Another Harvest

Another harvest

Today, our member Esther Tan participated in Sports Master Karatedo Open Championships, and won a Gold Medal for herself in Ladies Kata Open Event. We are very proud of her, as she defeated all her opponents with 3 to 0 scores. These are solid victory in her performance.

Her rewards for today is not by chance or luck. She has spent lots of time to train up her physically conditions, as well as to polish up her kata techniques. She is dedicate to her commitment and willing to sacrifice her time for it.

We are very proud of her performance.

Esther performing during her Gold Medal bout.

Fair Play in sports

Yesterday, I communicated with a young friend through MSN, he brought up the issue of 'Fair Play'. As he is an organizer in a sporting event, he is a bit worry about this matter. I told him that he need to talk to all of the officials involve in the event, that they should based on Olympic Spirit and Fair Play principle to carry out their duties, so that the participants won't waste their training efforts and enjoy the game.

By the way, what is fair play?
According to Canadian Centre of Ethic of Sports: The notion of Fair Play is a universally understood concept, which underpins all of sport. Without fairness, sport is devoid of any meaning or purpose. Worse still, it can be a detrimental experience for its participants.

But Fair Play is also a philosophy - one of respect for others, and respect for the institution of sport. It leads to an agreement, between all of those involved in sport, on the values and lessons that we want sport to teach our children, and ourselves.

Playing fair also has to do with making choices. As we interact with each other in sport, or as spectators of sport, we must regularly consider and define what we think is right and what is not. Sport engages us in a collective effort to pursue human excellence. As our children interact with each other in sport, their ability to make good choices about fair play issues matures along with their ability to think and learn about what makes for a rewarding and fulfilling life in society (Extracted from http://www.cces.ca/forms/index.cfm?dsp=template&act=view3&template_id=122&lang=e).

Of course, in my experience, I have heard people who are referees in the games, loudly announced that the greatest and most powerful person in the arena is the officials conducting the games. People with such attitude is merely unqualified to be in the arena, as he has disrespect the hard work and sporting spirit of the athletes. He is abusing his given authority and tarnishing the Sport Spirit of the game.

In the Beijing Olympics, there was an incident that an athlete whacked the referee at the end of his bout, he reason was the referee was unfair!

See, Fair Play really could damage a game, but the cause is not the game, it is the HUMAN!

Instructor or coach

There is a different in between coaching and giving instructions. In my early life of teaching karatedo, I used to be an instructor but not a proper coach.

After attended Singapore Sport Council's NROC courses and my own self development, I understand that we should be a coach rather an instructor.

Coaching, in effect, not only teaching techiques of the martial art; but it should also include areas such as physiological conditions, biomechanics, psychology and nutritions. Of course, safety precautions must be one of the important factor the coaches should have. As trainees could fall sick or uncomfortable situation at times; proper help should be provided at the shortest tme.

As Sport Science already developed in countries such as Australia and New Zealand, lots of scienctific researches were published. Some of the routine warming up exercises, in fact, are not practical and may cost damages to the body. One of the examples, is the stomach exercise (sit up), if it is done with the wrong posture, then in time to come, would cause low back injuries.

As a coach, he must have all rounded basic knowledge and provide a more safe and pleasant tranining experience to the trainees.

This is my two cent worth of opinion, you are entitled to yours.

Reverse cresent kick and roundhouse kick

This is a very difficult kick and its combination on application. To perform this skill, you need to have good flexibility on your knee and hip joint.

Please do not practice it, if you do not have a coach to guide you.

Cardiac arrest

Cardiac arrest, in simple term is heart attack. These days, many athletes or youths suffered cardiac arrest during daily activities or during sporting events. People always feel unbelievable how could a healthy man suddenly dropped dead. Many do not understand that someone muscular does not mean he or she is healthy. Strengthening muscle systems and strengthening heart condition are entirely two different issues. With proper guidance and supervision, progressive aerobic training could improve one's heart condition.

Consuming junk food, alcohol and other toxic substances would impair the ability of the heart function. Stay regular exercise schedule would be a good way to keep your heart strong and healthy.

What if someone from your love ones suddenly gets a cardiac arrest? If immediate help is not given fast, he or she may lost their live while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The follow clip from YouTube may give you some ideas to handle it when the circumstance arises. If you are really interested in CPR and the use of AED, you may sign up the First Aid Course organized by some local agency such as St. John Ambulance Service, Red Cross Society or other established First Aid agencies.

Learn the CPR and AED skill, one day, YOU may need IT!

Deadlift

The deadlift is a weight training exercise used to develop overall strength and power. The exercise is extremely useful, if you do not have good core muscle strength, or leg strength.

The following information is related to this exercise for your information and knowledge. One word of caution, if you have not tried this, you need to start with light weight, it should be more ideal if you could get a physical trainer to coach you!

Muscles Worked
The Deadlift is a compound exercise targeting several muscle groups including the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, erector spinae, gluteals, hamstrings, quadriceps, and psoas (hip flexors). Your forearm muscles, which are involved in gripping the bar, are used to a lesser degree, as well as muscles involved in trunk stabilization such as your obliques.

Benefits
The Deadlift has many benefits. As a compound exercise, the movement spans three joints with extension occurring at the hip, knee, and ankle joints, thus utilizing several large muscle groups.(2) When compared to isolation exercises, compound movements that involve larger muscle groups elicit a hormonal training response that results in greater strength gains.(1) The dynamics of the lift itself may also lead to greater gains in hypertrophy. (1)
The Deadlift also has possible rehabilitation benefits. It has been hypothesized that the moderate to high hamstring activity elicited during the Deadlift may help to protect the Anterior Cruciate Ligament during rehab.(2)
The movement of the Deadlift translates well into real life as it mimics bending and lifting. Anyone who has a toddler is quite familiar with the motion of the lift already.

Points to Remember

• your torso should be straight throughout the movement
• at no portion of the lift should your back be rounded
• keep the bar as close to the shins as possible throughout
• feet should always be flat on the floor, pushing from the heel
• exhale through the sticking point of the concentric movement and inhale through the eccentric phase
• do not jerk the movement, it should be smooth throughout
• if your knees are moving laterally from side to side, reduce the amount of weight
• because of the many muscles involved in the lift, the Deadlift may require more rest between sets than normal

As in all exercises, the Deadlift is not for everyone. If you are working with a client with special needs such as lower lumbar injuries or any other joint injuries, it is important to get there doctor’s or chiropractor’s release before adding this lift to their regime.

The Deadlift itself has many variations. You can use barbells for lighter weights or use a limited range of motion if the situation calls for it. There are also specialized bars that some people find more comfortable such as the Combo Bar or Trap Bar.
Because of the wide range of muscles the Deadlift targets, some people use it as a warm-up lift before their workout. In whatever form you use, the Deadlift should play an important role in your training program.

Extracted from http://www.protraineronline.com/past/nov15/deadlift.cfm

2008 Grading Certificate Presentation 2

KSK held a grading exercise recently, most juniors graded went through the grading without much problems.

The following recipients are part of the participants of the said grading. Today is the day after National Day, there are people who are still in their holiday mood, or they are still on the way back to Singapore, therefore, some members are not available at today's presentation.