Covid and Sports

You just thought that this Covid thing was gone. The most skeptical of us didn’t think that a year later we would still be fighting this thing. I heard a report yesterday that more people had died the day before than the worst day in September. I’m not sure how accurate that is but clearly, Covid is still with us.

It’s wreaking havoc on March Madness. College basketball’s crown event is not nearly the event it has always been. Teams that maybe should have made the tournament didn’t. UT’s inconsistency can, in part, be attributed to the pandemic.

Now they’re in the national championship tournament. And it is anything but business as usual. For one thing, the teams are totally isolated. Can you imagine being cooped up in a hotel room in Indianapolis and the only time you can come out is for practice and games? That’s a nightmare for a college kid.

Already one set of officials have been sent home after one tested positive. It would come as a surprise to no one if one or more teams in the tournament suffered an end to their season for the same reason.

There is no doubt that Covid has had a huge impact on the college basketball regular season as well. Baylor was dominating everyone until not one but two pauses in their season because of Covid. Sometimes it’s the lucky teams that advance.

The high school spring sports season is off to a tenuous start. No one knows what will happen. The abrupt end to last year’s spring sports season is an all too fresh memory.

One of Mark Eldridge’s best teams was denied the opportunity to contend for a state championship.  Same thing for Jeff Sherman’s Heritage softball team. It took great effort to maintain any consistency during the high school basketball seasons. You never knew who was going to be available on any given night.

Baseball and softball teams are already behind because their seasons and summer leagues were both cancelled last year. All the while, teams are working hard to stay safe and Covid-free.

Youth leagues were impacted as well. I haven’t seen any of my grandchildren play sports in quite some time. Parents and siblings could attend games but grandparents could not (until more recently).

Sports as we know them have been changed. Yet, we have this burning desire to return to some sense of normalcy in our sports. That’s why you see conflicts all around the country about Covid safeguards.

Should we open up our games and events? I struggle with that one. I believe that our kids need sports. I believe that with all my heart. But open up without restrictions or precautions? No, not at all.

Are we going to get through this pandemic only to face another? There is a very real possibility of that. So why not just go ahead and open everything up now? Certainly, there is some assumed risk with walking out your front door.

That’s all well and good until it is one of your own family members that becomes infected. Then the game is changed.

We need to do everything we can to defeat Covid today. And then dedicate ourselves to better health practices and to continued research on the best ways to treat this and any other pandemic that comes along.

That means that wear your mask, wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face, and go home if you feel sick.

It means that being physically fit, eating well, and practicing good health habits are more important than ever, because we know that the healthier you are, the more likely you are to beat this and other diseases.

It means that you should get vaccinated. As soon as the vaccination became available, I was there. You should do the same. We need a team effort to defeat this thing.

What did you learn?

When you worked at something really, really hard but didn’t make it, what did you learn? When you worked and worked and didn’t win the game, what did you take away from it?

For pretty much every sport that’s out there, your last game is most likely a loss. At the end of the football season, only one team ends the season with a win—the state champion.  Basketball, definitely the same way.

And everyone works hard. I don’t know any team that doesn’t put in the effort. Sure, some put more effort into it than others, but everybody works hard.

I can remember one time several years ago when a football coach dropped by football practice at Maryville High School.  That’s not unusual, particularly late in the season and especially when the playoffs have started.

One of my unknown jobs is to check out any visitors. Don’t get me wrong, MHS practices are generally open and visiting coaches are welcomed with open arms.

But you don’t really want a scout from this week’s opponent getting too close to practice.  So, I always introduce myself and subtly find out who they are and why they’re there. It’s a pleasant part of the job. I get to meet all kinds of new people.

On this particular occasion, the coach was from a school not too far away.  His question was a common one: “What sets Maryville apart?”

I’ve gotten that same question for years.  The answer is elusive and I’m not going to go into that right now. I get the same question about Alcoa football.

But this coach asked a question that I found a bit odd.  He asked “how many of your kids do you get in summer workouts?” Hmmmm. Uh, all of them.

His program was good but not great. I asked him the same question. “About half.” Really? Only about half? If you don’t participate in summer workouts around here, you aren’t on the team.

But that’s only about half the point. In the face of a season that will quite possibly end in a loss, what is all the effort worth? The winter workouts, the hot summers, the long preseason. Is it worth it?

Let me jump to one conclusion really quickly—ABSOLUTELY YES. 

The opportunity to compete, to test yourself against a worthy opponent.  The thrill of victory. The joy of being a part of a team. Being able to express yourself physically. 

All those things and more make sports important, even essential. But the most important part of sports participation may be the lessons learned.

As Douglas MacArthur once said, “on the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days, on other fields will bear the fruits of victory.”

So, you must ask yourself, What did I learn? What do I take away from my sports participation? What will I do with it?

I’ve heard a number of coaches make the statement “don’t let this be the best thing you ever do.” What did those lessons teach you? And what are you going to do with what you learned?

My Why

 What are you looking for when you stop at this space?  News about the sports world? Advice for injuries? Ideas for how to be healthier? Or happier?

I really don’t know exactly when I started writing this column. It was about 1986, when Gary Turner was the Sports Editor. That’s 35 years. I really never thought about much beyond the next column back then. Still don’t.

At first, it was called The Jock Doc. That was Gary’s idea. Somewhere along the way, columns quit having catchy names like that. I can’t say I was disappointed. I caught some grief for that title.

In the early days, it was almost always about injuries. Then I discovered I couldn’t write about sprained ankles, concussions, and dealing with the heat but so many times before I started repeating myself. That’s not to say I haven’t repeated myself. I’m sure I have.

At an average of about 800 words each, times 52 weeks a year, times 35 years…that’s almost a million and a half words. Every English teacher I ever had just rolled over in their grave.

Somewhere along the way, I branched out into a lot of other issues. I’ve avoided politics and religion but if you read between the lines, you’ve probably noticed something about both of those from time to time.

So, why have you made it this far?

Ok, let’s talk about my why. I’m a teacher at heart. My first college degree was in education. I believe an important part of my job as a physical therapist and athletic trainer is to teach.

I teach my patients how to deal with their orthopedic issues.  I teach them how to move. I teach them exercise and activities that they can do.

I’m probably a preacher at heart. Once upon a time, I thought I might want to be a preacher. I believe I was 12 and involved with Youth Day at my church. My Mom was thrilled at that prospect. That didn’t work out.

I’ve been accused of preaching in this space. OK. Probably. I’ve tried to preach without being preachy. My sermon is about how to be healthier. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and, maybe as a by-product, spiritually.

I probably should have been a cheerleader. Goodness knows that I’ve been accused of that by my words in this space. It’s just that I’ve never wanted to be negative about things. About life. I’ve always wanted to be a positive influence in everything I do.

That’s why I would never tell a kid what they can’t do with their life. I believe in dreaming big and then chasing those dreams.

That’s why I like to keep it real. That’s why my diet advice is tempered by the fact that food should be one of life’s delights. That a good cheeseburger with Benton’s bacon is meant to be enjoyed from time to time. Or that anything with cream cheese on it is worthy.

I will never understand smoking and I always try to offer effective tools for dealing with obesity but I will never hate based on those things.

My why?  To share what I’ve learned about sports and life and living. To inspire, encourage, and create reflection. To help you live a happier and more active life. To admit to the mistakes I’ve made and to point out the heroes among us.

That’s all.

Good People doing Good Stuff

I’m going to start a new thread to my space here.  I’m going to start throwing in a piece on local heroes.  Not every week but from time to time.

Maybe it should be called Good Folks doing Good Things. It isn’t likely to be celebrities or sports stars or that sort of thing. I just want to see where it takes me. This community has a lot of really good people that don’t get much recognition.

Yes, I know this is the sports page and I can’t get away from sports, fitness, or being healthy, and this is likely to be an underlying theme to all that. Or maybe not. Like I said, I’m just going to throw it out there and see where it takes me.

It all started with my friend, Kenny Wiggins. I was just thinking what a great guy Kenny is, what a good friend he is to many, and what his journey has been. And it came to me that he was an unsung hero in our community. 

Let me tell you about Kenny.  Not too long ago he retired as Public Services Director for the city of Alcoa. That’s maybe not a really flashy job but believe me that you would know it if Kenny didn’t do his job.

I had met Kenny through the years but really didn’t know him well. Then his son-in-law, who worked in our fitness center, suggested that I invite him to work out with an early morning crew that I led.

Kenny had no trouble with the early hour (5 AM) and such began a several year stretch of working out three days a week. Along the way, he invited a church-mate that I knew well, David Henderson. 

David, who is a Detective with the Sherriff’s Department had played football at Maryville High in my early days in serving MHS.  Throw in my original workout partner David Spence and you had a quartet of dedicated early morning exercisers. And Peggy Bratt.  Can’t forget Peggy.

I’m not sure Kenny was ever an athlete but his daughter Katie was.  She played softball in high school and later coached softball at Alcoa High.  His son-in-law Caleb was an outstanding wrestler at MHS and later brought CrossFit to east Tennessee. 

I think it was Katie that convinced her dad that he needed to exercise regularly. That was years ago. We sweated and struggled and chased this thing called fitness together without interruption for a very long time.

I stepped away from that group about three years ago to workout with my son at noon but that hasn’t stopped Kenny. Now retired, he’s just as dedicated to his fitness as he ever was. I often find him already at the gym when I arrive. He’s here just about every day.

Through these years, Kenny has become very fit and then has maintained an excellent level of fitness. His dedication and perseverance are worthy.

He hikes. He bikes. He maintains an active lifestyle. And because of his exercise habits, he is likely to do so for many, many years.

But back to who Kenny is, not what he’s done.  Kenny is simply a good man. A good friend. A doting grandfather. A man of Faith. You might call him ordinary but he is anything but.

He’s quiet, definitely never loud or flashy. He’s likely to be embarrassed by this.  But he’s just one really great guy that makes up the fabric of Blount County.  An unsung hero that helps make this a great place to be.

Do you Care?

 If you read my blog, you might know that it is usually my weekly newspaper column.  After it is in The Daily Times on Sunday, I put it onto my blog and then share it through Twitter and Facebook.  I’m not much into social media but I use those two because of the distribution.  It’s about the only way to let folks know that I’ve posted something new.

Sometimes, I am compelled to write something that might not be totally appropriate for my newspaper column. It’s not that I avoid anything controversial—I just see my newspaper column as a tool to teach, a vessel to be uplifting and positive. To talk about sports and athletes and health and fitness.

Leaving the clinic today, I just had a realization that is highly personal and probably not OK for the newspaper.  Not because it’s controversial or anything and it’s not about politics or religion, two of the topics that I faithfully avoid. I do have (strong) opinions on both of those and if we are ever together and sharing an adult beverage, ask me and I’ll tell you.

It’s just too personal and maybe someone would even see it as self-serving if it is published and distributed to roughly 120,000 people.  This way, you can choose to read it or simply turn the page (as it may be).

Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think my opinion on those things will influence anyone. Now, if I’m talking about sports and injuries and those sorts of things, folks might listen.  They might even listen if I’m pontificating on how to be healthy and happy.

Republican/Democrat, Conservative/Liberal---you really don’t want my opinion.  You might want to know what my opinion is so that you can convince me that I’m right/wrong.  Same thing with religion. What I think is unlikely to change who you vote for, what you believe, or how you live your life.

So back to the story that started this whole train of thought.  I had seen two patients at one of the ancillary clinics that we operate, this one in a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center.  Two really good guys but with really crappy insurance. 

Let me step back just a bit. I’m doing this thing called StoryWorth for my daughter.  Each week, I get a question to answer, mostly about my life. It gives you the chance to look ahead at coming questions (and create your own) so I know that in a couple of weeks, those folks are going to ask me “what is the meaning of life?”

I don’t know…to love, to serve, to live a life that is a single drop in the ocean of life’s millennium? I’m not sure how I’m going to answer that question. Maybe, like my column, when the deadline looms I’ll come up with something, although I doubt that a realization of what is truly the meaning of life will arrive quite so on demand.

But today, after seeing a pair of patients that had tons of problems of their own and which I maybe didn’t have a lot to offer to, I realized that I care.

That’s it.  It really can be that simple.

I’ve been a physical therapist for over 43 years and an athletic trainer for most of that same time. And despite 4+ decades of clinical practice, I am probably a pretty decent physical therapist.

Oh, if you don’t know what’s wrong with you, I’m probably the guy you need to see. And if you’re injured in a sporting event, I’m probably the person you want to see next.

As far as a physical therapy skillset, I’m about like everybody else. No better, no worse. But there is that one difference—I care.

Theodore Roosevelt has been quoted as saying “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I think I am the personification of that.

So, here’s the message, young PT’s:  Make sure that they know that you are committed to understanding where they are. Make sure that they know that you are an active participant in why they showed up on your doorstep. Make sure that they know that they are going to get everything that you have-your best every moment of every day. Make sure that the patient in front of you knows that you care.

If you do that…if you genuinely care for them as a person…then the rest of this stuff is easy.

And maybe that’s the meaning of life. Maybe that’s why we were put here. To care for others. To genuinely, deeply be concerned for the wellbeing of everyone that you encounter.

Good shape for the shape you're in...

Long ago, I had an older patient (probably no older than I am now) tell me “whatever you say, don’t tell me that I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in.”

He didn’t want to know that he was OK, considering where he was. He wanted to be OK, regardless of what he was going through.

His health wasn’t good. He was diabetic and a life-long smoker. He wasn’t obese—anything but.  He was maybe 5’7” and 150 pounds. I don’t remember why he was in the hospital but my job was to get him moving again.

