by rocktapeuk | Aug 29, 2017 | Uncategorised
Hey! I’m Jackie Narracott, Australia’s top ranked Skeleton athlete. This year is my biggest yet preparing for the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, KOR. For 6 months of the year I work 30 hours a week on top of full time training and for the other 6 months I travel the world going headfirst down a mountain faster than you can legally drive a car. Training at this time of year consists of lots of sprinting, lifting and pushing a dry land sled. The whole aim of summer training is to get us as fit and fast as possible for the season ahead. I’m pleased to say that so far so good for me this year. Obviously with pushing our bodies as hard as we do little niggles show up from time to time. For me, it’s constant shin splints from being on my feet all day. Also this year I’ve tweaked my shoulder and my calf. Thankfully I’ve got Rocktape to keep me going. I don’t think there’s been a running session since May that I haven’t done with my shins taped. It’s what works when all the icing, compression and self massage aren’t enough. It got me through last year and it’s gotten me through again this year. Additionally this year I’ve used it to help treat my shoulder and calf. I’ve always used it on muscles to relax and support them but my shoulder was the first time I’ve used it for structural support. The difference it made was huge. We only had to modify a couple of sessions because it calmed it down and held it...
by rocktapeuk | Aug 23, 2017 | Uncategorised
One of the products that people are a little hesitant of is Kinesiology tape, we thought we would ask our exhibitor Rock Tape to give us a little insight into what it is and some basics on using it. Paul Coker is the Medical Director of Rocktape UK, an experienced Physiotherapist and very average ultra/trail runner. Here is his lowdown on all things kinesiology tape. WHAT IS KINESIOLOGY TAPE? Kinesiology tape is an elastic tape made of tightly woven elasticated cotton (97%) and nylon (3%) fibres. The glue on the tape is acrylic, highly durable and waterproof so tape can be worn for up to a week withstanding vigorous movement, sweat and total emersion in water. When applied in a vaguely correct manner research has shown that tape can lead to various positive changes including less pain, improved movement, and better muscular endurance and recovery. Rocktape is premium brand of tape specifically designed to meet the demands of athletes. WHAT ITS NOT The tape does not contain any medication or drugs. Different colours are cosmetic only, all colours of tape have the same elasticity and therefore benefits. Tape is not a replacement for sensible injury management and thorough rehab. If you are in doubt about what causes your pain or you have a pain that’s not getting better go see an experienced, qualified therapist/professional. WHAT ARE RUNNING RELATED NIGGLES Most common running injuries are broadly overuse injuries. They come on gradually over time as a result of the cumulative load and repetitive impact. If a certain bit of tissue like the Achilles tendon or kneecap is asked to absorb...
by rocktapeuk | Aug 11, 2017 | Uncategorised
Never give up!!! A mantra passed on from one friend to another. Something that has shaped the last few years of my life and three words that I’ll never forget. How have those words changed my life and me as a person? 12 months and 54 days ago (10th August) the world lost a selfless character, who’s attitude was always ‘Never give up!’ My friend Chris sadly passed after an 8 year battle with Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer). His journey wasn’t one about feeling sorry for himself, more living his life to the fullest potential. I think deep down he probably always knew he’d never outlive cancer but never took a backward step. After having to have his leg amputated at 15, he felt fortunate having the opportunity to play wheelchair basketball for GB. Never feeling sorry for himself he tried new treatments not necessarily to save his own life but to undergo new treatment that may save someone else’s. He wanted to do that to give others hope that there is a cure! That positivity is something I feel that I needed to continue! So after Coast 2 Coast two years ago and Ironman last year it was time for some thing that was equally big to honor a one in a million! 1,000,000 metres! That’s 10k a day for 100 days! Whilst running 10k for 100 days after doing an Ironman to some people may sound easy, it’s a whole different ball game. No rest days. Constant pain management. No way out! Day 54 today though and I feel great. Touch wood everything has gone pretty well, I...
