Charity Football: “Play For Life”

During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched the “Give AIDS the Red Card”, a campaign aimed at raising awareness around HIV infections and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.  The campaign, which has been successful with involving high-profile team captains, athletes, and fans across the world, has called on all those involved to “celebrate life and support the global campaign to prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV”.

UNAIDS has widened the campaign to other sporting events, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique, and the upcoming African Women’s Basketball Championships (Afro-Basket) in Mali.

With 3000 young people being infected everyday with HIV, UNAIDS is committed to the “Give AIDS the Red Card”; one that hopes to see the elimination of the HIV virus and a generation of HIV-free youth for the future.

As the campaign continues, football fans on October 9^th, 2011, will be treated to a charity match played at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.   This match comes on the eve of the International Forum “MDG6 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia” which will be taking place from the 10^th-12^th of October in Moscow.

The match will feature politicians, musicians, celebrities, and former athletes, who will play together to focus attention on the need to raise funds and awareness, and to strengthen the HIV response for the 34 million people worldwide who are living with the virus.

Captained by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe and Russian Presidential Aide Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, the two sides will also host former stars such Luigi di Biaggio, formerly of Lazio Roma, Gianfranco Zola, who played for Napoli and Chelsea and Daniele Massaro, former player of AC Milan and a champion of the FIFA World Cup in 1982.

As one of the world’s most powerful communication tools due to its universal appeal and power of influence, UNAIDS continues to use sport to reach out to a large number of young people around the world, particularly since youth account for 40% of new HIV infections each year!

Nutrition: Carbohydrates

Contrary to popular belief and nutritional myths, carbohydrates are an absolute essential part of the diet and are a valuable source of energy for the human body.  In fact, carbs are considered a chief source of energy for all body functions and muscular exertion.  Interestingly, carbs also help regulate the digestion and utilization of protein and fat, thus making carbohydrates the boss of the “Macronutrients” (a group which include protein, fats, and carbohydrates).

It is vital to note that weight gain or loss is directly related to total energy intake and not the source of food eaten.  This means that when total caloric intake exceeds the output, any excess carb, protein, or fat may be stored as body fat until energy expenditure exceeds energy output. Fiber (a product of carbohydrates) is associated with lower incidence of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Carbohydrates ultimately are the determining and can be the limiting factor in exercise and sports performance.  Maximal fat utilization cannot occur without sufficient carbohydrates.  Furthermore, when a runner “hits the wall” or while performing high-intensity aerobic exercise, carbs play an essential role in providing energy to the body and helping the body push through more difficult periods of such exercise.

The NASM recommends that an individual should consume a high-carbohydrate meal 2 to 4 hours before exercising for more than an hour.  Sports drinks are also considered a good source for maintaining blood glucose levels during exercise and for supplying glucose to working muscles whose glycogen stores are dwindling (glycogen: the complex carbohydrate molecule used to store carbohydrates in the liver and muscle cells).  After exercise, consuming carbohydrates within 30 minutes of completing exercise is recommended to maximize glycogen replenishment. For altering body composition (or weight loss), the NASM recommends a 50-70% of total daily caloric intake of carbohydrates.  Simply put, half of the food you eat during the day should be carbohydrate-based!

Long term success for weight loss and weigh maintenance is linked to realistic eating, which includes eating carbohydrates! Carbohydrates are a preferred form of energy that need constant replacement within the body. They are exclusively essential to certain parts of the central nervous system, as well.  It is important to remember that carbohydrates are not the enemy in a weight loss plan but rather, it is smarter to be aware of caloric intake and stabilizing energy imbalance.

Cardiorespiratory Training: An Overview

Cardiorespiratory training, or simply put, “cardio”, is training that places a stress on the cardiorespiratory system, thus elevating the heart rate.  Any kind of physical activity can be used as a form of cardio training, such as walking, mowing the lawn, or even gardening.  This form of training can be used for many practical purposes and can be integrated into a workout plan as part of a warm up, cool down, or as the core part of the program.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine states that 5-10 minutes of cardio training is sufficient as a pre-workout warm up.  The “warm up” aspect of an exercise program is linked to providing protection from injury and should be considered a smaller but essential component of a complete workout.
5-10 minutes is also a sufficient amount of time for a post-training “cool down”.  Using cardiorespiratory training as a tool for cooling down the body provides the body with a smooth transition from exercise back to a steady state of rest.  Benefits of a cool down include improved flexibility, minimization of muscle soreness, and an emotional balance after exercise stress.

The NASM states that one may profit from cardiorespiratory training through decreased fatigue, anxiety, risks associated with heart disease, hypertension, cancer, osteoporosis and obesity.  Furthermore, this form of training can increase athletic performance, blood lipid profile, immunity, insulin sensitivity and an overall sense of well being.

One of the less talked about but equally important aspect of cardio training is the need for it to be enjoyable! The value of the pleasure derived from the activity to an individual is important for building a pleasurable foundation for a lifestyle change.   Therefore, it is important to find cardiorespiratory activities that match your personality and interests!

