When we think of athletes and active people, we certainly don’t think of exercise being dangerous to their health.  It makes sense that active people would be healthier than sedentary ones.  The truth is, exercise and strenuous physical activity can increase our oxygen consumption in order to meet our energy demands.  This causes “oxidative stress” that leads to the generation of free radicals.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals are organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and possibly some diseases such as cancer. Oxidation occurs when free radicals damage cells in the body.  Free radicals can enter our bodies in a variety of ways including tobacco smoke, toxins, pollutants as well as from a poor and inadequate diet. Antioxidants, which are found in fruits and vegetables, can help to neutralise free radicals in our bodies.

 Athletes are at risk from free radicals

When an athlete’s training intensity is increased, the body’s cells are at an increased risk from the damage produced by free radicals.  Studies have shown that both strength and endurance athletes produce more free radicals than untrained individuals.

 The key to success

Of course, sticking to a well structured training programme is the best way for athletes to obtain successful outcomes but it is necessary to combine this training with an adequate diet and antioxidant nutritional supplements to assist with post-event recovery and overall wellbeing.

Antioxidants improve post-event recovery and accelerate muscle repair especially in older athletes.  Regardless of age, if you are competing in this year’s Gold Coast Marathon then it’s time to stock up on some antioxidant nutritional supplements now!

For more information, please watch our short video:

http://inessence.berryradical.com/home.jsf

References:

“Antioxidants for athletes”, Dr. John M Berardi, Ph.D. http://www.johnberardi.com

Berry Radical Fact Sheet, Narelle Chenery, Miessence

“Nutrition For Endurance Athletes Should Include Antioxidants” , Dr Keith Scott

http://vitaminconnection.com/nutrition-for-endurance-athletes-should-include-antioxidants%C2%A0%C2%A0/

“What Antioxidants & ORAC Mean for Endurance Athletes”, Sally Warner, PhD

http://www.firstendurance.com/2011/04/what-antioxidants-orac-mean-for-endurance-athletes/

When you give your heart, soul (and body) all year to training for a big event like this year’s Gold Coast Marathon, the last thing you want is to injure yourself prior to the big day.  Many athletes neglect to book in for pre-event massage due to last minute training.

Robert Turner, from Active Body Therapies, providing post-event massage at the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman & Ironwoman series, Currumbin, Gold Coast, November 2010

Pre-event massage plays an important role in your training and preparation for a sports event or competition.  Pre-event massage can be performed from two days to just before the event.  Neither first time nor deep tissue massage is recommended as both can take a couple of days or more to recover.

Your massage therapist should tailor all treatments to your specific needs at all times and pre-event massage is no different.  All athletes handle competition differently, some will need a relaxing massage to calm their nerves; others will want a short, invigorating rub-down simply to assist in warming up their muscles, increase circulation and prevent injury.  The emphasis here is on the main muscle groups that will be used during the event.

Post-event massage is equally as important as pre-event massage.  Many athletes neglect to do a proper cool down after competition due to exhaustion, celebration or disappointment.  The aim of post-event massage is to reduce muscle tension, soreness, and inflammation and to assist with overall recovery.  This massage generally takes 15-20 minutes and should be performed right after the event to reduce the amount of recovery time needed by the athlete.  It is recommended that you book in for a longer massage treatment in the 1-2 days following the event as well.

Are you competing in this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon? We can assist you with pre and post-event massage.  Simply phone us on 0403 444 684 to book your massage today! Be sure to check out our website for our Gold Coast Marathon Super Specials!

We are back with another great special to coincide with this year’s Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

Photo credit: http://www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au/

With only 10 weeks to go now, this is the perfect time to take advantage of our Gold Coast Marathon Super Specials!

2011 Gold Coast Marathon Massage Specials

Please note we are also offering our latest service Kinesio Taping as part of our massage packs.  To find out more about Kinesio Taping and how it can benefit you as a runner, please read our previous blog post.

Pre-paid Marathon Massage Packs

Buy a 3-Pack and get 1 x FREE Kinesio Taping session (valued at $45)! 
Valued at $270 – Marathon Special $210

Buy a 6-Pack and get 1 x FREE Kinesio Taping session (valued at $45) AND 1 x FREE tube of ROWO sports gel (valued at $22)! 
Valued at $517 – Marathon Special $405

Buy a 12-pack and get 2 x FREE Kinesio Taping sessions (total value $90) AND 1 x FREE tube of ROWO sports gel (valued at $22)!
Valued at $1012 – Marathon Special $760

Buy a 12-pack today and you can get 1 x sports massage every week leading up to the Marathon and then have 2 x massages left for your post-Marathon recovery!

Remember - health fund rebates are available!!

For more information on our regular Pre-paid massage value packs, please click here.

Terms:

To receive these special offers, simply mention our “Marathon Specials” at time of booking.

Packs expire 12 months from date of purchase.

You may have seen bright coloured tape on other runners or athletes and wondered if it was a new form of body decoration; or you may have heard of people who have been “taped” – but just what is Kinesio® Tape and as a runner – why do you need it?

What is Kinesio Tape?

Kinesio® Tape was developed more than 30 years ago by a Japanese chiropractor, Dr Kenzo Kase. Whilst it has been in common use in other parts of the world for some time, it was only introduced to Australia relatively recently in 2004 by Dr Kase himself.

photo credit: www.ransacker.co.uk

What’s so special about it?

Kinesio® Tape is used to give support after an injury and during rehabilitation to prevent overuse.  It’s also used to:

• Reduce pain
• Enhance performance
• Prevent injury
• Promote improved circulation and healing
• Help prevent muscle cramping and lactic acid buildup

Different to traditional taping, Kinesio® Tape works with the body to allow for full range of movement. The body’s damaged tissue can rest and heal naturally despite continued use.

