Adaptive Rock Climbing: Benefits of Reaching for the Top

When it comes to thinking of fun activities for both children and adults, what considerations are necessary to get everyone engaged? Is the game fun? Challenging? Worthwhile? Competitive? Will it hold their attention long enough to get everyone involved?

 

One activity that can keep the attention of any age is indoor rock climbing. Rock climbing is a perfect activity for anyone to engage in and can be adapted and modified for someone with a disability, whether it is physical, intellectual, or even vision or hearing impaired. There are many benefits for any climber, skilled or unskilled. Three main types of benefits are apparent when considering how beneficial something is: affective, cognitive, and psychomotor. An affective benefit would be how it made the person feel while engaging in rock climbing. Some of these benefits would include a sense of accomplishment, more motivated, pride, some frustration, feeling challenged, having fun, having their social aspect enhanced, and reaching goals that he or she may have set for themselves.

Another benefit is cognitive, which is the benefits gained from using your brain and thinking. These benefits could be deciding how to get to top, deciding and contemplating the placement of each hand or foot, problem solving, setting goals for themselves, spatial awareness, and trusting another person’s tips on which step to take next. The last benefit discussed is the psychomotor benefit, which can be defined as how the body benefits from the action. Some of these benefits would be using every muscle in their body to pull themselves upward, pushing up and off with legs, pulling upward with arms, finger dexterity and grip strength, using hand-eye coordination, using and finding balance with each new move upward, using neck, trunk, and back muscles to look around, up and down at surroundings, using a bilateral movement, as well as increased blood flow and muscular endurance.

 

It is very important that people do not leave any individual out of an activity just because they need a specific adaptation. Whether it is out of fear of the unknown or not educated enough to adapt, it is never acceptable to sit someone to the side because they have a disability. Indoor or outdoor rock climbing is a great activity for anyone with a disability because there are many different ways to adapt for any type of issue that comes about. Rock climbing gives a climber an endless amount of challenges; one can call it, solving one problem after another until a destination is reached. Anyone that might deal with a special needs client or student needs to educate themselves more on what specific things are necessary to adapt. No child or adult should be left out because they cannot do something, when in actuality, they can, just an adaptation is needed.

 

As a part of researching the topic, we asked students without a disability to eliminate their sight or a limb. We all now have and owe more respect and admiration for those with a disability and climb for fun or competition. It is a tough task for anyone, but even more so for those needing an adaptation.

 

CrossFit’s Ability to Adapt to Disabilities

            CrossFit is a community-based type of exercise that prepares and strengthens your body for everyday movements. CrossFit workouts start with a warm-up, followed by a high intensity workout phase which only lasts about 20 minutes. Rarely will the same workout be repeated unless the athlete wants to better their time or increase the number of reps. CrossFit is beneficial for overall fitness as well as for the social aspect. CrossFit is all about pushing each athlete to challenge their limits while cheering for everyone that is competing. The last person that finishes is just as important as the first person.

            CrossFit is for everyone – all fitness and ability levels including those with disabilities. CrossFit is a great exercise for those who have limb amputations, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury. Modifications can be created for every workout of the day (WOD). Regardless of the disability, the sport of CrossFit is for individuals who are willing and able to push their limits.

For those living with disabilities, it is crucial to make time for daily exercise. People with disabilities are more prone to chronic diseases and secondary conditions such as obesity, osteoporosis, and muscle atrophy. Exercising a few days a week for only 30 minutes can reduces your chances of dealing with these health issues. The emotional and social aspect of working out is just as important as the fitness benefits. Exercise can improve self-esteem, reduce the chance of depression, and give individuals an increased sense of belonging.

            If you have a disability and are looking for a type of exercise that fits you, I think you should give CrossFit a try. The best thing for you to do is sit down with a CrossFit coach and discuss your boundaries – what you can and cannot do. You should feel comfortable, yet challenged by your new exercise plan. If you have any questions about safety or ideas for your modification, feel free to express those things with the coach. It must be a group effort to find your passion for fitness. But I can promise you this, once you join the CrossFit family, you will never want to leave!

