Volleyball

by Gabrielle Vanderhoof

Published 1 September 2010
Find out what it takes to make this demanding sport rewarding, enjoyable, and safe for the 800 million people around the world who play it every year. Using simple advice on fitness training, equipment, and recovery techniques, this book will help you to get more out of volleyball by keeping yourself fit and injury-free. Whether you play weekend games with your family on the beach or are part of a top high school team and have hopes of getting a college scholarship, it is important to guard against injuries, which can range from inconvenient to permanently disabling. Find out about the injuries most commonly experienced when playing volleyball, how and why they happen, how you can get back into shape-and most important, how you can avoid them using mental and physical training techniques. This book provides a complete introduction to indoor and beach volleyball, including: * The game's origins. * How training both mind and body can help prevent injuries. * Why warming up and cooling down are so important * What safety equipment is available and who needs it * The importance of good nutrition. * The dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

Track & Field

by Gabrielle Vanderhoof

Published 1 September 2010
Track and field events demand a high degree of strength, stamina, and flexibility. Shot put, hammer throw, long jump, as well as many other track and field events, can put intense strain on certain muscle groups. Injuries can strike suddenly or gradually build up over time. Explore the ways in which athletes must prepare themselves for meets, maintain physical fitness, and prevent injury. The book is also a guide to the physical and mental preparation that athletes must undergo before competing or training, some of the most common injuries sustained during track and field events, and the dangers of using performance-enhancing drugs. You'll find a wealth of practical advice, including: * How to treat sprains and strains. * How to stretch effectively before a race or field event. * Why dietary supplements can be more harmful than helpful. * What foods contain the nutrients athletes need to maintain health.