by rocktapeuk | Jul 24, 2017 | Uncategorised
The recent World Transplant Games in Malaga, Spain, resulted in an outstanding performance by the British team who came home with a total of 360 medals – 166 of them Gold! The Team also won the award for the outstanding team of the Games which measures medals per competitor. Alison Bloxham has been providing Physio support to the British Team for 16 years now and along with her team of Physios and Sports Therapists this year were looking after 175 athletes (including 20 Juniors). The World Transplant Games is the 3rd largest international multi-sport event after the Olympics and Paralympics but does not receive any of the Government funding associated with the big 2. As a result, all the athletes and the Management team must raise the funds to attend and the Physio support is no exception. All of the costs for the Physio team was raised through public fund-raising efforts and kit sponsorship was a key part of this. In 2015, a chance conversation between Paul Coker and Alison (who already used RockTape in her private practice in Kendal) led to Paul kindly offering to donate some UK flag Rocktape and over the past 2 years she has utilised this at both National and International events. This year the Team used more than ever as the skills of the Physio team in taping has improved and the athletes have become more and more informed about its use. Not only do the athletes love the UK flag motif but they are also more and more convinced of its efficacy and those who initially dismissed it as a bit of...
by rocktapeuk | Jul 21, 2017 | Uncategorised
Three weeks ago today, we Great Britain Women’s American Football were on a recovery day from playing Canada in round 2 in the IFAF American football Women’s World Championships. With the bronze medal match versus Mexico in two days time, the key is recovery. As Lead Sports Therapist, the therapy team and I have a busy time during tours to ensure all atheletes stay at peak performance, and with 3 games in 6 days, it’s not the easiet of jobs due to the nature of the sport. The morning started with a foam rolling session, followed by three hours of treatments to ensure all players were seen. Using a variety of treatments including massage and myofascial cupping using RockRub, and lymphatic drainage taping using Rocktape (Union Jack print of course!). The afternoon consisted of active recovery during walk-throughs, with the day finishing with team stretch and pilates. Team GB were based at Trinity Western University in Langley, BC then training and playing at the McCleod stadium. With 41 players and 17 members of staff, team GB travelled in bulk for the 10day tour to fight for their world seeding. The team finished fourth in the world, now sitting first in Europe and the first team outside of North America, we couldn’t be prouder to be British. At 25, I never imagined to be where I am today. My journey in American football started five years ago, whilst I was just about to go into my third year at university. A few of my friends played American football and they needed a sports therapist. I started my placement with the...
by rocktapeuk | Jul 17, 2017 | Uncategorised
My story: I’m Stephen Jarvis and I live in St Austell Cornwall. I had my kidney transplant in 2004 and since took up athletics. In 2016 I took part in the British transplant Games, Liverpool, where I qualified for the World transplant games, competing in 100m, 200m, 400m, high jump and both relays. It’s been a really hard year having to train extra to get my fitness up and above normal, more to do with having a back issue. My cartilage had worn away between my L1 and S1 vertebrae putting pressure on my nerves running down both legs, causing pain and discomfort (part and parcel of having immunosuppressive drugs). In March 2017 I had 2 facet joint injections in my back, one worked, the other made it worst down my left leg. Every session had become painful. Determined to make it I pushed on. In June 2017 I had to compete, the pressure was on. The GB team physio had nothing to help and had run out of ideas. She then came up with a thought to try RockTape over night before the race. I woke up in the morning pain free for first time in months. New RockTape was then applied for my races. I felt so good it was like having a new leg. Smashing 4 world records and 6 gold medals later I’m sold! I couldn’t have ran or felt any better. It simply removed the nerve pain I had for last 4 months competing and enabled me to run my perfect race. And to top this I was the 4th fastest British athlete this year for my...
by rocktapeuk | Jun 19, 2017 | Interviews, Rocktape Kinesiology Tape
Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Hi I’m Ricardo, I’m a psychology lecturer at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, which is in Scotland, UK. I was a former international triple jumper, till a severe knee injury last year. How did your track & field career begin? When/how did you get into jumping? Originally I was a basketball player, I used to do extra sessions with our speed, agility, quickness coach, Dr. Nikolai Böhlke, who also worked in Talent ID. Dr Böhlke noticed I had an aptitude for jumping events and coached me in high, long and triple jump. With some guidance from Nick Dakin I was lucky enough to work with some of the best jumps coaches in the world including Dr. Filipe Conceição, Terry Lomax, Emily Parker and finally Tom Crick. I practiced everyday (and sometimes twice a day) with all my coaches, and value their effort in getting me from never having tried a jump event, to an international standard. What do most people not realize about training for competitive jumping? People probably don’t realize that we rarely jump in training. I took part in a study led by Dr. Sam Allen, where he modeled my triple jump technique and calculated that in the landing of the hop phase I had to deal with forces of up to 22 times my bodyweight. That kind of impact means full approach triple jump is sparingly practiced in training. Though we often practice short approach triple jump, sprinting and plyometrics. What are your greatest achievements? I’ve won the British University Championships several times, thanks to excellent support from Loughborough University....