Check out these videos of athletes with disabilities that have joined the CrossFit movement:

Climb On: Rock Climbing as a Fully Inclusive Activity

Rock climbing is a perfect activity for all ages and disabilities. Brent Kuemmerle, an amputee and accomplished outdoor rock climber and snowboarder said, “The benefits of rock climbing indoors or outdoors are an accomplishment that builds confidence, strength, and self-esteem." Climbing also increases focus, attention, inventiveness, social interaction, trust in others, muscular strength and endurance, and coordination. Indoor rock climbing is a great way to get started in the sport and there are many ways to adapt for any type of disability.

 

Studies show that rock climbing can “increase spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination and balance.” Mentally, rock climbing can aid in learning about “advanced planning, problem solving, and goal-setting stills” used throughout their lives. The article “Rock Climbing for Children with Disabilities” thoroughly explains different climbing techniques for those with different disabilities, including techniques called a para pull-up, single amputee procedures, and the process of how to handle someone with a visual impairment.

These adaptations are:

·         A “para pull-up” is a technique used for a climber with little or no use of their legs. This type of climb has a person attached to a belay and an ascender which is attached to a chest harness.  

·         Another adaption is called the “single amputee”. With this variation, a climber with an amputee will rely on their stronger limbs to help raise themselves to the top of the wall. This type of climb does not require any special equipment to climb, however it does require careful consideration for each move and be cautious of their balance as they scale the wall.

·         A climber with a visual impairment does not technically have an adaption but they must thoroughly understand how to communicate with a partner helping from the ground. In many situations, someone with a visual impairment is advised to use a clock-type system to propel upwards. Understanding where the hands are on a non-digital clock is imperative to successful climbing and communication.

Just because someone has a disability and needs an adaptation, they should never be set out of an activity. Whether it is out of fear of the unknown or not educated enough to know how to adapt, it is never acceptable to sit someone to the side because they “do not know what to do with them”.  

 

Indoor rock climbing is a great activity for everyone because there are many ways to adapt for any type of disability.  Not only is rock climbing challenging, but it is fun and can forever change someone’s outlook on their own disabilities. It can prove to others, and themselves, that anything is possible if they set their mind to it!

 

CrossFit: An Adapted Fitness Activity

Having a physical disability can feel extremely limiting to a person living with paraplegia, cerebral palsy, or an amputation simply because it is automatically more difficult for these individuals to perform “everyday” activities that others find easy to do. Truth is, most people with disabilities can achieve anything they believe they can.

 If someone with a physical disability has a loss in strength, cardiovascular endurance, and/or physical fitness, then those activities can seem impossible to do on their own. This is why resistance training and cardiovascular fitness is so important for people with physical disabilities. According to researchers at the National Center for Health, Physical Activity and Disability “When combined with the natural aging process, the likelihood of becoming physically dependent on others for assistance with daily activities substantially increases.” (Resistance Training, 2013).  So, do I dare say that conserving physical, mental, and social wellness is even more important with people with disabilities? Where can a person with physical disabilities attain all of these things? Answer: CrossFit.

CrossFit is a fitness program that is designed around improving everyday functions, while working out with your community or family. The movements are designed to simulate real-life situations like picking up small children, reaching for a heavy box off the top shelf, or carrying groceries up a flight of stairs. Each WOD (workout of the day) gets all muscle groups firing rather than targeting specific areas; it is a total body workout every time.

WODs are typically performed in CrossFit Boxes, which are specifically designed for their workouts. These gyms are normally in a garage-like metal building and contain pull-up bars, barbells, kettle bells, ropes, etc. There are certain times of the day that workouts are held with clients usually sticking with their same time each day. People who are members of these boxes have described them as being a “family atmosphere”. Having a physical disability can keep people from going out of their house, much less going to the gym to work out in front of a crowd of people. CrossFit is very accepting to modifying workouts to those who are disabled.  Groups of people do the workouts together, cheering and pushing their fellow friends on.

While any form of exercise is going to be beneficial to those who are physically disabled, CrossFit is ideal because the workouts are functional movement-type workouts and involve both strength training and cardiovascular training. CrossFit is the ultimate activity for individuals with disabilities, who desire an intense and challenging workout. 

