What Athletes Kneed: New Book Offers Program to Reduce ACL Injuries. “Protecting the Athlete’s Knee” is a Complete Guide to ACL Injury Prevention and Athletic Excellence
Brian Schiff and Brian Smith, licensed physical therapists and respected professional strength coaches, have developed a training program to decrease the likelihood of ACL injuries. This book is ideal for any athlete involved in jumping and cutting sports who wants to prevent a serious knee injury and maximize his/her athletic performance.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) May 19, 2005 -- Few in the sports world would disagree
that tearing an ACL is one of the most devastating injuries for any athlete.
But, for young female athletes in sports such as basketball and soccer, the
threat is even more real since they are seven to eight times more likely to
suffer an ACL injury than males.
Studies have shown,
however, that proper training such as the program outlined in the new book
“Protecting the Athlete’s Knee” can reduce the incidence of serious knee
injuries by 62 percent. The book is the brainchild of Brian Schiff and Brian
Smith, licensed physical therapists and certified strength and conditioning
specialists, who developed the book after working with hundreds of female
athletes suffering from serious sports-related injuries.
“With this manual we are able to teach coaches, parents and athletes all
over the world about our techniques and can hopefully reduce the likelihood of
these types of injuries,” said Schiff. “I have seen firsthand the emotional and
physical anguish that athletes go through from lost playing time and
scholarships. We are passionate about helping athletes reach their peak
potential and avoid injury.”
According to Schiff, the
95-page manual includes a self-testing procedure to assess risk level; effective
strengthening exercises to improve knee stability; safe jumping exercises to
teach proper landing form and increase power; running drills to improve starting
speed and acceleration; and an 8-week sample program.
Dr. Peter Edwards, Jr., M.D. at the Ohio Orthopedic Center of Excellence in
Columbus stressed that, with the present epidemic of ACL injuries – especially
in females – efforts must be centered on prevention. “Research has now shown
that programs such as this one can and do decrease the risk of ACL injury,” said
Edwards. “My own children have completed this program and they will repeat it
yearly.”
In addition to reducing ACL injuries, Schiff
added that the training model will also reduce common muscle strains, ligament
sprains, and overuse injuries associated with many sports that involve jumping
and cutting. Schiff and Smith are also founders of Fitness Edge Performance, a
performance enhancement company specializing in sport-specific training programs
for athletes of all sports and ages, and both are strength and conditioning
coaches for The Columbus Crew Major League Soccer Team in Ohio.
To order a copy of “Protecting the Athlete’s Knee”
for $49.99 or for more information, visit www.aclinjuryprevention.com.
Brian
Schiff, PT, CSCS, graduated from The Ohio State University in 1996 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy and has practiced as a licensed
physical therapist specializing in sports medicine for eight years. Through the
National Strength and Conditioning Association, Brian became a certified
strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) in 1998. He is a founding member of
The American Association of Personal Trainers and recently contributed to the
fitness books, “The Power of Champions” and “The Fitness Secrets of Championship
Golfers.” Schiff presents at professional conferences and coaches’ clinics on
topics including training for shoulder stability and sport-specific
training.
Brian Smith, PT, CSCS,
graduated from The Ohio State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Physical Therapy and has practiced as a licensed physical therapist
for seven years, primarily working in sports medicine clinics. Smith became a
certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) in 1998 through the
National Strength and Conditioning Association.. In addition, Smith is a golf
conditioning specialist who is a co-author of “The Fitness Secrets of
Championship Golfers” and has extensive experience designing golf-specific
exercise programs.
For more information on Fitness
Edge Performance, visit www.fitnessedgeperformance.com.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb241658.htm