Hydration: The importance of water for fat loss and performance

Water is the most basic and essential need for the human body.  Water is not only crucial for survival but is also necessary for improving peak performance and provides significant results during weight loss! During intense bouts of exercise in tropical weather, a vital part of my diet was the use of water to hydrate and improve overall bodily function.  Whether it was for strength endurance activities, cardiovascular exercise, or Muay Thai classes, water was the part of my diet that held my daily routine together and helped me push forward towards my goals.
On average, it is recommended that an individual consume approximately 96 ounces (3 quarts) of water a day.  This may seem like a lot but, in fact, more should be consumed during fat loss programs.  According to the NASM, those interested in losing fat should consume “an additional 8 ounces of water for every 25 pounds they carry”.  All in all, a lot of water should be consumed during the day for a variety of reasons.
Water constitutes 60% of the adult human body weight.  Some of the benefits of water include improved liver function (which increases the percentage of fat used for energy), the decrease of appetite (this was one of the effects of water I noticed immediately after I began my fat loss plan), and the improvement of metabolic function (increased endurance, strength and power).  There are other benefits of the use of water that can improve overall bodily function as well.
Conversely, the effects of dehydration can lead to negative outcomes and can be detrimental to a fat-loss plan.  Some of the negative effects include increased heart rate, decreased blood volume, decreased blood pressure, and the increased use of muscle glycogen (leading to the loss of muscle) and water retention. The National Academy of Sports Medicine states that “fluid loss of even 2% of body weight will adversely affect circulatory functions and decrease performance levels”.
During exercise, consuming approximately 16oz of fluid 2 hours prior to training (8-16oz’s more in warmer weather) is appropriate for fluid replacement.  Furthermore, it is important to consume 20-40oz’s of fluid for every hour of exercise performed.   If you choose to exercise for more than 60 minutes, it is wise to opt for a sports drink (eg. Gatorade) containing a light amount of carbohydrates.
These are just a few tips about water that can help an exercise routine and improve day-to-day health for individuals. While water is sparingly available in many developing countries, the abundance of water readily available to those who can afford it should not be taken for granted.  If you have access to water, make good use of it!

Setting Goals for Weight Loss

Weight loss is a great way of making and adding to lifestyle changes.  With over 30 percent of the adult US population estimated in the obese range, an inclination towards exercise and sport is a positive sign and a promising one for those who hope to live a happier and healthier lifestyle.  Having lost 55 pounds over a given period of time, one thing about weight loss is sure; it was one of the most difficult tasks I ever undertook.  With that in mind, it should be known that the feeling of stepping on a scale and watching the pounds drop off was extremely rewarding and a necessary boost to my confidence and health.  To achieve the weight that I wanted, I always kept my goals in mind, no matter how small or insignificant they seemed, and these goals helped me move towards my eventual target weight.

According to the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), goals are crucial to any and every fitness program.  It is important to refer to your goals to remind yourself why you are “doing this” and to reach success.  The NASM has put forward six useful principles of effective goal setting, otherwise known as SCAMPI goals.  This means that goals should be specific, challenging, approach (positive vs. negative!), measurable, proximal (time specific), and inspirational (consistent with your ideals and ambitions).  Following these principles carves out a path to success for all those who truly want to achieve their goals.

Conversely, those with conflicting or uncertain goals can experience depression, anxiety, illness, distraction, and other negative emotions and occurrences.  As someone who has dealt with all of these not-so-pleasant feelings while creating a weight-loss plan, goals and a vision helped me achieve a fair amount of progress and led me to important changes in my life.  Goals can be a very important guiding light to one’s fitness routine and should be effectively implemented to provide a positive and satisfying outcome.

Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah: July 23rd

On July 23^rd, ferocious and explosive Amir Khan (Record: 25-1) will take on Yankee south paw and seasoned veteran Zab Judah (41-6) for a unification bout that will place the light welterweight champions against each other for a 12 round showdown in Las Vegas. Khan is the current WBA Champ while Judah holds the IBF belt.  Khan is the younger of the two fighters and is favored to win while Judah, who has fights against Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, and Argentinian power-puncher Lucas Matthysse, will be coming in as more than a stepping-stone and somewhere between underdog and contender.

King Khan has his sights set on eventually fighting (and beating) Floyd Mayweather in 2012.  In a recent interview with BBC, Khan said he wants to fight the retired champ at Wembley stadium in England in 2012.  Khan hopes to take on Erik Morales and Kell Brook (British Welterweight Champ) before boxing the unbeaten Mayweather.  Khan was hoping to fight the other title holder in the light-welterweight division, Timothy Bradley, but he settled for the Judah bout after negotiations fell through with Bradley’s camp.  At the moment Khan will need to focus on Judah, who is on a 5-fight win streak and is by no means a weak or unworthy opponent for the rising British star.

With poor decisions recently turning into commonplace in boxing (Lucas Matthysse vs. Devon Alexander, Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara), it is in the interest of both fighters to make a solid statement and dominate, leaving nothing up to the judge’s imagination.  Even though the fight will be taking place in Las Vegas, which can be considered neutral territory to both fighters, it will be seen as “home soil” for Judah.  This will make things tougher on the young British fighter who will have to land a few more punches and leave a substantial mark if he wants to win a unanimous decision.  Khan’s, who has great respect and faith in his trainer Freddie Roach, has insisted that he has a concrete game plan that he is going to implement for the bout with the Brooklyn native Judah.

This is a big fight for both boxers and hopefully an exciting one for boxing fans, who are often left scratching their heads after “all-hype” fights that are setup for money-making purposes as opposed to crowd pleasing and competitive entertainment.  If fans are fortunate enough to be spared head butts (lefty vs. righty combinations often lead to head butting) and poor score-card decisions, there is no reason why this fight can’t be a thriller like Khan vs. Maidana (2010).  For Khan, a victory could mean the beginning of a legitimate legacy while a victory for Judah can mean the icing on the cake of a respectable boxing career.  On July 23^rd, one boxer will leave Las Vegas a unified champion with two title belts.

 

All-Asian ICC World Cup Final:The Battle in Bombay

Perhaps the most electrifying and captivating match of the World Cup has come and gone with India’s win over Pakistan in Mohali, but as with any World Cup Final, two of Asia’s best are set for a showdown in India’s “other capital city”; Mumbai.

Three out of the four teams playing in the semi-finals were from the sub-continent but now with just two teams ready to duel it out at the legendary Wankhede Stadium, Indian and Lankan fans are looking towards a victory and with it, a reason to celebrate and cap-off over 30 days of non-stop cricket and to maintain ever-precious bragging rights over their neighbors, at the least for a short while.
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have each hoisted the trophy once in the history of the ICC World Cup. With Pakistan eliminated from the picture, the moment for the remaining two heavy slugging teams in the area has arrived.

Even though the final is being played in the heart of India, both teams are matched evenly and Sri Lanka is always up for some unpredictable and volatile cricket, especially while their players are wielding a bat.  For the Lankans, the currently in-form Dilshan and Team Captain Sangakkara are the notable players who can change the course of a match with a few well-timed shots.
In the Indian camp, Yuvraj and Sehwag are normally the ones taking big risks and big shots. Sachin Tendulkar’s will be playing in his last World Cup and all eyes are on the “Little Maestro” to put up his 100^th International Century at the biggest match on the biggest stage of international cricket.

This World Cup final will be the first since 1992 where Australia are not involved.  Sri Lanka have fought hard to get to the final and India have battled past demons in the form of Australia and Pakistan to advance to a well-deserved finals appearance.

ICC Cricket World Cup Update-10th March.

With 3 weeks gone in the Cricket World Cup, an unpredictable affair with teams in both groups giving each other trouble has been keeping the tournament competitive and action packed.  Teams have been putting up big numbers but also have been playing closely contested low-scoring matches where good bowling has been followed up with excellent fielding to limit run chases and give batsmen an all around hard time.  Fans have been treated with some interesting finishes and some absolutely superb batting performances.

Those watching the tournament have now seen epic and embarrassing collapses in batting, a 282-run partnership from Sri Lankan openers, a nail-biting and extremely exciting draw between India and England, and England losing shockingly to Ireland thanks to the quickest hundred scored by any player in an ICC World Cup by KJ O’Brien.  Australia and India are yet to lose a match so far in the tournament but given the nature of this turbulent tournament, don’t count out a loss by either of the big 2 before the elimination stage.

After a pitiful showing by Bangladesh on the field against the West Indies, an even more pitiful showing by Bangladeshi fans put them in the spotlight for stoning a bus.  But for the most part, fans in the sub- continent and around the world seem to be soaking in the cricket action and enjoying every minute of the ICC’s big tournament.

To watch games, tune into www.cricvid.com for live action.

NBA Cares: Basketball in your Community

The NBA has done much work over the last few years to expand into foreign markets, to revamp its growing image and to be continuously recognized as a legitimate organization in world sport.  Well, as the saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility”.  The NBA knows all about handling such responsibility.  Players and coaches in the NBA have made a concerted effort to give back  through their community outreach program: NBA Cares.  Global outreach, Player trips to foreign and remote locations, emphasis on education, youth, health and other issues makes the NBA Cares program one that puts social responsibility at the top of the agenda.   Whether it is making a child’s dream come true, supporting campaigns that address sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS, or simply giving fitness advice, tips and motivation through video clips (NBAFit), the program is successfully operating throughout the world to address important issues. Check out the NBACares website for further information, video clips, and volunteer opportunities: http://www.nba.com/nba_cares/

UNICEF and Sport for Development: Children on the front line

UNICEF has many organizational goals based around the betterment of the lives of children. Using sport as a tool for this enhancement in quality of life, experiences, and well-being are among the top priorities of the UNICEF organization. For further information, be sure to check out UNICEF’s website for more information on the organization and what it has done, goals, past, current, and future projects, and list of high-profile Goodwill Ambassadors and advocates of UNICEF’s work.

http://www.unicef.org/sports/index.php