by rocktapeuk | Jun 7, 2017 | Uncategorised
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@MSD_Prosportmassage April 29th, 30th and May 1st Perranporth Beach, Cornwall The English National Surfing Championships have always been a highlight of the national surfing calendar, and this year was to be no different. Having been recently appointed as the head of Health and Fitness for Surfing England, this was a great opportunity for me to work with Surfing England and spend some time with the management and the surfers. Now it would not be an English bank holiday weekend if we did not have the typical English weather, from one extreme to another. That is exactly what we experienced. We arrived late on the Thursday night and checked into our caravan at the Perran Sands Resort. We headed to the to contest site first thing Friday morning. greeted with beautiful sunshine it was the ideal weather to set up our brand new easy up tent and treatment area. The waves were not great at this time, but the afternoon saw enough size for the contest to get udnerway. The slow start to the contest allowed me to treat several surfers before their heats. It is a common miss conception that surfing is soft on the body, on the contrary it is very physically demanding and we come across all kinds of injuries and muscular skeletal issues. The level of surfing at this event was very high, so it is easy to see how intense the demand on the body is. With the high performance aggressive manoeuvres being performed by the elite surfers, a lot of stress and impact is going through the hips and lower limbs. This...
by rocktapeuk | May 24, 2017 | Uncategorised
Trail running has a ton of benefits for practitioners of the sport, as well as some unique challenges and injuries. Probably the main problem trail runners face is an acute ankle sprain, and taping may help prevent sprains and can certainly be helpful in the aftermath. Of course, trail runners are just as prone to the chronic knee and hip problems other runners face, too. Uneven terrain makes falls more prevalent and gives trail runners a higher need to protect their lower legs, especially, and doing so also helps with those tight single-track sections that may put you in proximity to thorny plants or all our “poisonous” friends like ivy, elm and oak. Protecting your shins and lower legs from these sorts of plants as well as protecting them from falls or scrabbles over fallen trees, rocks and other obstacles is the domain of RockTape’s excellent RockGuards shin protectors. Originally designed to help CrossFit athletes protect their shins during deadlifts, box jumps and rope climbs, RockGuards were quickly adopted by obstacle course racers and trail runners alike. RockGuards offer a lightly padded, highly protective front side that will take pretty hard impacts from obstacles or falls while running. The back is a breathable mesh that doesn’t hold water, so you’ll stay cooler than you would with a full running pant/tight. RockGuards also have zippers so, depending on your footwear, you may be able to get them on and off over shoes. If not, wearing them for a full run is a heck of a lot better than scratched, bashed shins or running into poison ivy and getting the post-run...
by rocktapeuk | May 23, 2017 | Uncategorised
This summer Libby Kerr and Lisa Trollope are attempting a continuous round of the Munros (all the mountains in Scotland over 3,000 feet). We’ll be summiting all 282 mountains, cycling between them and throwing in a little bit of kayaking. This will involve 1,000 miles of running, 1,000 miles of cycling and 149,000m ascent -17 x the height of Everest (eek!)! This feat has only been completed by three other women in the past with a fastest known time of 113 days. We plan to complete the challenge within 80 days, blogging and filming our adventure to inspire other women to get out into the mountains and to get active. Our first Munro will be Ben More on the Isle of Mull at the start of July and we’ll work our way around Scotland to end on Ben Hope in the north in mid September. This challenge is going to be tough on our bodies, and this is where RockTape comes in! Libby has experienced issues during training with her left knee during training. Her VMO muscle appears to be having a break and letting the rest of the quad muscle do all the work. She’s been trying to kick the VMO into action both with exercises and with RockTape H20 applied to the muscle to encourage it to activate. Much of the running will be across pathless hillside. Scree covered descents, grassy tussocks, thigh-high heather/gorse and uneven ground mean that there is a high potential to land awkwardly and ankles especially can take a battering on this sort of terrain. When muscles are tired this can easily lead...
