December 3, 2008

Well now a new genetic test claims to determine what kind of athletic activities are best suited to the talents of toddlers. It seemed only a matter of time before someone  developed some test to try and predict a child’s future athletic strengths.

Playing into the obsession of parents, Colorado-based Atlas Sports Genetics is offering an at-home test ($150) that aims to predict a child’s natural athletic strengths. The process is simple. Swab inside the child’s cheek and along the gums to collect DNA and return it to a lab for analysis of ACTN3, one gene among more than 20,000 in the human genome.

The test’s goal is to determine whether a person would be best at speed and power sports like sprinting or football, or endurance sports like distance running, or a combination of the two. A 2003 study discovered the connection between ACTN3 and elite athletic performance.

The analysis takes two to three weeks, and the results arrive in the form of a certificate announcing Your Genetic Advantage, whether it is in sprint, power and strength sports; endurance sports; or activity sports (for those with one copy of each variant, and perhaps a combination of strengths). A packet of educational information suggests sports that are most appropriate and what paths to follow so the child reaches his or her potential.

Is there another way to determine if a child will be good at sprint and power sports? How about lining them up with their classmates for a race and see which ones are the fastest?

Or how about letting kids try different activities and determine on their own what they like and don’t like. Or discover, through trial and error, that even though they’re never going to make the cross-country team, they still enjoy running.

Of course factors like environment, training, and nutrition all play into the equation as well so it’s wise not to forget the importance of hard work as well as a bit of luck. Who honestly thinks one single gene is a predictor of athletic success?

Many experts fear that the test will be misused by parents who go overboard with the results and specialize their children too quickly. Most coaches agree that a child shouldn’t be put in a highly competitive environment until about the age of 8 to avoid burnout.

So what’s next? A test to determine artistic or musical ability? Or an accountant gene?  Would you take these tests or give them to your kids?

1. UNIFORM - Every sport has a competition uniform of some sort. For a swimmer, it may be just a team suit. For a gymnast, it is her team leotard, warm ups, white socks, white tennis shoes and her gym bag. Whatever your sport, be sure you have the team uniform clean and ready to go a few days in advance.

2. INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT - These are the little extras you may need at a meet like gymnastics grips, or goggles and a cap for swimmers, tennis racquet for a tennis player, or spikes for a sprinter. Whatever it may be, make sure it is packed in advance and if you have spares, be sure to bring them. If you don’t, I highly recommend picking up an extra in case something is broken, misplaced or just doesn’t feel right on competition day.

3. EXTRA T-SHIRT or CHANGE OF CLOTHES - After each gymnastics meet, my daughter’s team likes to go out to eat. We always pack a spare set of clothes so I don’t have to stress at meal time about her getting ketchup on her $100 team jacket or leotard. Many competitions sell meet shirts or have a pro shop on hand in the event you forget, but unless you have specifically budgeted for that extra expense, it is better to pack a change ahead of time.

(more…)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. Feb. 28, 2008

The Hall of Famer became the third women’s basketball coach to win 800 games, joining Pat Summitt and Jody Conradt, with No. 4 Rutgers’ 60-46 victory over DePaul on Wednesday night.

Everyone at the game was given signs marking the 800th victory, but the Scarlet Knights couldn’t start celebrating until the final minute. With 30 seconds left, fans gave Stringer a standing ovation and chanted her initials CVS. When the clock reached zero, senior Essence Carson threw her coach the game ball.

The following day, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced a Senate Resolution to honor Stringer.

Research all potential programs and if possible, meet with a representative and talk with past participants. Brochures, Websites and videos may also be reviewed to answer questions about activities, staff, supervision and facilities. If you’re deciding whether you’re ready to go away to a residential camp, start by asking yourself the following questions.

• Have you been away from home for more than one night without family members?
• Can you take care of your personal belongings?
• Can you care for your own basic hygiene needs, like brushing your teeth?
• Do you like the outdoors?
• Can you cope with unfamiliar people, places, and schedules?
• Do you enjoy making new friends?
• Do you like group situations?

(more…)

Type of Program: Whether a Summer or Holiday Camp, a weekly class, local league, week-end clinic, or adventure trip, most programs fall into several categories:

Residential Programs are generally for those age seven and older. Most are co-ed but there are many girls-only sessions. Resident programs offer varying accommodations such as dorms, cabins, or tents. Check to make sure the living quarters are comfortable and sanitary. Are there bathroom facilities and electricity? How does the staff deal with problems such as homesickness or conflicts with others? If applicable, what is the policy about food packages, letters home, TV, trips to town?

