100000Strong.com

Truth be told, starting your very own sports business may not as hard as you may think. In fact, a franchise business opportunity might be just what you need to get your foot into the door of a lucrative career in the sports industry.

Consider for a moment the potential for sport franchises in today’s marketplace. It goes without saying that a business that provides sports oriented products and services can attract consumers of all ages and backgrounds.

Additionally, fitness and physical activity are both encouraged and promoted in today’s society; thus, a large percentage of people may be interested in purchasing and participating in various kinds of sport promotions that you could offer through your own sport franchise.

For example, golf attracts both adults and children. And, a sport franchise for an indoor golf or driving range could be profitable year round.

Where to start?

Interested in a sports franchise, but not sure where to start? First, take a look at the growing list of sports-related franchise business opportunities and decide which one is the most appealing to you, paying close attention to your own areas of personal interest as they relate to sports.

In fact, the best way to chisel out franchise success in this unique arena is to find a sports niche that you have a natural interest in and then pursue a franchise opportunity in that area.

For instance, if you are sports-minded and enjoy spending time playing, organizing or just providing sports-oriented products and services to the general public, a sports franchise that provides you with an opportunity to capitalize on your love for fitness, golf, sportswear, baseball or even go carts, is sure to lead you to victory.

In short, choose a franchise that suits your experience and interests then build your dream business!

Attractive start-up packages and low investment requirements

Getting started couldn’t be easier when you have a proven game plan already at your fingertips – all from the company itself, which will be provided for you in play-by-play detail. That’s because sports franchise companies want and need their franchise outlets to succeed and are willing to give you as much information and detail as you need to make your franchise both highly profitable and highly successful.

And with a proven game-play and rule book to follow, you’re sure not to foul out, which makes sports franchise opportunities much more attractive than trying to start your own sports-related business from scratch.

This said, you should know that franchise opportunities relating to fitness, golf, sportswear, and even sports photography are available right now with low investment and attractive start-up packages. Snap Fitness, Nevada Bob’s Golf and Future Stars Sports Photography are just a few of the sport franchises ready to purchase.

]]>

Now, just ask yourself, which of these is best suited to your unique sports passions.

Initial investment- what to expect

Once you choose the sport franchise, you will find that the initial investment required for start-up is usually low. In fact, some franchise companies can even help with financing so that you can start your business as soon as possible. For example, a Simple Golf Solutions franchise requires start-up funds as low as a 00 liquid capital with financing assistance available!

Additionally, purchasing a sport franchise gives you a framework from which you can start to build your own business, as mentioned above, and will provide you with the support you need to be up, running and profitable in no time.

Sure, you are responsible for maintaining the franchise according to the company guidelines but you still have your own business. Consider Kinderdance where a complete training system is in place combined with a low start-up cost and simple business procedure make operating your own franchise a reality!

Additional benefits of owning your own sport franchise

As the global economy incorporates massive growth with business performance, the outlook is good for sports franchise owners. Because most consumers associate a “brand name” with superior quality and customer service, when you purchase a well-known sport franchise, your customer base may already be established since your business is largely generated by the consumer’s experience with the company.

The combination of the franchise base, your investment in time and effort, and customer service satisfaction may be your game plan for success in the sports franchise arena.

And, as a sports franchise owner, you can forget about the day- to-day grind and experience the freedom to choose your own hours and paycheck as you lead your own team to new-found success.

And, as your own coach, so to speak, you have total control, which means no more dead-end jobs, no more overly demanding bosses.

Now, it really can be you and your team.

Low-risk makes some sports franchises look great

Suddenly, it is not such a huge risk to operate your own franchise. Because you can carefully examine every sports franchise opportunity and crunch the numbers and compare the businesses more important details, you can find one that suits your unique needs and your budget.

You can choose one that allows you to get it on a level you are comfortable with and if you want to add additional players to increase your start-up pool of funds and decrease your personal risk, that’s entirely up to you.

Sports-themed businesses you should know about

As you consider sports franchise opportunities, there are a few top producing ones that you may want to look into first, including:

Snap Fitness
Snap Fitness caters to its members through its flexible 24/7 operating system where the facility is available at any time regardless of individual schedules and time constraints. Combining a unique 24 hour a day card-locking and surveillance system plus a highly trained and knowledgeable staff ensures a positive and convenient fitness centre experience for each and every client.

Nevada Bob’s Golf
This sport franchise offers a wide selection of specialty golf products and services to meet the needs of the amateur to professional golfer. With over 25 years of success in the golf retail industry, Nevada Bob’s Golf has everything for the prospective franchise owner and customer!