Inspired to Make It Happen Sooner Rather than Later

“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” It stared back at me from a blank greeting card this morning, a morning that was pretty normal. I had smacked the snooze button a couple extra times, tussled my hair into a “style,” dressed and found two close-to-matching socks. But that saying—by Eleanor Roosevelt, by the way—stayed with me.

For the last year and a half or so, the thing I’d thought I could not do was to make an overdue phone call to my favorite football coach. In late October 2011, I was fresh off of reading the autobiography of Barry Switzer, a man once charged with feeding what he called “the Oklahoma Football Monster” and former Dallas Cowboys head coach. Coming from a fanatic Oklahoma Sooner Football fan family and inspired from reading his book, Bootlegger’s Boy, I sat down and wrote a three-page letter to him.

I mentioned my role as a coach (at the time, I had just finished my second season as a head high school volleyball coach). And I included a story my dad likes to tell about hitting a home run in a baseball tournament game at Oklahoma University and the esteemed head football coach picking up the ball. Switzer was touring the new construction additions to the stadium at the time and stopped to toss the ball back into the outfield. I read the letter back to myself a handful of times, sealed it up, and sent it off with hesitant hope for a reply.

Much to my Sooner surprise, less than three weeks later I was staring down at a Barry Switzer return address from Norman, Oklahoma and a hand-written note complete with the line “Call me sometime.” Below it was a phone number jotted at the bottom of the page. My very favorite football coach had taken the time to read, respond, and send back a letter to me. That was the beginning.

Ever since I received his reply, I’d been thinking about what I’d say when I got the nerve to call that number.

“Hi coach, my name is Joanna Hensley. Maybe you remember getting a letter…”

"Coach Switzer, this may sound strange but…”

I even called once. The outgoing message was as friendly and laid-back in that Arkansas drawl as you could imagine. But I waited; I said I would do it later. And “later” turned to 19 months.  

Until today. Sleepy, messy-haired, and mismatched socks on my feet, I made that phone call. Voicemail. I left one.  And just as he had with that letter, the ol’ football coach responded promptly with a friendly greeting and invitation in his own voicemail. And after a game of phone tag and one actual conversation with him all the way from Las Vegas, I’ll be meeting him for coffee Friday morning in a cafe in Norman. One of my heroes, sharing a few words with a girl who woke up this morning not knowing how amazing today was going to be.

So whatever question you have, whatever chance you’ve left untaken, whatever leaf you’ve yet to turn over in your path to your dreams, do it today. “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Thanks Eleanor and Boomer Sooner.

Good is the Enemy of Great

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and

become more, you are a leader.  --- John Quincy Adams

Leaders often possess characteristics that set them apart from others; they are focused, determined,  passionate, educated, proactive, and risk-takers.  Leaders have the innate ability to play hard and work even harder to achieve their goals.  They live in a world in which good is the enemy of great. 

The Kinesiology graduate students at Tarleton State University would like to learn more about YOUR world. What is YOUR career goal?  What are the characteristics that YOU most admire in a leader?  Let's start a worldwide conversation between leaders in Kinesiology and Sport! 

Please leave a comment below...we value YOUR thoughts!

The 12th Man

Many colleges have traditions and rituals that are University specific and very important to the players, fans and alumni. Texas A&M University, in College Station, upholds a tradition that involves all who proudly wear the Maroon and White.

The following information on the 12^th man was taken from the A&M website http://aggietraditions.tamu.edu/team/12thman.html.  Established on the second of January 1922 when the underdog Aggies faced Centre College the Nation’s top ranked team. As the Aggies dug deeply into their limited reserves, Coach Dana X. Bible remembered a squad man who was not in uniform. He had been in the press box helping reporters identify players. His name was E. King Gill, and was a former football player who was only playing basketball. Gill was sent down from the stands and suited up in an Aggie uniform on the sideline where he stood ready throughout the rest of the game. A&M finally won the game 22-14, when the game ended, E. King Gill was the only man left standing on the sidelines for the Aggies. Gill later said, "I wish I could say that I went in and ran for the winning touchdown, but I did not. I simply stood by in case my team needed me."  

Gill became known as the 12^th Man because of his willingness to support his team and his school. This spirit of Texas A&M University has become a very valuable asset to the school in their quest for success on the gridiron and in the classroom. The 12^th Man is used as a marketing tool to promote pride on campus; the 12^th Man verbiage is visible on  university apparel, game day media guides, and is even on the football stadium. The 12^th Man is the spirit of the A&M student body and is represented at all Texas A&M football games as the student body stands ready (literally, the student body stands up during the entire game) should the eleven men on the gridiron need assistance.

Using tradition to promote school spirit is a simple yet powerful marketing strategy that all universities should embrace. Discover the history of your school and encourage students to rally around the tradition!

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New to the Spotlight: Overlooked Athletes Get Drafted

What is an overlooked niche specific to my career field? Who is snubbed in the world of young, professional, football athletes striving to create and maintain a positive image in the public? The NCAA Division II athlete, often overlooked for his skills and aptitude because of the size of the school he attended, is also at a disadvantage in the realm of media training and spending time in the public eye. Ten NCAA Division II-level athletes were drafted in the NFL’s 2013 Draft in April and a few others were invited to participate in rookie camps and try-outs around the League in May.

Photo courtesy of sbnation.com.

So let’s follow the best-case-scenario route of a Division II rookie who is selected in the NFL Draft: his phone rings Saturday of the Draft, he hears one of 32 distinct voices on the other end of the line, his name is called by a guy most people will always refer to as “Mr. Goddell” or “the Commissioner,” then his world changes. Undoubtedly, within the hour, a microphone has been shoved in this young 21- or 22-year-old’s face, asking him what it means to be a part of the fill-in-the-blank NFL organization and how he felt getting that phone call. Then there are the inevitable phone call interviews from the hometown paper, the Sports Information Department, and the big-city reporter who is charged with the sports beat in his “new” hometown. And this Division II rookie only received that life-changing phone call 67 minutes ago!

Great story, right? A career advances, lives change, and backs get patted. But what is being overlooked? The young man who hypothetically sits before us in this scenario is prepared for what’s next in most ways: physically, he’s ready; football-wise, he fits well in the scheme. But this young man, having most likely never taken any sort of training classes or even crash courses in media relations and interviewing skills will now be forced to think, act, and speak on the fly with a recorder or camera running at all times. It’s easy to mess up, no matter who you are; ask Joe Namath. This young man who made it through the overlooked bunch at the Division II athletic level is now facing the growing pains of being overlooked on the communication front. And that is where I come in…Joanna Hensley, Leadership and Improvisation Coach.

Learn more about changes to the NFL Draft in 2014
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9301153/roger-goodell-confirms-nfl-draft-moving-2014

Texas Longhorn Football: Power House in Marketing

The University of Texas athletic department is a powerhouse that scores on the field and in the revenue department. According to beyondsports.com, during the 2011 season the Longhorns football team brought in more than $95 million while the men’s basketball team saw revenues in excess of $16 million.  The $112 million generated by the football and basketball programs did not include revenue from the Longhorn Network or national apparel sales.

Talk about marketing your team. UT has a winning tradition on the field while fans from all over the nation support the team off the field by purchasing Texas Longhorns merchandise. It is a not uncommon to see University of Texas Co-Op's in major cities, other than Austin, throughout Texas. This further proves the point that the UT athletics brand "the Longhorn" is not only a recognizable symbol of success, but also a fashion statement worth flaunting.

The University of Texas comes in at number one in revenue and in fan base. As young couples prepare for families, their children's fate is already determined as most Texas infants have burnt orange baby clothes, or a Longhorn baseball cap, or a UT football in their possession immediately upon being placed in the crib. Burnt orange is a common thread in Texas towns, and any Texan can tell you that UT sports have a lasting record of success that can trump any other college program in the nation. UT has made itself an athletic staple in the state, as well as the nation. They are not just a sports program—they are a brand, a symbol burnt into the public's mind that symbolizes success.

Recruiting – It’s About the Uniform!

Alternate uniforms in football have become one of the biggest trends in college football. In fact, the right uniforms can have an enormous impact on recruiting.  At the NCAA Division II level, funding (or lack of) plays a major role in a team’s ability to purchase multiple uniforms.

Tarleton State University, one of the premier teams in the Lone Star Conference as well as the nation, has six uniform combinations that they compete in throughout the season. With the recent addition of the matte black helmet, the Tarleton Texans have showcased a modern look for uniforms in a variety of combinations. The Texans have Nike jerseys and pants in matching purple, white, and black.

The newest addition to the Texan uniforms were in honor of the United States military.  With the support of the Tarleton ROTC program, the football program was able to purchase new all-black uniforms which they proudly wore on Military Appreciation Night. The black uniforms represented the 7 characteristics of the military --- honor, courage, service, duty, respect, integrity, and loyalty --- which were proudly displayed on the name plates on the back of the jerseys. The numbers were camouflage with a purple outline.

The Tarleton Texan football program has a Nike contract which provides the players with Nike gear from head to toe.   As the Texans run out of the tunnel at home and away games, they look good, feel good, and they play good!

 

Designer Basketball Courts

Real estate on university basketball courts continues to be an ever-powerful recruiting tool. Courts are no longer mere pieces of hardwood with simple lines. They are a blank canvas that can be transformed into an eye-catching, and most importantly a prospect-catching tool within a head coach’s arsenal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many universities have followed in Oregon’s footsteps by incorporating elaborate artwork of their own. These courts serve as a blank canvas, which function as an innovative backdrop for sporting events. Most recruits dream of competing on a masterpiece of art that showcases their school’s pride and tradition. The University of Oregon chose the artwork of Douglas Fir trees and the phrase “Deep in the Woods” in homage to the natural beauty of the state. George Washington University paid tribute to the nation’s capital by incorporating famous landmarks of Washington, D.C. on the hard-court. This begs the question; do these basketball courts have the same iconic feel of Boise State University’s football field “The Blue”?

 

The designs on these basketball courts are cutting-edge and immediately recognizable. Head coaches are always searching for ways to separate themselves from the competition and to have a dominant presence on the national level. Universities that elect to go the trendier and artistic route are putting their athletic programs in a position to succeed. From a recruiting and school pride point of view, the artistic designs of these courts are clever and offer a bit of majesty, making them enviable pieces of athletic property respected by coaches, fans, and athletes alike.

Female Fitness and Social Media: What’s Right for You?

As a woman, I know that we frequently struggle with finding the right personal fitness plan. Not only are we constantly displeased with our body image, but most of the time we do not want to ask for help for fear of being criticized.  That criticism is especially difficult to take when given by another woman. Let’s face it – as women, we are our own worst critics. However, women should no longer feel this way.

 

Today, women have so many options for seeking help for fitness inspiration (also called “fitspo” or "fitsporation" – the words fitness and inspiration combined), workouts, personal trainers, and even nutrition advice. Women are more likely than men to take advantage of inspirational social media sites and smart phone apps such as Instagram and Pinterest because they target women in most of their posts. Posting “fitspo” before and after weight loss (or muscle gain) pictures via Instagram has created a new phenomena of ‘online famous’ as women share their fitness tips.  These ‘fitspo” women gain social media followers who are inspired to workout after seeing images of real results.  Pinterest has a Health & Fitness section that provides ideas for quick workouts and recipes. I am guilty of spending countless minutes of my day on these social media sites.

 

For women who struggle with face-to-face assessments of their bodies, there are many online personal trainers who have the knowledge and skills to provide solid advance (for a fee) to their virtual clients! These personal trainers can empower these virtual clients by providing instruction via Skype, FaceTime and podcasts.  Most of the time, online personal trainers are cheaper than gym membership, you are able to set your own schedule, can visually show you how to do an exercise even though they are not in person, and helps improve on communication skills and accountability via the internet. There are so many pro’s when it comes to online training and motivation.

The old excuse “I will join a gym after I lose some weight” is no longer valid thanks to the internet and social media.  Women no longer have to be ashamed or intimidated; the internet is filled with reputable fitness information that allows each person to develop a good workout, meal plan, and motivation to  succeed.. However, as always, you cannot believe everything on the internet so make sure you choose wisely and are a well-informed fitness client!