Day/Commuter Programs are similar to Residential programs but campers may enroll at a younger age and everyone returns home at the end of the day. Commuters usually take part in a resident program on a day basis at a pro-rated fee.
 

(more…)

Feb. 6, 2008 - The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) “Think Pink” initiative is a global, unified effort for coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond.

The WBCA began “Think Pink” in 2007 as an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women’s basketball, on campuses and in communities. In 2007, more than 120 schools unified for this effort and helped make the inaugural year of the WBCA’s “Think Pink” a success.

WBCA’s “Think Pink” 2008
The WBCA’s “Think Pink” week for 2008 will be held February 8 - 17. The NCAA has also joined the WBCA’s “Think Pink” initiative by implementing the “Calling for a Cure” campaign where all NCAA women’s basketball officials will be blowing a pink whistle February 8-17.

If you’re playing in, or attending, a game this week, be sure to join the effort.

By signing a National Letter of Intent, a prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the designated college or university for one academic year. Students are not required to sign the NLI on the first day of the signing period (commonly called “Signing Day” in the sport of football) but many do so to bring to an end the recruiting process.

Started in 1964 with seven conferences and eight independent institutions, the National Letter of Intent program now includes 55 leagues with more than 500 participating institutions. The program has many advantages to both prospective student-athletes and participating educational institutions:

For some athletes, the day is immortalized. When every girl on an Idaho club team committed to play soccer at the college of their choice, the players went to the Boise Capitals soccer complex to sign their letters of intent together. Three different news stations attended along with several broadcasting members from the respective high schools.

Others commemorate the event by signing in their school gym or library surrounded by friends and classmates. If you’re one of the lucky ones signing a LOI this month (or in the coming months) congratulations - your hard work and dedication has paid off!!

• The player has a high interest level in a particular sport and practices on her own or with friends

• The player is the best or one of the best on her team and seems bored with the recreational competition level

• The player sees higher-level players and wants to be like them

• The player is mature enough to commit to more frequent practices and more strenuous training

• The player likes competition

The rule of thumb is, let your gut guide you. Don’t push an athlete into trying out for a competitive team just because you want it. Some players are ready as early as age eight and some aren’t ready to move up until age 13 or 14.

Talk about the opportunity and gauge your or your child’s feelings about tryouts. There is always a risk that you/she won’t make the team. Find out what your/her commitment level is. Is the response, “If I don’t make the team, I’ll quit” or is it “If I don’t make the cut, I’ll find another team”?

An athlete should also understand that she is trying out by herself. Her best friend may not make the team. If she’s trying out because others want to, make sure she’s really ready. Sometimes a group or team wants to move up together. Some players may be ready while others aren’t. This situation often results in an unproductive and frustrating experience for both the players and the parents.

What will be asked of the player and the parents?

• Regular attendance at all practices and games. If a player cannot attend, she should notify the coach as soon as possible.

• Players need to arrive ON TIME.

• Proper attire. Higher-level athletes dress accordingly.

• Responsibility for equipment and uniforms. Players should learn to take care of their equipment and uniforms and bring them when required.

• Financial responsibility. Parents should budget in the extra costs and take care of expenses in a timely manner. Most teams present a list of costs to the team at the time of registration. Some teams get sponsorships and fundraising to provide financial help to some families or to help defray costs.

• Maintain standards of behavior. Players and parents must control their actions and words. The level of play in competition becomes more physical as players move through the age groups and skill levels. Players must learn to keep their emotions under control on the field. Parents must remain calm and allow the coaches to address any issues with players and referees.

• Have fun. Even though competitive teams emphasize league standings over fun, if players aren’t enjoying the sport anymore because of the pressure, it may be time to go back to recreational play.

The size of the program, number of session days, distance from home, and philosophy should all influence your decision. The cost, length, and type of a particular program are not necessarily connected with “results.” Research all potential programs and if possible, meet with a representative and talk with past participants.

Brochures, Websites and videos may also be reviewed to answer questions about activities, staff, supervision and facilities. If you’re deciding whether you’re ready to go away to a residential camp, start by asking yourself the following questions. (more…)