Novak Returns to the Australian Open - No longer a Villain

 This is a nice NYT article that feels balanced in reporting compared to previous accounts by most sports writers last year.  Many are still glued to their anger at Novak for not submitting.

NYT Article

Giorgi under Suspicion for Fake Vax

 Giorgi

Definition:  Suspicion is suspecting something on little or no evidence.

Cold or warm water during a match?

I've read that cold water stops digestion which probably means it impedes blood flow and circulation, so it's less of a tax on the system to use warm water.

 Still, to say cold water is harmful runs up against nature since had to take water at whatever temp it was available such as in cold mountain streams or in winter from a well.. 

I'm guessing the negative effects are marginal for normal day-to-day consumption.

Novak at Wimbledon - The interview and the outing of the Tennis Media

The article is almost unreadable but it does give insight into the mind of how the tennis intelligentsia views Novak, as quixotic and arrogant to dare decide what is best for his health. The narrative that he violated the rules in Australia runs against the knowledge that others received exemptions according to the same media that claim he had a choice.  

Djokovic’s vaccine stance is nonsensical, but it’s still hard not to empathize

 

The Globe

They just can't leave it alone. He seems ready to move on and just play tennis where he is allowed to play. The USA is one of the last countries with vax mandates for visitors while Britain dropped that requirement.

 

Take Care of your Feet and Toes

 Foot injuries including lost toenails can really hurt your tennis performance.  Here I focus on toenails.

I only lost toenails from a violent activity such as hitting hard objects like steel frames when barefoot or while wearing loose shoes. I also saw answers that made sense to me so here are a few plus my own. 

1 - Keep nails trimmed. 

2 - Buy a fitted shoe. 

3 - Use sock liners or double socks. 

4 - Employ anti-bacterial and fungal treatments at the first sign of trouble along with excellent hygiene meaning fresh socks and regular washing. (I also used tea tree oil around nails at the first sign of irritation to prevent infections). 

5 - Tape ankles, feet, and toes when necessary including (buddy taping for injured toes.) 

6 - Allow recovery from injuries.

Novak Djokovic Stands on Principle - No Vax

 "a deeply committed libertarian who believes strongly in individual autonomy."  

Novak decides against Vaccine

Those who call him names and judge him should question their own motives. If you believe the vax works, then his status shouldn't bother you. This all seems political, and he should have a right to choose. I respect his stand on principle, and the discipline he follows to achieve his goals. His playing record justifies his approach.

 Standing on Principle

Mac talks of Gloating from Aussies against Novak

Feeling envy and bitterness toward anyone whose presence reminds you that you aren't free is probably the outcome of being a captive in your own country for two years. It's not a good look for the AO or Australia. Many others in tennis have shown the same response and I wonder if it's for similar reasons.

 Tennis Legend accuses fans of Gloating over Djokovic Treatment

Djokovic case exposes the lie of Australia and Personal Health Rights

 Personal Health Rights - Health Freedom Movement

Chardy Out this Season - How could this happen?

 Chardy has health problems now.

Cardio Risk for Tennis Players and Coaches

Poor Arthur Ashe comes to mind. and is a perfect example. I think that he mentioned that he never contemplated a cardio risk prior to his heart attack since he was in such great shape and an athlete. He thought his diet didn't matter. That was the state of knowledge at the time so it was understandable. I've known some tough, well-conditioned, but aging players that had cardiac events. I've had a few scares myself and keep track of it. I know other pros that have never seen a doctor. Bless them. We're all one cardiac event away from retirement, disability, or a quick exit.

Arthur Ashe Heart Attack

Right amount of sleep good for heart health

 6-7 Hours

Surprise, Surprise.  Most of us know that too much or too little is bad for you in many ways.   One trick is to stop drinking coffee or tea in the evening to help you get better quality sleep.   

Going Shirtless on the Tennis Court

Should you go shirtless out there on the court?  Here are a couple of things to consider.

 1.    I never allowed students or team players to practice this way for general decorum and it helped set the tone. 

2.    Another argument against it might include health since the days of getting a tan are over if you consider skin cancer risk, and suggest against it for that reason. After decades outside teaching, most tennis pros will get skin cancer so there is also a practical reason to limit your total exposure and I explain this to students as well. 

3.     I recommend sun protection including hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen since tennis players often get excessive sun exposure. Sunscreen and hats are cheap when you compare those to surgery to remove skin cancer not to mention the pain involved. 

4.     Private clubs have a right to set rules, but if you go out on a public court and decide to play that way I see it as a matter of choice.

Arthritis

 Arthritis Myths  and facts

Building Muscle - How long does it take

 It takes time and much more than most people are willing to wait for results.

 How long Does it Take

My Perspective:

The main rules are to be patient and consistent and focus on an area at least at first.

I learned this by gaining more core strength but not actually attaining it through the standard approach.   I was doing curls with my back braced against a wall and sitting on the floor.   This exercise was to strengthen my arms to prevent injury.   As I progressed on this I began to notice that not only were my arm muscles getting larger and stronger but that my stomach muscles had started showing signs of definition that I hadn't seen in decades.   I kept at it and added other items like a medicine ball to work the same magic.   

 Diet

 My own experience with this suggests that the weight lifters and body builders really know the answers when it comes to adding muscle.   I started taking protein supplements in conjunction with weight training and began to see a rapid visual improvement in my tone and muscle size in my arms  and upper body which is where I had focused my effort. 

All of these things are just my own experience so not being an expert on this subject I suggest that you do your own research.   All I've done iis to tell you where you might begin your research.  

 This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice on how to train for strength or muscle enhancement.   Do you own research please.

Coffee Naps for Health and Effectiveness

This is a great concept.  The trick is to time coffee intake just prior to your nap so that by the time it kicks in you're done with your nap.  A 15 minute nap seems to be what they're talking about and I doubt that you could make it an hour unless you're really exhausted to the point where a caffeine hit won't pull you out of slumber.  I'm going to try this myself especially if it's a day where I got no sleep.

Coffee Naps - Interesting Concept

Strength Training For Life and Function

This is a good article on longevity benefits that you can derive from strength training. 


No matter what you do for your exercise it helps to have more strength.  You'll notice that you perform better and that you reduce your injury risk.  Even your balance and agility seem to improve. 
Tennis strokes can benefit from the upper body, core, and leg strength.   Work on all of these to raise your performance.

Pushups: Why, How to do more pushups, benchmarks

 Why - because you don't need equipment and it is a simple but great way to increase your shoulder, chest, and core strength.

How to do More

Benchmarks - I know an 80-year-old man who does twenty pushups per day in addition to planks, situps, and squats.   He is stronger than most men in their 60's.

Start where you have to start even if it's half pushups from your knees and get to where you can do one or more real pushups.  Then work on increasing the number daily until you can do thirty or even twenty and do multiple sets of twenty.  Once you reach twenty you can always finish it with ten more half pushups.

Protein: Plant vs Animal, Muscle Loss

Evidence that plant-based diets  are healthy


Muscle Loss - 4 laws of muscle

Life on Reset thanks to CoronaVirus Pandemic

I did a personal reset a few years ago thanks to a major health challenge. It looks as if many others are bound for the same reality as a result of this life-changing event. Life is tenuous and you really only need enough to live without an endless struggle toward some distant goal, especially financial. Find some happiness in your existence.

Corona Virus Protection Recommendation from Doctors

Coronavirus Protection Advice