Future Stars Sports Photography
With a state of the art production facility, unlimited support and extensive training program, any franchise owner can see picture perfect results every time with a Future Stars Sports Photography sport franchise. An amazing product and customer service mean business success for any entrepreneur interested in sports photography.

franchise opportunities are ready for the taking with low startup cost and turn key operation. And sport franchises are becoming some of the most popular and profitable businesses in the marketplace today.

When you sign on the dotted line

When you purchase your own franchise business, you can start with the knowledge that there is a well-established company behind you that will provide plenty of support and guidance whenever you need it.

Sport franchises are one of the best ways to have a solid and profitable business without investing a huge amount of money to get started. Once you make the decision to purchase your own sport franchise business, you are on your way to realizing the future that you always dreamed about but didn’t know how to get started.

A look ahead at sports franchises

Sports are big business. From individuals to elite professional teams, almost everyone is involved in some kind of sport activity. Whether it is just throwing a baseball in the backyard or participating in a worldwide competition, some element of sport is everywhere.

Owning a sport franchise allows you to participate when you provide the products and services. Your business franchise may be geared specifically to one sport or many depending on your interests and business goals. Have fun finding the sport business opportunity that’s just right for you!

The not-so-good performance by the British contingent at the Wimbledon championships may be linked to a recent study made by researchers from the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital which suggested that high-level tennis can be detrimental to the spine of young people. The team scanned the spines of 33 elite adolescent tennis players, male and female, who trained at the National Tennis Centre, the club where you can find Britain’s most promising young tennis players.  Though none of the youths have reported back pain, their backs, however, told a different story.
Serious spinal abnormalities were found to afflict 28 players, a high 85%, ranging from cysts to fractures. Twenty three had an early stage of joint disease, while 13 were found to have herniated discs or desiccated, shriveled discs, a condition usually common in septuagenarians but much less prevalent in teenagers.  According to the authors of the study, tennis requires more frequent, repetitive, and rapid rotation from the lumbar spine than most other sports.  Playing it during a period of “growth spurt” is particularly detrimental.
Various studies, on the other hand, revealed that back problems don’t afflict just teenage tennis players. At least 1/3 of all competitive football players will hurt their lower backs during play and may experience lower back pain, as will a third of gymnasts and 25% of serious rowers. About 40% of divers are likely to develop a spinal stress fracture, and many cyclists will experience constant, grinding back pain while riding.  Severe lower back problems were reported by another study in 6 out of 7 twirling-ribbon rhythmic gymnasts.  Topping the list of sports that can cause problems in the lower back and neck is golf with 90% injuries to professional golfers, and almost 80% missing at least one professional tournament because of back pain.
Experts believe that in order to protect and build a better back, one needs to have a solid core. “It’s not just the abdominal area, as many people think,” says Vijay Vad, a sports medicine specialist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and a back-care adviser to the PGA Tour and the professional men’s tennis circuit.  Vad said that, “…to really include all of the elements that move and stabilize the spine, you have to go from your knees to your nipples. That’s the core.”  
The core muscle system is made up of the muscles, ligaments and tendons which provide rigging for the spine. The big muscles in front of the spine, as well as those at the sides are specifically important in stabilizing the back. These are the rectus, transverse and oblique abdominals. Same with the less familiar intertransversi, interspinalis and multifidus muscles, which connect to the larger abdominal group but are usually ignored in magazine articles about washboard abs. Both muscle groups must be strong and supple in order to keep the spine stable.
The most crucial element of core health is endurance since it keeps the stabilizing muscles and connective tissues going through a long workout or game. “You have to have enough muscular endurance to be able to maintain spinal stability throughout the entire length of an activity,” says Michael Higgins, the director of athletic-training education at Towson University in Maryland and the author of several prominent academic articles about back injuries in athletes. “Without endurance, what you often see is that near the end of a game, the muscles can’t quite control the movement of the spine adequately anymore, ” he said.  No matter what sports you’re into, if your core can’t keep up, your back is sure to suffer the consequence.

