The Graston Technique

One of the newest techniques out right now to help heal injuries is called the Graston Technique. This is a soft-tissue manual therapy that helps break up scar tissue around affected area(s). Clinicians and patients see results in Achilles Tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Adhesive Capsulitis, and Plantar Fasciitis to name a few.  Currently, Graston is being used by 18 NFL teams, 16 NBA teams, and 16 MLB teams.



They are a standardized set of six stainless steel instruments. Each is shaped differently and used for a certain body part and is determined by the clinicians need. It helps break up the scar tissue around surgical scars because the scar tissue builds rapidly. In order to keep optimal range of motion, the tissue is broken down using one or more tools. Although the Graston technique is a type of therapy, therapist suggest continuing active range of motion types of exercises to keep the muscles and joints in motion.

 

Mental Training

In spite of some coaches still believing it does not make a difference, sport psychologists have rapidly become prominent in various teams across all sports.

Recently, the South African cricket team hired a sport psychologist to manage their habit of choking in every major tournament for the past decade. On an individual level, there is the example of Alex Rodriguez who was able to not only come out of his bad patch, but also address and work through childhood issues. The improvement in his form was surprisingly immediate. Even in e-sports, which some are yet to acknowledge as a competitive sport, sport psychologists are being implemented.

Having never made it to the finals before, Team Astralis (center) won their first e-sports ESL Major Championship after hiring a sports psychologist (right).

Still, there are some who are averse to sport psychology because of the degrading connotation it carries. In such cases, the simple act of integrating psychologists in teams and labeling sessions as "mental training" can remove the stigma from sport psychology.

Mystery Sports

Mystery Sports

Welcome to Mystery Sports, your gateway to all sports you never knew existed! Here we will be highlighting some of the most fun, or most bizarre unknown sports out there. Let us begin the illumination of Mystery Sports!

-          Balloon Soccer (or Bubble Soccer it is also known as) is a name that immediately sparks wonder:

This sport is not at all that complicated, the only visible difference is that everyone wears a bubble suit that makes contact with other players hilarious. Not only is it fun to watch, but is fun to play as well, and it is completely safe! Like combing Soccer with pillow fights.

More information at: http://bubbleball.us/bubble-soccer/

-          Do you like Chess? Do you like Boxing? How about both in one!? Introducing the sport that is held in interest, Chess Boxing:

This sport plays just like it sounds, combing both games of Chess and Boxing. Fighters who partake in this sport enter alternating rounds of Boxing and Chess. The end of the game occurs when a checkmate is made, and to answer the question before it is asked, a knockout is an instant checkmate. So those who tend to fall under in the Boxing match can still beat his opponent with strategy in Chess.

-          Poohsticks, yes Poohsticks, is just as strange as it sounds. However, it may be strange, but it is a legitimate sport:

Poohsticks, inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh, is a simple sport that is often play on a bridge over a river. Participants then take colored sticks and drop them into the river to see whose stick is faster. Yes, that is how this sport is played, and yes, this is a real sport. Odd, isn’t it? However, regardless of how odd it is, this is one of those sport unheard of by many.

These are just three examples of the many sports out there that are fun, creative, and downright strange, but it goes to show that the sports world is much larger than we previously thought. We hope you enjoyed the revelation of such a topic under the spotlight of Sportslight.

Is Functional Training Strength Training?

Fro decades, strength training has been found hand-in-hand with sports, and for good reason; strong athletes make good athletes. However, there has been a trend of functional training formed due to other professions (Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, etc.) trying to keep their hand in the pie. As a result, coaches have listened to these "higher authority" figures and have lost sight of what raw strength and power can do for an athlete with true potential. After all, strength can only be produced by force, and if the athletes are too busy trying to balance on a ball with one foot while curling a weight with the opposite arm and blowing a kazoo to "initiate the diaphragm," how can you possibly raise their capacity of force production (i.e. Strength)? Therefore, lets keep athletes strong and healthy by using productive squats, dead lifts, and presses while leaving "functional training" to the self proclaimed professionals.

Fun Facts About Houston's Professional Athletes

A comprehensive list of our favorite athletes and little known facts about them.  Enjoy....




J.J. Watt, DE Houston Texans

• Watt started his college career at Central Michigan.

Watt was recruited out of high school as a tight end.  His first year at Central Michigan yielded little production, so he asked Bert Bielema if he could walk on at Wisconsin and the rest is history.

• His favorite sport is hockey.

Go figure, a guy from Wisconsin likes hockey.  Watt actually competed in the sport until age 13 before having to give it up due to financial constraints.

George Springer, OF Houston Astros

• Goooaaaallll!!

Springer played soccer during high school in Connecticut.  This is a background he shares with none other than Astros legend Jeff Bagwell.

• All in the family

Attending UConn runs in the family.  Springer, his father, and his mother, all graduated from UConn.

James Harden, SG Houston Rockets

• Breathe, dawg, breathe!

Asthma.  Harden has battled asthma all his life, which makes his domination on the court that much more awe-inspiring.

• Not the original James Harden.

He is a Junior.  James Harden is actually James Harden, Jr.  He dropped the Jr. from his name due to a complicated relationship with his father.

NBA MVP Race: What You Need to Know About The Top 5

The MVP Race is coming down to the final buzzer with five superstars leading the pack.  In this week's post we evaluate the top five candidates, and see how they stack up against each other.



5.  LeBron James

 

James, a 13-time All-Star and 4-time MVP starts this lineup.  His 2016-17 stat line reads 26.0 PPG, 8.4 TRB, 8.8 AST, and with Cleveland at 47-26, they are in the thick of the race for the 1 seed in the Eastern conference.


4.  Kwahi Leonard



Leonard, the leading scorer for San Antonio at 26.0 PPG has the Spurs in the driver's seat in the Southwest Division.  With a veteran team, and Popovich guiding him, Leonard is a force to be reckoned with.


3.  Russell Westbrook

                                                                                                                                                           
Westbrook has been absolutely astonishing this season with 31.4 PPG, 10.5 TRB, and 10.4 AST (Yikes!)  for those of you that have never seen a triple-double before, watch this guy for a couple of games.  Enough said!


2.  Kevin Durant

 

KD has been KD, which is more than enough for other teams to handle.  His transition to Golden State has been fairly smooth as he is able to share the spotlight with fellow stars Curry and Thompson.  His stat line of 25.3 PPG, 8.2 TRB, 4.8 AST has factored prominently in the Warriors' success as they lead the league with a record of 60-14.



1.  James Harden


 
                     

Harden, the leading scorer for a rejuvenated Rockets team, has torched the league for near triple-double season stats averaging 29.3 PPG, 8.0 TRB , and 11.3 AST.  He is behind only Curry for total 3-pointers made this year.  Critics might point to the Rockets' resurgence due to the arrival of Mike D'Antoni, but Harden was MVP caliber before the arrival of the new coach.  He has always excelled in any offensive scheme and confounded defenders with his multi-faceted talents; and with the Rockets in the hunt for one of the top seeds in the playoffs, fans will have the opportunity to see more of the phenom. 

Historic Super Bowl LI Finish

The New England Patriots are the Superbowl LI Champions.  They overcame a 25 point deficit in the 3rd quarter to send the game into overtime.  The Patriots sealed their fifth Superbowl victory in team history by scoring the first touchdown in overtime, stunning the Falcons 34 to 28.  This was a record-breaking night for the Patriots, as well as quarterback Tom Brady.

Records set by the Patriots and Brady:

• Tom Brady won his 5th Superbowl, the most by any quarterback in NFL history.

• Brady also set a single game Superbowl record with 466 yards passing.

• Brady attempted a record 62 passes.

• Brady also completed a record 43 passes.

• Running back James White set two Superbowl records with 14 pass receptions and 20 points scored. ( 3 touchdowns and 1 2-point conversion)

• The Patriots overcame the largest point deficit in Superbowl history. (25 points)

• This was the first Superbowl in NFL history to go to overtime.

Tom Brady lifts up the Lombardi Trophy for the 5th time in his Super Bowl career