I consume a lot of sports content and during this pandemic lockdown, even more so. It’s mostly podcasts, videos, and blogs that many of you probably already consume as well. These are some of the takeaways I’ve gotten this past week of random consumption with links. Please leave your thoughts if you think any of this makes sense at all or any other gems you’ve picked up this week.
At risk of sounding too much of JRE nut, I’m a big fan of Dr Rhonda Patrick whenever she’s on the show. I can’t attest everything she says is legit or tested but it seems like she knows what she’s talking about and definitely the data she shares is interesting and applicable.
In this excerpt they discuss the mental benefits of running including how it improves executive function (when you need to make a decision) and its impact as a growth factor in the brain.
From anecdotal experience I would definitely agree on the point made by Dr Patrick that aerobic work out provides calmness. Running helps turn on stress response pathways that help deal with stress better. The theory is that this is done by activating anti inflammatory pathways. The benefits are awesome in that running can help you be more creative, moderate anxiety and help to process big decisions.
So before your next big creative decision – go for a run first!
OK one more on running. (Quick recap from my earlier post – I just started running during the Covide lockdown so do indulge my current obsession)
One of the benefits of being a beginner is the chance to start with good fundamentals and unlearning any bad habits you’ve picked up along the journey of life. The fundamental I’ve started working on is lifting the heel when running. Might seem like a small matter but it’s mind blowing for some.
Doing this helps to ensure you are using your big leg muscles which in turn makes sure you are moving efficiently. This is critical in avoiding injury and also building endurance the right way.The back kick propels you forward. Get out of the saddle and push forward. I know I personally have these issues and don’t feel like my body is moving correctly when I’m doing sports. This has been a great chance to assess and work on it.
This dude’s video helped me think about this and have a way to work on it. He’s super goofy looking but again great info for a newbie like me. Unnecessarily, excellent dance moves as well midway as a bonus.
In a desperate search for active sports in the time of Covid I went back to golf, a game I haven’t played in years. I can count on two hands the number of times I’ve actually played on a course and with that information any golfer will know how terrible I am at it.
A friend invited me over the weekend, but alas all flights were full so we ended up at Golfzon – a Korean simulator franchise that’s been deemed the best in the world. I’ve been to driving ranges and I’ve seen other simulators but I have to say this was pretty awesome. (FYI As much as I wish it were the case, this post is not sponsored by Golfzon or anyone else for that matter 🙁
Everything from the basics like not having to bend over to tee off (imagine a bowling alley retrieval system), built in sensors and cameras, to the real time visuals and nature sounds were awesome. I’m told these are pretty standard for golf simulators – though what’s not is the platform shifting and slanting based on the slope where you ball lands on the virtual course. There are also separate mats you hit off based on whether you land on the fairway, rough, or bunker. Really cool stuff. And the data is awesome for a stats geek like me – from the angle of trajectory for every shot you take to the % on fairway and green.
Even for a beginner like me it was awesome. Plus it’s in a private comfortable KTV type room – a great way to spend a few hours working on your game in an accurately simulated environment minus the embarrassment of other people watching. Besides the ones you choose to go with, of course. Even that can’t be simulated away.
That’s all for this week! Let me know what you guys are watching & listening to in the world of sports.
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