Picture taken from Instagram

Picture taken from Pinterest

Marketing Sports to Change Lives

Each year during the month of October, football teams at every level (public school, college, pros) modify their uniform colors by adding pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.  In the past few years it has become commonplace to create honorary games dedicated to certain causes or people battling a life-threatening ailment.  Some teams have a game in honor of a specific person to help raise monetary support for that person during their time of need.  The sport of football has aggressively promoted these honorary games, while other sports teams have yet to embrace this marketing technique.

Although promoting health awareness at an athletic event is a noble cause, sports marketing professionals can also promote community service initiatives that lead to increased ticket sales.  To attract more fans to a basketball game, the team might offer free admission to all elementary students at a certain school located in the community.  This marketing initiative brings more fans to the game as well as provides heightened interest within the younger fan base in the area. 

Professional soccer clubs often walk out onto the field with kids from youth soccer programs at their side.  Imagine yourself as a young child – how awesome would it be to walk out onto the field with your favorite team?  This gesture is something that these kids will remember for the rest of their lives!  

Promotional events are a great tool for marketing a sports team by creating lifetime fans.

NBA ‘Noche Latina’ Campaign

During the 2006-2007 NBA season, the inaugural ‘Noche Latina’ games were created to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month. Roughly translated as Latin American night, the ‘Noche Latina’ celebration included games between NBA teams located in the top Hispanic markets in the U.S. – Los Lakers (Los Angeles), El Heat (Miami), Los Bulls (Chicago) , Nueva York (New York), Los Spurs (San Antonio), and Los Mavs (Dallas).  In 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the Hispanic population in the United States grew to more than 52 million – roughly 17% of the U.S. population. The annual event has grown in popularity mirroring the rapid growth of the Latino population.  

During ‘Noche Latina’ games, the players displayed their Latino pride as they dressed in special uniforms with their team names translated to Spanish. During each one of the games, Latino music and special programming was created to spark an interest in the sport of basketball in the Spanish-speaking communities. 

In my opinion, the NBA has developed an effective marketing approach to recognize the dynamic diversity in the U.S. Although some people think that it is just a joke or even a dishonor to the Latino heritage, but I think it’s a great marketing strategy by the NBA public relations staff.

College athletic departments and Campus Recreation programs such as  Intramural teams and Club Sports should embrace this unique marketing concept. Celebrating Latino Heritage night or month would increase the celebration of diversity on campus and possibly target an untapped market of future participants. ‘Noche Latina’ has been successful at the pro level; let’s bring it into the college games!

Athletic Recruiting: Make It Personal

Success in collegiate athletics requires a coach to utilize great marketing skills when recruiting potential student-athletes.  The coach must promote the athletic program as well as the university and the community.

 

As a former golfer at Tarleton State University, I was impressed that the team was consistently at the top of the NCAA national rankings each year.  However, the most important recruiting element that kept me from walking away and committing to another collegiate golf program was the way the coach marketed the university, golf program, and the community.   The coach emphasized the school traditions, the small class size, and the small-town feel of the community.  He also focused on the team chemistry and the family-like atmosphere; I didn’t feel like I was just another recruit --- I felt like I was special.

 

To be set apart from other collegiate golf programs it is significant to focus on what the university and your program specifically offers for the recruit. As a coach it is important the way you market your program, university, and community in order to recruit the best players for a successful program.

My Kind of PE!

During my time as a student teacher at Morgan Mill, I learned a lot about the way children perceive PE in school. The young ones, in grades K-3 absolutely love whatever game I teach them to play. The simplest of games, such as ones that involve parachutes, will make their day in my PE class. However, it's the students in 4th-12th grades that have the most trouble enjoying PE. This may be because they start to question "How is this PE class relevant to what I want to do?" As teachers, we need to let our students know that PE is important; we must make our students aware of the benefits of being physically active for a lifetime.

 

The goal of physical education is to develop individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in healthy physical activity for a lifetime.  In order to achieve this goal, we must encourage and expect participation in PE classes. Perhaps one of the ways to get students to appreciate PE is to have them be responsible for their own learning. The PE teachers should determine what motivates the students, what kind of exercises they enjoy, and why physical activity is important in their daily lives. To get the students to understand the importance in being fit, the PE teacher can allow them to be creative in developing their own workout for the class.  By promoting ownership and excitement for physical activity, the PE teacher is ultimately encouraging health and fitness for life.