Tip – Drink Warm salt water when doing sports When exercise, you’d best carry a mug, if not feel thirsty, it’s best to drink for 20 minutes every twelve to balance the loss of body perspiration to prevent dehydration caused to the human body injury. When you’re on a treadmill bolted dozens of minutes or a hearty to play basketball, the water to quench their thirst and fatigue became a natural choice. In the wide variety of drinks, iced drinks and sweetened beverages, especially the young men. But many people have this experience: to drink a lot of water, but still does not quench thirst, and even become more thirst, and some also appeared elevated body temperature, muscle cramps and other symptoms. “In fact, before and after exercise and hydration during exercise is very knowledgeable, and drink will help keep the body fluids of a balance, to ensure the health and safety of health.” World authority on the field of Sports Medicine, American College of Sports Medicine will exercise the principle of pay summarized as follows: First, 2 hours before exercise drink about 500 ml of boiled water. “This is because hydration before exercise can improve the body’s thermal regulation, reduce the movement of the heart rate. 2 hours and pay in advance to give sufficient time for metabolism of the kidney, the body fluid balance and osmotic pressure adjusted to the optimum condition, have sufficient time to the excess water from the body. ” Second, the movement process, if more than 1 hour, you should drink salt water, water with 0.11-0.15 grams of salt per liter, and temperature control in the 15-22 degrees Celsius. “The movement of a large number of sweats, sweat contains a lot of ion composition, ion content at this time no drink boiled water, it will not achieve additional effects. The salt water is able to replenish the loss of ions, to prevent hyponatremia psychosis not respond. “He suggested that, to exercise, the best carry a mug, a good proportion to red light salt, if not feel thirsty, it’s best to exercise 20 minutes per drink twelve in order to balance body sweat loss and avoid dehydration caused damage to the human body. Third, after exercise, drink electrolyte drinks that contain sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in the drinks. Or can the ratio of 1:15 add some sugar in boiled water for drinking. “Sugar added to the water is to maintain a certain blood glucose levels and delay fatigue occurs, thus ensuring the health of fitness.”

Sports journalism in dedicated sports magazines offers reports on events like competitions and tournaments and related sports news. There are many sports magazines that have been mocked and called “toy magazines” for showing no concern for the ‘serious’ topics covered by various news desks. Today, sports coverage has grown in importance, just as the different sports themselves have grown in wealth and influence and a lot of subsequent power and recognition.

Sports journalism in sports magazines is an essential component of the news media organization. Sports journalism in sports magazines includes a sports department that is devoted solely to diligent sports reporting. Some of the world renowned magazines dedicated to sports are Sports Illustrated and Sports Round Up.

The reporters of various sports magazines have a tough time with sports teams from around the world. While some are not always very accommodating with sports journalists, others are known to allow sports reporters into locker rooms for interviews and some extra information. There are also sports teams that provide extensive information support, even if the reporting proves unfavorable to them. There are certain countries where sports coverage is often barely tolerated by the clubs and players.

Sports journalists who work for the various sports magazines are like any other reporters. They too have to find the story rather than simply rely on information that is generated by the sports teams or institution or the dedicated coaching staff. The reporters on sporting events are expected to first and foremeost be conversant with the particular game they are covering and the nuances involved. Sports journalists have to verify facts given to them by the teams and organizations they are covering, before getting the content into the sports magazines.

Often, the coaches of the different games and teams and players and even the sports organization management rescind the access credentials of the reporters covering a particular controversy or sporting event. This is done entirely in retaliation for printing accurate, but disparaging information about a team, player, coach or the organization in question.

Today, sports reporters cover extensively sports journalism for professional and intercollegiate sports such as American football, ice hockey, basketball, baseball and football. The sports magazines are segregated to either cater to the target ‘reader’ group for a particular sport or into sections within that cover different sports and offer better coverage to the sports enthusiasts. The sports magazines are headed by a team of professionals either from the games themselves or avid enthusiasts from around the world, who have followed the games religiously.

Sports magazines all over the world have now become a part of the integrated world online. The online sports magazines are increasing in popularity due to the private and comfortable access to live news and reviews possible because of the interent technology. There are many sports magazines that cater to both, the online and virtual segments successfully.

Though jobs in the sports industry might seem to be plentiful, it is a very competitive field. Divided into ten sections, this industry contains thousands of jobs in, sporting events, trade shows and meetings, sport sponsors, sport related media, sport facilities, sport retailers and manufactures, and professional sport services.

This industry in particular has a large turnover, a complex infrastructure, and an influence on many people’s lives via the media and participation. To completely understand the nature of the sports industry, one must know that it is composed of different components:

Different Components in the Sports Industry

-Sporting goods – equipment manufacturers, high street sports retailers
-Facility management, provision and maintenance – motor sport facilities, stadiums, sports and leisure centers
-Sports coaching
-Sports tourism – packages for fans attending the world cup matches, or Olympics
-Sports development – sports development initiatives, governing bodies for various sports, local authority sports development officers
-Sports-related gambling/betting
-Professional sport
-Health and fitness – health clubs, GP referral schemes, personal fitness
-Trainers
-Sports medicine -sports injury clinics, physiotherapists
-Outdoors and adventure activities – mountain biking, climbing, canoeing

To know every section of the sports industry, you must understand the type of activities that take place and the respective organizations that provide them. For instance, if you are planning to get involved with sporting goods, you should know the different types of goods that are available through specialist equipment manufacturers and high end retailers, plus names of the various companies involved.

Likewise, to seek a job in sports development, you should be aware of what “sports development” is and the various jobs available for sports development officers, as well as the organizations that employ them, like the local authorities and charities governing bodies of different sports.

In general, people take it for granted that jobs are restricted within the sports industry. However, there are many other opportunities available. A job in the sports industry could range from that as a professional athlete, to a ball girl/boy, to a general manager of a professional sports team. You don’t have to work for a professional sports team to get into the industry. You could start working as a trainer or coach for a high school team, a journalist, or a sports agent, or even work as a television broadcaster.

Salary Range in the Sports Industry

The sport, the team and the type of job, are some of the aspects that influence salaries in the sports industry. Following are examples of salary ranges of some jobs in the sports industry:

Coach: ,000-0,000+ (College) and ,000-,000 (high school)
Sportscaster: ,000- million
Sportswriter: ,000- million
Sports Event Coordinator: ,000-,000+

Education largely depends on the type of job one is planning to pursue. A college degree may not assure a job in the industry but may provide numerous opportunities for employment. Besides, it is almost impossible to get into the sports industry without experience. The best way to prepare for a job in the sports industry is to get maximum exposure.

Why do sports travels will bring chocolate?

“University of Zurich and the American University School of Medicine New research shows that dark chocolate can significantly improve endothelial function, and vascular endothelial damage and dysfunction is the development of atherosclerosis, the initiating part.”

This is the message recently in chocolate Center held “favorite chocolate reasons” event, Peking University Third Hospital, Institute of Sports Medicine, Dr. Chang Qing Cui introduction.

Dr. Chang said that chocolate contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and other minerals beneficial to human body, known as flavonoids, polyphenols are the core health component of chocolate, polyphenols antioxidant effect, which exists in some common plant foods, such as cocoa, tea, soy, red wine, vegetables and fruits, giving the unique charm of the ingredients of chocolate is cocoa beans, compared with other foods, cocoa beans and more particularly high phenolic content. The polyphenols in chocolate can also extend the human body other antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, reaction time, and can promote blood vessel dilation, reduce inflammation and reduce blood clot formation, which play a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

]]>

For many people concerned about “eating chocolate will not cause obesity” problem, said Dr. Chang, a 47 grams of chocolate per person per day normally about 10% of total energy intake, energy balance in healthy conditions, eating chocolate does not cause obesity.

More than 95% of obese people is due to overeating and lack of exercise-induced, that is, energy intake exceeds energy consumption, so that excess energy in the body into fat storage. So, for those who like to eat chocolate wants to maintain the standard weight of the people, the best way is through regular exercise to maintain energy balance.

In addition, chocolate, or sports and travel, he added the ideal of energy and nutrition foods.

Movement and travel in the body will consume a lot of energy, if not added, it will have a negative impact on the body. Sports Nutrition research shows that before the exercise the chocolate add to the body’s energy to muscle and liver glycogen in the full state, and thus help to improve athletic performance. In the campaign, chocolate, who can replenish the energy consumed in the movement, is conducive to the recovery of the body.

Academy Sports & Outdoors, The Sports Authority, Inc. and Dick Sporting Goods are amongst the leading Sports Equipment Stores in the USA

The 10 leading sports equipment stores in the USA are discussed here.

Academy Sports & Outdoors

This specialty company is known to be among America’s largest and most popular sporting goods sellers. With more than a hundred chains operated all over the southeastern region of the country, Academy Sports + Outdoors shops furnish the sports aficionados with a heavy collection of gears, clothing, as well as accessories at comparatively inexpensive rates.

The Sports Authority, Inc.

This popular chain offers everything from class sports footwear, apparels and sports accessories, at competitive rates. The company also provides an all-encompassing gamut of sports paraphernalia from aquatic sports equipment, hiking and camping gears, football supplies, cycling stuff to ball games kit. In 1987, Sports Authority, Inc. opened its first shop in Florida. Now, the company runs more than 400 stores scattered in the country.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

Is one of the most advanced sporting goods chain in the United States that presents a sizeable choice of quality sports equipment, sports clothing, and sports accessories. The company sprang from the simple aspiration of a young man Dick Stack to sell fishing gears in the late 1940s. Today, Dick Sporting Goods has more than three hundred shops spread throughout thirty states across the United States.

Sport Chalet

Sport Chalet started out fifty years ago as a shop selling only scuba and ski equipment. At present, it has rocketed to be one of USA’s top sports vendor that provides high-end sporting merchandise such as fitness, bowling, fishing, basketball, airsoft, golf, snowboarding equipments, and a lot more. Sport Chalet also provides copious services such as sports expert advice, repairs and rentals. Stores are located throughout Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California.

Modell’s Sporting Goods

The company is one of the leading provider of an extensive line of sporting equipments such as paintball, soccer, skateboarding, running equipments plus so many more. It also supplies athletic footwear, and costumes. Brand names for football jerseys like The Champion and Schutt DNA football helmets are sold in Modell’s stores. Modell’s Sporting Goods is the oldest family owned specialty business of sporting merchandise in the United States. The company runs almost a hundred shops all over Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia.

Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc.

It is established in 1945 and is currently based in Birmingham, Alabama. The company equips sports fanatics with its wide multiplicity of reasonably priced apparel and equipment for sports such as basketball, boxing, football, and weight lifting. It also offers famous brand names of sporting goods like Dickies, Nautilus, NBA, Nike, Oakley, and Ecko. Near to 500 Hibbert Sporting Goods, Inc. stores are located in more than twenty American states.

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

REI is one of the United Sates’ biggest buyer cooperatives that serves as a source of a broad line of camp and outdoor sports gears and clothing. REI has 77 retail stores and a comprehensive web site, as well. Dog gears, tents, car racks, backpacks, sleeping bags and watches are some of the products that REI sells in its different stores nationwide.

Football America

Maryland-based Football America has been providing the United States with the handpicked football equipment and supplies for almost three decades now. It offers a full selection of hard-wearing, high performance football costumes, helmets, cleats, shoulder pads, plus more.

ATS Sports

ATS Sports is USA’s and the globe’s biggest resource of tennis related tackles such as stringing machines, grips, court equipment racquet strings, umpire chairs, benches, as well as tennis accessories. The company is headquartered at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sports & Recreation, Inc.

Is the tenth biggest sporting goods franchise in the US and is based in Tampa, Florida. It is a supplier of well-liked trade name sports equipment as well as footwear. As Sports & Recreation, Inc expanded its stores and locations, it also came up with a number of different names for its stores. The stores were adorned with banners that were aimed to build up the hometown persona of the company. Local area names where a Sports & Recreation, Inc shop is situated were taken on as the name of the store, itself. Thus, the stores run under names like Tampa Sports and Jacksonville Sports Unlimited.

One problem associated with sports drinks is that they contribute to tooth decay. Dr. Alex Milosevic of the University of Liverpool in England said most products contain high acid levels that can destroy teeth.

In the British Journal of Sports Medicine, he reported the case of a 23-year-old cross-country and marathon runner whose upper teeth had eroded from drinking sports drinks regularly for the past year. To avoid this problem, don’t sip or swish sports drinks. The longer they stay in your mouth, the more damage they can do to your teeth.

Of questionable value too are sports drinks laced with herbal extracts like ginseng, guarana and ephedra (known by its Chinese name ma huang). The US Food and Drug Administration classifies ephedra as a toxic herb and has warned consumers not to buy or take this drug.

Studies show that this herb stimulates the central nervous system and can increase heart rate and blood pressure, cause nerve damage and memory loss, muscle injury, and death in high doses. When combined with a caffeine-containing herb like guarana, ephedra’s side effects become even more pronounced.

]]>

Knowing all this is there anything good about sports drinks? So far, the only people who need them are athletes who engage in strenuous exercise for more than an hour or those who work out moderately for two hours or more. In these situations, a sports drink may provide you with enough carbohydrates to fight off fatigue and enhance performance.

Before buying anything, read labels carefully. Avoid those that include additives or herbal extracts. Look for one that contains about six to eight percent of carbohydrates by weight. Getting more will slow absorption and may cause stomach cramps.

But if you ask the experts, they’ll skip all those energy drinks and go for diluted fruit juice instead. It costs less, they say, and offers the same benefits. For those who exercise and are concerned about fluid replacement, water is still your best choice. As Kurt Butler said in A Consumers’ Guide to Alternative Medicine:

“For intense exercise that lasts more than 90 minutes and calls for additional energy, dilute fruit juice, lemonade, or even Kool-Aid or soda should suffice. There is no reason to pay inflated prices for performance drinks. For those who prefer these drinks, there is no harm in using them, and they do efficiently replenish body fluids after a marathon or near-marathon. But they provide no competitive edge over those drinking less costly fluids.”

“Perhaps the greatest danger lies in the illusion that nutrient-enriched drinks help to create – an illusion that they can be a substitute for a balanced diet. Such drinks have a place, but a varied diet that emphasizes whole foods is the only way to get the array of complex nutrients necessary for healthy living,” concluded the editors of On Health.

To strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.

PROTECTION, COMFORTABLE and PERFORMANCE AIDING CLOTHING in EXERCISES and SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Introduction

It has been quite traditional for individuals to be in proper clothing for the sports that they are engaged in for the obvious reasons that it may meet the unique requirements of the sports. Clothing in life provides decoration, comfort and protection within the limits of modesty. Middlemas, (1997), points out that cloth decorate the body, conceal defects and supports top garments. It could denote the rank a person holds or sort of work done or a person’s origin and allegiance. However, clothing in sports combines these functions and in addition, differentiates individuals or teams from one another depending upon the particular sports. It equally offers a psychological advantage since well dressed individuals or teams derive inner satisfaction that creates a sense of feeling good, enhancing personality and self esteem of the wearer(s.).

According to Watkins, (1984), clothing is the most intimate environment and what makes its unique environment is that it carried everywhere with the individual, creating its own room and its own climate within the large climate of our surroundings. Consequently, the need for clothing in sports remains paramount since the sporting environment is laced with unique features that are injury-producing.

Many situations exist in which clothing remains the best protection from impact. In contact sports, body padding provides the only feasible source o protection which Garrick, (1972), views as a unique problem and that although one cannot avert entirely, the injury producing situations when contact with another player results the alternative, he asserts, is to accept the inevitability of the injury-producing situation in sport, and attempt to reduce the likelihood of actual injury. For example, football helmets, shin guards and pads to limit and disperse the force of bodily contact. Equally, new technology such as the introduction of artificial turfs came into use and created the need for changes in protective clothing as a quick and effective way or means of averting the new types of injuries that began to appear. More importantly, increase activity in sports requires a corresponding provision for the greatest possible freedom and safety in clothing to enhance movement and check impact on contact. It is an established fact that if people do not have to work against their clothing they can move effectively.

Perception of clothing in sports

According to Garvin (2003), “Exercise increases heat production. During exercise in both warm and cold conditions, the major dilemma is the dissipation of the heat produced from muscular activity. The use of clothing generally represents a layer of insulation and as such imposes a barrier to heat transfer and evaporation from the skin surface”. The problem of clothing in sports has probably captured the imagination of fashion designers, sports psychologists and coaches for as long a time as any other problem in the field. However, the scope of the field of clothing design for sports creates an approach that ensures balance in the creative strategic control process and aesthetic concern. In response, a new kind of clothing designer must emerge to provide innovative solutions to the clothing problems in sports.

According to Watkins, (1984), clothing in sports is perceived as a scientific area that covers physics, psychology and kinesiology that is closely allied to anatomy, physiology and biomechanics. Perhaps, the greatest branch of kinesiology that offers useful background for clothing designs kinematics that deals with the description of movement variables and not the factors that cause the movement. Thus, clothing used for specific sports must protect the skin from damage, preventing the body from heat and cold in both contact and non-contact sports. Variation in dressing however is based on the particular sport, weather, occasion, societal norms and values, etc. For the purpose of this paper, clothing in sports is regarded as not ending with the fabric but covers such accompaniments or accessories such as shoes, socks, gloves, braces, mask, helmets, shin guards, belts, etc  as required and stipulated in the rules governing the sports and in line with the standard specifications. In essence, any conventional alteration of the body appearance is conceived as clothing. For instance, while a tennis player appears in white shorts and shirt, white canvas and socks displaying beauty for a game regarded as exclusive for the kings and Queens, it would be very funny to see a field hockey goalkeeper attired in mask, gloves, boots and an “oversized” shin guards. Both clothing are unique to tennis and hockey respectively offering protection, comfort and mobility but the accessories of the hockey goalkeeper is purposive to give added protection by disguising the weak points due to the dangerous nature of the game while seeking to maintain optimum movement.

