3 – Pay attention to your footwear. Proper is always superior to aesthetic. Luckily, these days, many golf shoes combine both. Investing in and wearing golf shoes on the course is highly recommended as they tend to increase your comfort and help your game. Some courses have a policy that golf shoes are mandatory. Do be sure to wear a pair that is broken in on event day to ensure greater comfort.
• Golf Tip#4 – Proper hydration and nutrition are also very important. Make sure that you bring lots of water with you out on the course, and be mindful of the dehydrating effects of the alcoholic beverages purchased from mobile drink carts many courses send out to greet players mid-round.

• Golf Tip#5 – Stretching after the game is as important as stretching before the game. Make sure to take a moment and stretch after you are finished playing.
These golf tips for golfers serious about reducing the risk of injury will enhance the golf experience. 

Like any sport, golfer are athletes who can experience injury, sometimes experiencing symptoms in the moment or other times not for a few days afterwards.  If you feel you may have injured yourself while golfing, consult a sports therapy clinic in the interest of seeking your fastest way back to recovery.  For more information about how you can overcome a sports injury that resulted from golfing please call Althetic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca



Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Do You Have a Passion for Climbing? Then the Make a Wish, Rope for Hope is the Event for You!


The Toronto area comes alive with a myriad of exciting athletic events during spring and summer.  As part of our commitment to raising awareness of several of these, let’s discuss one that has become a traditional and popular favourite: The Make a Wish Foundation. 
The Make a Wish Foundation Canada has worked tirelessly for more than thirty years to grant the wishes of children who have life-threatening medical conditions. Their work brings strength, hope and joy to the children who need it most. In the past 30 years, more than 280,000 children around the world have watched their dreams come true, thanks to The Make a Wish Foundation.
This coming June, The Make a Wish Foundation is hosting its first ever Make a Wish “Rope for Hope”. The Rope for Hope event is unique because it challenges participants to raise pledges in exchange for the opportunity to rappel over the edge of the 30-storey Toronto City Hall. The Rope for Hope event is limited to 90 participants who must raise a minimum of $1500 to participate. If you have a passion for climbing then this is the event for you. If you want to take part in the Rope for Hope there are three categories to consider: single participant; team; or as part of the “Toss Your Boss” colleague group.

The Rope for Hope event takes place on June 19th 2012 at Toronto City Hall, but you need to secure your enrolment by both pre-registering on The Make a Wish Website and doing your fundraising ahead of time.

If you have a passion for climbing please remember that while climbing can be a fun, exhilarating experience, it can also result in injury.

Rappelling is not just the process of sliding down the rope, but also incorporates a lot of other climbing skills. You need the ability to create anchors, tie knots, manage the rope, rig the rappel device, use safety back-up systems, and retrieve the rope.

Safe rappelling is totally dependent on your equipment and your skills. If you’re a novice climber then you can be easily lulled into a false sense of security when you rappel.

Climbing and rappelling injuries frequently arise from repetitive stress on the muscles, joints and tendons which leads to tendonitis, strains and sprains. While physical rehabilitation can often treat these injuries, if they’re not fully healed, they may still be serious enough to keep you from climbing during recovery.

Climbing and rappelling can also pose risks of a second and more serious kind of injury: falling.  There are also less serious consequences, such as dislocated shoulders, sprains and strains which can have long lasting effects requiring treatment for full recovery.

Climbing equipment like knee pads, elbow pads and helmets will go a long way to reduce injury in the event that you fall.

If you have a passion for climbing and rappelling, then consider The Make a Wish Foundation Rope for Hope event June 19, 2012. Unlike mountain or cliff climbing and rappelling, this is a supervised event where precautions are taken to ensure participant safety.

Many people enjoy safe, injury-free climbing and rappelling.  But the reality is that no sport is without its own inherent risks to stress, strain or injury.  When injured, professional help can help you recover properly and within a reduced amount of time. If you are a climber who is recovering from a climbing or rappelling injury, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine at 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca.