The sound of the impact when 300 pounds of professional football player, sprinting at top speed, strikes another player moving in the opposite direction at maximum velocity, it something not soon forgotten.  The momentum of each player (speed times mass) is truly shocking.  The league recognizes the potential for devastating and career ending head, neck and brain injuries and is looking into way to modify the game while still keeping its essential features.  Read more at the Washington Examiner.

According to a report in the New York Times, there are more than 500 300-pounders presently.  A 1994 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study found that former offensive and defensive linemen had a 52% higher rate of death from cardiovascular disease than did the general population. Since then, the players at these positions have only gotten bigger, with the average weight in the NFL 252 pounds.  A 2005 University of North Carolina study found that more than a quarter of the NFL’s players fit the category of Class II obesity, which is between moderate and morbidly obese.  A 2006 Scripps Howard newspapers survey of the deaths of 3,850 pro football players over the last century found that the heaviest players were more than twice as likely as lighter players to have died before reaching their 50th birthday.

The cardiologist and co-chairman of the NFL’s sub-committee on cardiovascular health, Professor Robert Vogel of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, noted that “The simple answer is, being physically active is unquestionably a deterrent to the problems associated with weight.  Having said that, are you at higher risk being a 350-pound lineman rather than a 210-pound quarterback ? Yes.”  But is it now necessary to weigh in at over 300 pounds to play professional football ?  Because of what I see with the complications of excess body weight and morbid obesity here at ABRAMS LANDAU after our own car accident or truck crash clients, the answer is obvious, that “super size” makes recovery from injury and disease more difficult.  Plus, superior athletic skills can neutralize extreme size on te gridiron.  Noted Jerry Kramer, the Green Bay Packers All-Pro Guard in the 1960s, “Fat doesn’t make you strong and quick.  It makes you heavy.  Muscle makes you strong. We’ve gotten enamored with the 300-pounder, but give me an offensive guard who’s in great shape at 270 or 275 and understands leverage and positioning, and I’ll bet he’ll whip the fat guy every time.”

Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd., was runner up in his age group at the Reston Town Center New Year's Day 5k road running race

In a new addition to the New Years Day racing lineup in Northern Virginia, our friends at Potomac River Running (“PRR”) have come up with a New Year’s Day 5k in Reston. The 5k started on Market Street at the Reston Town Center at the very civilized hour of 10 a.m.  One of the advantages of this venue is that there is plenty of free parking available in the numerous garages at the Town Center.  The race was computer chip timed, and packet pick up was available at the PRR Reston store.

The certified 5k course started and finished on Market Street at the Town Center.  The course ran through the Town Center streets and out and back on the W&OD asphalt path just a mile East of the Landau Law Shop in Herndon, Virginia !  Because the W&OD Trail was open during the race, runners were urged to be careful and cautious of others using the path.  Mile markers were posted on the course.   There were also the W&OD Trail 1/2 mile markers, for those, like Herndon Reston injury lawyer Landau, who like lots of splits and feedback as to pace.  Plus, instead of “Port-a-Johns,” real (heated !) restrooms were available at the Town Center.  They were located at the information center near the ice skating rink.  Having raced at this year’s inaugural event, copped an Age Group prize (finishing 29th of 420) and enjoyed the course and festivities, this is a 5km that will be on the Triathlon Trial Lawyer’s calendar for next year.  Official results can be viewed by clicking here.

After DUathlon Nationals, TriathlonTrialLawyer Doug Landau went to a spin class and learned of SportFit's FREE triathlon cycling seminar TODAY at Worldgate Sport & Health

As part of the 2010 SportFit TRIATHLON CLINIC SERIES Doug & Beth Baumgarten will once again hold a free clinic at the Worldgate Sport & Health Club in Herndon, Virginia.  If you are a first time (or novice) triathlete or an experienced multisport competitor, SPORTFIT LAB is a source for information on training, equipment, and race preparation.   Educational and bike safety seminars such as produced by the Baumgartens will hopefully increase the skills of participants in local triathlons, duathlons and bike races, and decrease the number of bike crashes, athletic injuries and sports accidents.  The husband and wife team has scheduled concise 90-minute sessions for athletes learn the latest science of triathlon training.

NEXT CLINIC: FRIDAY MAY 7th- 5:30-7:00 P.M. AT SPORTFIT LAB (Worldgate):

“THE BIKE IN TRIATHLON”

For more information, contact: SPORTFIT CONSULTING LLC of Northern Virginia

Email: db@sportfitconsulting.com   Phone: 703-657-7609   Mobile: 301-448-5499   Fax: 888-750-2869

When athletes "taper" for a big race, it means they reduce training volume & intensity so as to be rested, uninjured and ready for triathlon success.

Reston Triathlon Trial Lawyer Doug Landau is often asked, “How are you able to train consistently and push yourself so hard so as to compete in State, Regional and National competitions ?”