Gavin (2003) found out “clothing can serve a protective function by reducing radiant heat gain and thermal stress”. He stated that recent research suggests that neither the inclusion of modest amounts of clothing nor the clothing fabric alter thermoregulation or thermal comfort during exercise in warm conditions. He suggested that future research should include conditions that more closely mimic outdoor conditions, where high work rates, large airflow and high relative humidity can significantly impact thermoregulation.

Functions of clothing in sports

(a)  Protection:

Clothing designed for use in sports is made by crucially identifying body areas of maximum exposure in order to provide the necessary protection. The use of protective clothing is considered vital for insuring safety of the participants (Dejonge, Ayers and Branson, 1985).The ability to protect the individual or team remains paramount. Clothes worn for specific sports task must protect the skin from damage and prevent the body from heat and cod. The weather plays a significant role in the choice of clothing. It is therefore the place of the coach/physical education instructor to choice he appropriate fabric to protect the individual(s)/team from harsh weather conditions. However, protection and motion are often in opposition in current sports equipment  because when he body is totally protected from impact, body movement is difficult or impossible and where equipment ha placed n constraints on the athlete, protection has usually been  sacrificed (Watkins, 1977).

(b) Comfort and Mobility

Comfort and Mobility are discussed together because they are closely related and when one is aware of the fact that the key element in clothing in sports is to maximize movement (mobility), engender comfort and minimize discomfort, then the attempt to divorce the two would diminish. Ease of mobility is precisely related to comfort and function. Jaffe, (1979), considers comfort as the feel of the fabric, air permeability, and amount of electrostatic cling, thermal insulation and movement of limbs. Muscles, bones and joints working in unison from the system of levers and forces that produces mechanical advantage in just the same way that other mechanical devices sand machinery does making movement possible. Movement involves time, energy and space which are equally dependent on age, sex health, race, body build, conditioning, fatigue, psychological factors – aesthetics and motivation which may influence the degree of movement. Thus, to measure the success of any protective garment, and individual must be able t move in the garment easily without undue strain.

Mobility is often reduced as protection is increased in sports clothing. The rigid materials and the foams used in many items of protective sports equipment such as hip guard, hip girdles, shin guard, chest protector, fem guard etc may limit movement. The possibility being that as more padding is added range and speed of movement may be hampered (Watkinns, 1984). Be that as it may, clothing in sports has always been made with an enhanced ability to expand and contact with the body during movement thereby increasing mobility.

General criteria for clothing in sports

Dejonge, Ayers and Branson, (1985), noted that inappropriate clothing leaves the individual/team exposed and remain the cause of both acute and chronic adverse health effects through dermal exposure and impact. Equally Fayemi and Louisa, (1980), feel that being wrongly dressed for recreation, for instance, a game of tennis or football can be very uncomfortable and ridiculous. In the light of this, several authors (Peterson, 1977; Jaffe, 1979; Watkins, 1977; 1984; Dyson, 1971; Morchouse, 1971) have tried to provide criteria for the use f clothing in sports. An expressive standard is hereby given.

In cold environments, clothing should:

Be garment made of thick fabrics or wear several different garments that are layered over one another so that layers of air spaces are built up in a clothing ensemble. The thickness needed may vary a great deal with the physical activity of an individual and the body’s basic metabolic rate (BMR).
Allow air and water to circulate freely near the body surface so that body moisture vapour can pass off into environment and sweating can be avoided.
Absorb radiant energy from the environment and be non conductive so that the body heat is not conducted to the environment.
Allow freedom of movement (so that the metabolism can be increased through physical activity).
Keep the body core, torso and head warm so that it can send excess heat to the extremities.
Allow adjustable protection so that overheating which causes sweating can be prevented.

Gavin (2003), Noted that most reports do not support an effect of clothing fabric on thermoregulation in the cold; he however recorded reports demonstrating an effect and concluded that clothing construction does alter thermoregulation during and following exercise in the cold, where fishnet construction offers greater heat dissipation.

In warm environments, clothing should:

Provide minimum coverage or maximum ventilation of the body core.
Prevent extra physical effort that would increase metabolism.
Be white or light coloured so as to reflect the sun’s rays to aid convective cooling and evaporation of sweat, if exercising outdoors.
Be made of materials that can absorb sweat.
Such that would prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion.
Allow freedom of movement.

It is pertinent to note that in warm environments, additional clothing increases thermal insulation causing more rapid increases in temperature during exercise and imposes a barrier to sweat evaporation (Gavin, 2003).