For some reason, that has always stuck with me. And I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone “you’re in good shape…for the shape you’re in!”

I’ve learned that you have to go where the other person is. Your goals for them are meaningless. It’s their goals that matter.

So, what shape do you want to be in? Keep in mind that people come in all shapes.  Short, tall.  Round, thin. All shapes. People bring all sorts of problems to the table.

I saw a fellow this week. 33 years old, 230 pounds. Broad shoulders. Back pain. He thinks he needs to lose 50 pounds, to take him back to his weight when he was in the Army. I told him that if he weighed 180, he’d probably be in the hospital.

Maybe it’s a matter of being careful what you ask for. The short person wants to be taller. The heavy person wants to be skinny. On and on and on.

How about this—focus on the things that make you healthy. That 33 year old with back pain? He needs better core strength. He needs better stress management strategies. He needs regular cardiovascular boosting activities.

Simply losing weight will not help him at all yet he thought that weight loss would fix all his problems. Maybe he needs to lose weight, maybe he doesn’t. The bottom line is that he is a big guy…he will never be a little guy.

Six pack abs? OK, maybe that’s what you want but what does that do for you? Does that help you feel better? Does it help you not hurt? Does it help you live longer?

I tell people all the time “stay away from the scales.”  My advice is to eat better and exercise daily. Do those things and your weight will find what it needs to be.

I’m stuck at 195 pounds. As a bicycle rider, that’s not good. I know that I could climb hills better at 175. But I eat smart and exercise every single day. I enjoy food and refuse to starve myself.

So I’m stuck at the back of the pack when we get to a hill. And I’m OK with that. I’ve accepted my body for what it is and, maybe more importantly, accepted the fact that I’m not willing to do what is necessary to get down to 175 just to climb hills on my bicycle faster.

Some might say I’m in pretty good shape for a man of my age. That’s not what is important. Am I doing the things that are necessary to stay healthy and live long? I hope so.

But don’t tell me I’m in good shape for the shape I’m in.

Shoulder Plague

Shoulder problems continue to plague us.  A lot of the blame goes on the widespread usage of computers.  So many jobs these days require us to sit too long at a computer.  More on that in a minute.

The vast majority of shoulder problems that I see are impacted by posture.  One of the first things I do when I evaluate someone with shoulder problems is to look at them from the front. 

When I look at them, do I see the back of their hands?  I look at them from the side. Are their shoulders inturned? I look at them from the back. Are their shoulder blades farther away from the spine than they need to be?

That’s the postural component that I’m talking about. So much of our world is in front of us these days. It’s not just the computers but a lot of the other things that we do, the way we spend our lives.

If you have shoulder pain, you may hear the term “impingement.” That’s a fancy word for “pinching” and has to do with the rotator cuff.

A little anatomy lesson. The rotator cuff is a group of flat, small muscles that surround the head of the humerus (the upper arm bone) and are essential to normal shoulder movement and function.

That postural component that I talked about earlier allows the head of the humerus to sit in the front of the shoulder joint, impinging on the rotator cuff. That hurts. If you ignore it long enough, impingement can lead to other, bigger problems.

So, for those of you that sit at a computer all day, you’ve got to take breaks. At least every 15 minutes, step away from the computer, stretch your arms backward, relax, shake, and then go back to it. That doesn’t take but 15-20 seconds and your work will still get done.

Another thing that I see on a regular basis is a shoulder problem that is caused by improper strength training form or misguided focus in the strength training program.

Bad form needs to be corrected by a strength coach.  The best advice does not come from your friend or from the guy down the street with big muscles.  Look for experts in the field and then listen to them.

I see way too much focus on the anterior chest and the front of the shoulders. I must admit that I’m not a big fan of the bench press.  I know it has its place but it gets way too much attention.

Particularly among young lifters, what’s the first question one asks another?  “How much can you bench?” It is their measuring stick when they should be more focused on performance and on a whole body exercise like power cleans.

There is no doubt that some athletes need the bulk and power that comes from lifts like the bench press, but over four decades of experience in this field tells me clearly that it is the source of shoulder problems in far too many people—people who really have no need for a big chest.

Same thing for the biceps. “Curls for girls” has been a motto since I was young. Focus on the biceps without similar focus on the triceps does nothing for performance or injury prevention.

Don’t get me wrong—strength training is essential, not just in athletic performance but in staying healthy. Unless you are a competing athlete, strength training is more important in your 40’s, 50’s, and older than it is in your 20’s.  You lose significant amounts of muscles mass as you get older and to combat the bad sides of aging, you need regular strength training.

That doesn’t mean just to hit the gym and do what sounds good. There are tons of local people that really know how to help you to better health through the weight room. Use them.