This continues a series of guest columns on how technology is reshaping hobbies and passions – basket weaving, rugby – whatever.
This time it is Larry Dignan at ZDNet who writes about rugby and all kinds of
other workouts.
I hurt all over just reading his column!
"I have two screws in my reconstructed knee, a quarter of an ACL left, a meniscus that's been repaired, a bolt in my shoulder and a couple herniated disks in my neck. And that's just the short version.
Luckily, I'm a gym rat---or I'd fall apart. Technology enables me to continue working out on less than perfect parts.
In fact, technology may be the reason I can continue to work out. For instance, my first knee reconstruction---an unhappy triad of an ACL, MCL and meniscus tear---came at a very fortunate time because arthroscopic surgery was just becoming popular. The guy that gave me a second opinion wanted to gut my knee from thigh to shin. No thanks.
Let's hear it for technological advancements like arthroscopic surgery.
Later I managed to get seven years of rugby out of that knee with some help of another great technological advancement: Neoprene. I wore so much of it toward the end of my rugby adventure I would have been better off just wearing a wetsuit.
Everywhere you look technology has altered the course of working out.
Here's a look at a few technology advancements related to health and fitness:
The running shoe: Remember those Converse Chuck Taylor All
Stars? Today those kicks are fashion statements. Back in the day people used to
actually run on them. Chances are pretty good those folks can't walk on them.
Give me the cushion to make up for my cartilage. Just compare and contrast those
vintage Chuck Taylors compared to the ASICs Gel Kayano 15.
Nutritional knowhow: A few decades ago muscle heads thought getting protein meant drinking a bunch of raw eggs. Today we know that a year's worth of cholesterol can kill you. Just think about all the things we know about when it comes to nutrition: We know about trans-fats. We know about the carb-protein balance. We know more about just about everything. The bad news: Few Americans listen.
Apparel: Clearly workout apparel---sweat wicking gear and shorts designed to keep those hamstrings from popping---has improved. This advancement means you don't get bogged down with heavy sweaty clothes when running. Out of all the advancements this could be the one that's most questionable. Sometimes a good old fashioned cotton shirt works.
Gadgets: There are so many gadgets available for working out that sometimes it's mind boggling. The biggest advancements for me: The heart rate monitor watch; GPS running companions and the trusty iPod shuffle. All are must haves if you really want to calculate how far you're going and how hard you're working. The iPod is a must have---the Nike integration thing is optional---the heart rate monitor is handy. As for the GPS you could just measure out your mileage in the car and sometimes it's nice to get lost.
Workout equipment: Go to any gym and you'll find all sorts of technological advancements for workout equipment. Treadmills have TVs embedded. Weight machines can get pretty fancy too, but in the end you can't beat the old school iron that was being tossed around in the 1950s.
Knee and hip replacements: Those artificial hip and knee joints are really coming around. In fact, these devices are enabling many older weekend warriors continue their workouts. They'll become more important as Baby Boomers age. My hope: Artificial knees will be perfected by time I need one.
The list could go on and on, but you get the idea. Technology has infiltrated your workouts and you probably barely realize it."
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