Conclusion

Clothing remains a vital area in sports regardless of how heat acclimatized or hydrated athletes are. It is the area that has fashion designers as manufacturers, athletes and coaches as users and others concerned with movement studies in making participation in sports as safe as possible. Clothing in sports offers protection, comfort and mobility and to achieve these, individuals, athletes and coaches must have adequate knowledge of selection and usage and ensure optimal movement pattern.The conclusion is that while designing clothing in sports remains the sole preserve of the fashion designers, adequate knowledge of selecting and usage to ensure optimal movement pattern rests solely on the users.

References

Dejonge, J. O., Ayers, D. and Branson, D.  (1985). Pesticide deposition patterns on garments during air blast field spraying. Home Economics Research Journal 14, (2) 262 – 288.

Dyson, G. H. (1971). The mechanics of athletics. London: University of London Press.

Fayemi, P. O. and Lousa, G. (1980). Clothing and Textile: Home Economics for secondary schools, Teachers guide. Ibadan: Macmillan Nigeria Publishers.

Garrick, J. G. (1972). Prevention of sports injuries. Postgraduate Medicine 51, 125 – 129.

Gavin, Timothy P (2003), Clothing and Thermoregulation during Exercise.Sports Medicine. 33(13):941-947,

Jaffe, H. (1979). Children wear designs. New York: Fairchild Publication.

Middlemas, M. (1967). Care for your dress. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

Morehouse, C. A. (1971). Sports research institute. Journal of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. 42, 31 – 35.

Peterson, J. A. (1977). Conditioning for a purpose: The West Pint Way. New York: Leisure Press.

Watkins, S. M. (1977). The design of protective Equipment for Ice Hockey. Home Economics Research Journal. 5, (3) 154 – 166.

Watkins, S. M.  (1984). Clothing: The portable Environment. Iowa: Iowa University  Press.

Future or career are the terms, which has been the top priority of every student. Whether it’s today’s time or ages back, to have a flourishing career have always been the aim of every human being. The journey from school to college in India is really tough and a student has to be very cautious while taking decisions related to his career. It is very important for the student to take an intelligent decision while choosing a career for himself, because these are the steps which attribute to the achievement of his success.

The career choices for students have always been overpowered by the dream careers of their parents. These options generally range from opting for courses in engineering, medicine, computer sciences, law, language, business management, etc. But these choices are hardly of the interest of the students, the direction in which they would want their life to move on. Careers in sports, music, and dance can merely be seen even as an option given by the parents to students. According to them career in sports is not worth and the children generally waste their time by attending the classes for sports education.

But today the times have changed and career in sports has started being considered as a very valuable profession, which has the capability to make a student reach his dream destination. One can find a number of students opting for career in sports, in their respective fields of interest. The sports fields like cricket, hockey, badminton, chess, has certainly gained importance in today’s time. This is also because of the implementation of the concept of globalization in almost every field. The global acceptance of the Indian players has paved the route for other students for having a flourishing career in sports. To give a boost to the sports career, government has started many training institutes and sports colleges in India. These colleges provide training to students in the sports field of their choice. Some of the colleges for sports in India are:

v     BPCAS College of Physical Education, Mumbai

v     Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Delhi

v     Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar

v     University of Delhi

v     Dhyan Chandra Sports College, Lucknow

v     University of Madras, Tamil Nadu

v     Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore

v     Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

v     Degree College of Physical Education, Gujarat

v     Rajasthan Mahila Physical Teachers Training Vidyalaya, Udaipur

Also, with the commencement of different games in India, the importance and acceptance of sports as a career has increased to a lot. The career growth and the financial status of a sports person is touching heights these days, due to which more number of students can be seen getting enrolled in the sports career. A student can opt for career in sports in any of the fields of his interest which can range from cricket to football, chess to carom, volleyball to football or hockey to table tennis. There are many professions which can be opted by the students, after doing graduation or post graduation courses in sports. Most of the students prefer doing graduation in physical education, to have good understanding about the sports field and how they can keep themselves fit and healthy. Following is a list of professions, which are generally opted by people, who do not actually practice the game on field or professional athletes:

v     Coaches for the professional players, college coaches, or volunteers

v     Instructors for martial arts, driving or swimming

v     Career in sports management or administration

v     Career in Sports journalism in any of the media forms, whether its print, radio or television

v     Career in sports medicine, such as, athletic therapist, sports physician, etc.

v     Sports photographer

v     Sports psychology consultant

Thus, one can surely hope for a positive growth and a prospering career in the sports field. Sports Colleges in India has come up with great facilities and infrastructure for imparting better education to its students, which again adds to the factor of growth for the Indian sports persons.