The tape is 100% cotton which means it is breathable and lasts several days through sweating, bathing and even swimming.

What running related injuries can it be used to treat?

Kinesio® Tape can be used to treat many running-related injuries.

It supports the muscles and increases circulation around injuries and other painful areas, and is frequently used by runners prone to shin splints.

Kinesio® Tape can also help with the following:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Runner’s Knee
• Ankle Sprain
• Achilles Tendonitis
• And more!

Who uses it?

Many world-class athletes now swear by the tape such as: Serena Williams, David Beckham, Lance Armstrong, Lleyton Hewitt, and Tiger Woods.

Meb Keflezighi, winner of the 2009 New York City Marathon, and Molly Huddle, current American record holder in the women’s 5,000-meter run, are just two of the many top-flight runners who use Kinesio® Tape in their training.

Kinesio®  Tape is now used in practically every sport and at all levels from elite athletes to weekend warriors.

Where can I get taped?

Kinesio® Tape must be applied by a professional who is trained.

For more information on how Kinesio® Tape can help you or to book in for a Kinesio Taping session, please phone Robert at Active Body Therapies (Miami & Robina) on Tel: 0403 444 684 or visit:

http://www.goldcoastsportsmassage.com.au/

Sources:

Kinesio Tape. – Colleen Morrissey Wheatley, The Runners Blog.

http://blog.timesunion.com/running/kinesio-tape/2171/

Kinesio Taping official website

http://www.kinesiotaping.com/

Active Body Therapies is pleased to be supporting the 2010 Pan Pacific Masters Games here on the Gold Coast.  This is our third year with the Games and we love the atmosphere that the teams and participants bring.

We have set up Sports Massage facilities at the following Gold Coast events and locations:

Basketball – Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium, Runaway Bay

Indoor Netball & Beach Volleyball – Parklands Indoor Sports Centre, Southport

Come and see Robert and the team at Active Body Therapies for your pre- and/or post-event sports massage and let us help you recover faster to help you perform at your optimum level throughout the week!  You can also pre-book your massage by phoning: 0403 444 684.  We can also arrange mobile massage to your hotel for you and your team.

For more info on the importance of recovery for Masters athletes, check out this previous blog post.

We look forward to seeing you – good luck to all the teams and have a great week!

Photo: www.mastersgames.com.au

Photo: www.mastersgames.com.au

Photo: www.mastersgames.com.au

Reformer Pilates is now available at Active Body Therapies! We are excited to be partnering with Dynamic Balance Pilates to be able to offer you reformer pilates at our Miami, Gold Coast clinic.

Pilates improves muscle flexibility, joint mobility, strength and co-ordination. It also improves posture and core strength and can assist with decreasing general stress and tension.

For excellent results, pilates can be combined in conjunction with your massage programme to aid in the overall recovery of soft tissue injuries.

Dynamic Balance Pilates Miami specialises in pre and post-natal clients, injury and post-surgery rehabilitation as well as clients over 50. Led by Director Melinda Medway and sister Nicole, Dynamic Balance Pilates offers personalised, professional instruction in their fully equipped pilates studio.  Private and semi-private classes are available.

For more info or to book, phone Melinda on 5575 1332.

Attention Runners!

Active Body Therapies Sports & Remedial Massage, Miami is offering a Gold Coast Airport Marathon Super Special.

To reinforce the importance of pre and post-event massage, we will be be offering the following specials to coincide the upcoming Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

Receive a FREE half-hour massage when you purchase a pre-paid massage 6-pack.
Receive a FREE 1-hour massage when you purchase a pre-paid massage  12-pack.

This offer is only valid for purchases before the marathon which begins 3 July 2010.
*Pre-paid pack massages are transferable and can be shared with friends and family.

For more information or to book, phone us on 0403 444 684.

photo: http://www.flickr.com

Would you like to become a Personal Trainer?

Then don’t miss our partners Inspire Success Academy of Fitness‘ information evening Wednesday 12 May 2010 on the Gold Coast.

Become a fully qualified Personal Trainer in just 12 weeks with their expert program of theory and extensive hands on training.

Say goodbye to your old job and start a new and exciting career doing what you love. Turn your passion into profit!

Their course includes all your Fitness Essentials, Fitness first aid course, Gym and Personal Trainer course, on-going mentoring.  Inspire Success Academy of Fitness guarantee to beat any competitors price for a comparible product and once you have completed the course you will be able to come back anytime you wish and sit in on any lesson free of charge.

Call now to reserve your place at their information night on Wednesday 12 May 2010.

Phone 07 5559 0623.

HICAPS is now available at the Active Body Therapies Miami clinic, Gold Coast, Australia.

A HICAPS facility enables clients with private health insurance to pay only the gap fee for their Gold Coast Remedial Massage treatment when they visit Active Body Therapies.

We offer rebates for Remedial Massage Therapy for all major private health funds in Australia as well as many smaller, lesser-known health funds.  For a more complete list, please visit our website.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

For massage bookings, please phone us on 0403 444 684 or email us via our website.

We are pleased to have joined the Busy Mums Fitness Club as part of their Expert Panel.  We will be contributing a monthly article on massage-related topics which will be accessible to members only.  The Busy Mums Fitness Club is FREE to join and contains a fantastic range of health and fitness resources for women.  Whether you want to access the members-only resources such as access to the experts panel, video workouts, nutritional plans and recipes, competitions such as the Body Transformation Challenge, there is no doubt that you will gain exceptional expert advice from your FREE membership.

Created by Mireille Ryan, fitness expert and founder of Health Guru Women’s Bootcamp, the Busy Mums Fitness Club offers a much needed way for busy mums to take charge of their health and fitness without the high price tag and from the convenience of their own home.

To join the Busy Women’s Fitness Club, please click here.