The harder task for the sports injury and disability lawyer is “tapering” before a major biking, running and/or swimming race.  “Tapering” means reducing the volume and intensity of training in order to be well rested, fueled and uninjured in order to achieve peak performance.  Often, instead of a workout during this period, Landau will try to nap, stretch, relax, hydrate and get extra sleep at night.  In truth, the staff at ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. will tell you that the boss finds it very hard to do very little in the days leading up to a big race.  But the goal is not to be “overtrained” or fatigued come race day.  Landau hopes to be at the starting line so well rested and ready to go, that he is literally, “jumping out of his speedo !”

Coach Todd Katz of Hammer Down Cross Fit training in Chantilly Virginia putting people through their paces !

Recently my bride and I were invited to try out our friend Todd Katz’s “Hammer down cross fit” training program at his home.  As an athlete who likes interval training sessions and respects the incredible results of English mile champion Sebastian Coe, who mixed calisthenics with explosive movements and continuous movement, I was keen to see what Hammer Down Cross Fit was all about.  Todd had told me that Cross Fit can help with sports injury prevention, posture and core strength – all good things for this triathlon trial lawyer.

En route to a race in Southern Florida, we came across this Cross Fit studio !

Several friends have been training through the winter with Katz, who is an exceptional runner and competes in long distance road races.  First of all, it was cold.  Hard core cold.  Don’t take off your mittens cold, as we lifted dumbbells, did push ups, sit ups and other exercises outdoors on a frigid morning.  There was some running also involved, and the “regulars” seemed to feed off the energy and each other.  Todd recorded repetitions, tines and PRs and most looked like they were having fun.  My wife’s favorite part was the hot coffee afterwards.  I liked snack time.  Todd now has a permanent INDOOR location in Chantilly, and many videos showing you the exercise routines.  So, if you want something different, give Cross Fit a try !  Call Todd and visit his Chantilly fitness studio and see if what Cross Fit training has for you,

Dr. Dowling is shown giving ART treatment to competitor (& Maccabiah Gold Medal Winner after the ITU Dextro Triathlon in Washington, D.C.

“Active Release Technique” or “ART” is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Doug Landau has had ART treatment before and after races and found it to be beneficial, especially with regard to iliotibial band (“IT Band”) pain and hamstring tightness after hard multi sport training.

Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles according to Dr. Steven Dowling of Ashburn Sport & Spine. This Ashburn area health care provider treats spinal pain as well as soft tissue injury. Dr. Dowell is a certified ART (Active Release Techniques) provider as well as a specialist in sports related injuries. He combines the latest techniques until he finds the right combination that works for you. This includes spinal and extremity adjustments, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat, ice, myofascial release, ART, stretching, rehab, and Kinesio Tape. Dr. Steven Dowling is also a member of the NSCA, whose publications Loudoun lawyer Landau has been reading for years.

OPEN WATER SWIMMING AT MILLBROOK QUARRY

Beginning Sunday May 17, 2009, 2:30-4:30PM

Supervised open water swim opportunity for Northern Virginia Triathletes and long distance swimmers. Learn techniques to help you in open water triathlons and swimming races. These sessions can really give you a “leg up” on your competition and help you feel more “at home” in the lake, river, pond and ocean swims that host multi-sport events. Better to learn in a legal setting than have to learn to do the “perp walk” later ! (See post on “Illegal swimming can land you in hot water”

Measured and marked swim course with buoys. Wetsuits and visible swim caps required. $25 per session.

Planned swim dates: May 17, 31; June 14, 28; July 12, 19; (later dates TBD)

Contact the Coaches at Rehab to Racing at openwaterswim@rehabtoracing.com and information at Tickets and information available at R2R

Of the 14 deaths identified, 13 occurred during swimming; the other was a bike crash. Autopsies on six of the victims showed that four had underlying heart problems. Two others had normal-looking hearts, but they may have suffered a fatal heart rhythm problem, Harris said. A search of the Minneapolis registry and the Internet found four other triathlon-related deaths from 2006 through 2008 beyond those that occurred in the officially sanctioned events. “While not a large risk, this is not an inconsequential number,” Harris said. Herndon Reston sports injury lawyer Doug Landau recommends reading tomorrow’s post, with doctors’ recommendations for preparing and safety.

Dr. Kevin Harris, a cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital led the study and presented results Saturday at an American College of Cardiology conference in Florida. The Minneapolis institute’s foundation sponsored the work and tracks athlete-related sudden deaths in a national registry. The risk is mostly from heart problems during the swimming part of the triathlon. For the study, researchers used records on 922,810 triathletes competing in 2,846 USA Triathlon-sanctioned events between January 2006 and September 2008.

And while that risk is low – about 15 out of a million participants – it’s not inconsequential, the study’s author says. “They might prepare for a triathlon by swimming laps in their pool. That’s a lot different than swimming in a lake or a river.” Doug Landau agrees, and recommends that athletes new to triathlon spend time and practice open water swimming. Also, the Herndon Reston sports injury lawyer suggests starting with short events before jumping into an Olympic, Half or Full Iron Man distance triathlon. Open water swimming, presents unique challenges to even seasoned pool swimmers and endurance sport athletes. Landau recommends finding open water swim clinics, LEGAL lake swim practice sessions with an experienced coach, kayak, etc., and acclimating to wearing a wetsuit, pacing and navigating (“sighting”) without lane lines.