Issue 1
May 2016
Rio Olympics Preview How Music Affects Sports How Not to get In Shape One of Rio De Janeiro landmarks near the city.
Public Domain
2
Table of Contents
Letter from the Editors Info from the Editors Reaching for Rio Music, Mind, and Sports By Any Means
Letter from the Editors We at Take Charge magazine commend your decision to pick up this issue of Take Charge. This means you’ve chosen to immerse yourself with quality articles and support. Take Charge is committed to helping you lead the healthiest life possible in an engaging and informative way. Some magazines are monotonous and repetitive. Take Charge’s many different topics about health and the fitness world will hold your attention. We hope you enjoy! Sincerely, The Editors
3
Editors Infomation Audrey Gilbert is a sophomore at Woodford County High School. She moved to Kentucky from Indiana when she was 12 years old. She has two younger sisters who she is fiercely protective of. She enjoys playing travel softball, attending Teen Court, Spanish club, and FCA. She hopes to pursue a career in either law or abnormal psychology. Health, fitness, and sports are important to her because her entire family is athletic and competitive. Taylor Biggs is a sophomore at Woodford County High School. He has lived in Woodford Country his whole life or 16 years. He has one younger brother who is 13 named Jacob. He plays Lacrosse for the Woodford County Lacrosse club through the school. Health, fitness, and sports are important to him because he wishes to have a healthy life. He hopes to pursue a career in engineering or as a prof. Lacrosse player.
Jacob Christian is a sophomore at Woodford County High School. he has lived in Woodford County his whole life. He is 16 years old and has 3 siblings all of whom are involved in sports. He plays Soccer for Bluegrass Soccer club and Woodford County High School. Health, fitness, and sports are important to him because it gives him something to do in his spare time with his friends.He hopes to pursue a career in sports or engineering.
4
Rio 2016 Applicant City Poster
Reaching for Rio These Olympic games attract many people which in turn demands lots of time to build the stadiums and athlete villages. With the best in the world all in one location some athletes stand out more than other due to special effects and memories in the sporting events. Examples can be Michael Phelps. Usain Bolt, and Missy Franklin by dominating their particular sports in the 2012 London Olympics. For these athletes the training never stops to get ready for the next event, the Rio De Janeiro Olympic games. Then again will the games be able to happen this year due to the poor planning of Rio officials? How an Olympic city is chosen Every two years countries that wish to have a chance to host the winter or summer Olympics choose a city and make a bid to the International Olympic Commission(IOC). The IOC is a group of people that decide which city has the best plan or design and resources in order to hold the games. Some of the large points the IOC looks at is whether or not the city’s are large enough to hold all the people and events. Can the city/country convince the native people that hosting the Olympics would be beneficial to the economy but also keeping in mind the cost of building all of the stadiums and other needs for the Olympic events. And the final step is can the city hold a positive view when a problem is not becoming fixed or when new problems arises. If a city can
Public Domain
hold these main points then it has a chance to be an Olympic city. Not all of the cities are chosen, so by the time the last three cities come around it is based on the plan that the city has put forward and the belief IOC committee has in the city to compete their plan. Rio 2016 Olympics problems On October 2nd in 2009, the International Olympic Commission took a promise from the country of Brazil, which the country could not keep. When Brazil was chosen to be the 2016 Olympic games host the economy was on the rise and the people were in love with the amount of positive things that we’re going the country’s way. Not only had they won the 2016 Olympic bid but the World Cup for soccer would also be host by Brazil in 2014. Now 5 months away from the 2016 Olympic games Brazil is back in the gutter with a president that could be impeached. Not including the Zika virus which is causing some of the athletes to rethink their decision to go and compete at the games, even with health officials saying Zika should be contained by the time the games come around. The Zika virus affects unborn babies. Babies born after having the Zika virus are known to have smaller brains than normal babies or other birth defects.The bid for the Olympics stated that the economy was stable and the funding for Rio 2016 was “secure”, which was just a thought in the past now. The bid also stated that 80% of sewage in the City would be cleaned which also has not happened.
5
6
Olympic Rings on river being moved from London
The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon where the sprint canoe and kayak events have been placed is still not in racing condition. In the bid statement the lagoon was to be fully regenerated by 2016. One of the Rio officials Mario Andrada said it best with the quote� Nobody wants to have guests at their house and show a dirty house.� With this kind of effort the organizers of the games will need to work fast in order to get all the preparations in order to be host ready. If the IOC knew that the people of Rio and of Brazil were not going to be able to complete their promises and goals, the runner up Madrid, Spain would have gotten the go ahead to start building 7 and a half years ago. Maybe all of these worries of Brazil could have been avoided by going back to Europe which always seems prepared to host when the time comes around. History of the Olympics The Olympics has been held every four years since 1896 with the the Winter Olympics joining in 1924 years making an Olympics happen every two years since 1922. Back when Greece was rulers of the world in 794 BC these events would happen every few years except the events they had were for similar sports. Some are the same like sprinting and boxing but some are differ like chariot races. Other differences are that today the events take two weeks, back then the event would take 5 days with the first day to be used as getting settled
Public Domain
while the next three were for competition. Then on the final day there would be a giant banquet which 100 oxen would be sacrificed for Zeus. Also on the other two days the athletes would be doing religious rituals to honor the gods of Olympus. How Athletes get chosen for the Olympics In order to have a chance to become an Olympic athlete you must of course be in shape and be able to compete, which in turn means no major injuries. Most of the athletes have been competing in their particular sport for their whole lives. First the athletes must register for the competition in their area or country. The athletes on the paper they send in must have met a required standard to compete in their Nations trials. For example in the Marathon event athletes before they compete in the trials must have performed a marathon in 2 hours and 19 minutes for men. This run must be on a USATF certified course by USA Track and Field. Then they must compete again for their spot on their National squad trials. If the athlete get one of the top spots then that individual get to go the Olympics and compete against the best in the world. Athletes to Watch Everyone will have their eyes on the countries they are from but these athletes head the pack as they compete for glory with the spotlight of spotlights on them. American swimmer Michael Phelps, the
most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals in three Olympics, will be one star. This looks to be his last Olympic event and is looking to go out with a bang. Another long time Olympian is Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt known as the Fastest Man in the World. He has won gold for the last 2 Olympics for 2008 and 2012 in the 100 meter and 200 meter. This could also be Bolts last Olympics. Then another American swimmer Missy Franklin in her second Olympics at 19 years old won 5 medals with four of them being gold. Most of these have received their fame through the Olympic Games, other athletes like the NBA and women’s soccer players could compete for their respective countries. Why Watch Rio? Chances are with 28 sports and 308 sets of medals there will be a sport that your country is good at or you might like. Along with the Rio Olympics is a Rio 2016 Olympic Logo record number of countries and athletes scheduled Public Domain to come and compete. And why not support your they are the best in the world without the best in country in the lot of sports? USA has been the juggernaut for sports such as basketball and swimming. the world meeting in the one place? Or will it just all get cancelled because Rio has failed in the eyes of Other countries have amazing teams in springing like the IOC? Jamaica. Or maybe your favorite athlete is competWill the farewell Olympic Games for Legends Miing and you can tune in to root them on. With all of these sports chances are there is one that would chael Phelps and Usain Bolt never happen? How would the world react after years of Olympic spike your interests. achievement throughout the recent Olympic cities? Would there be a punishment for Rio for not For example part of the 28 sports are two popular make the requirements in the time given? Very few sports that are coming back. Golf and Lacrosse were Olympics have been cancelled with all being due to played in the Olympics years ago and have been World War One and Two. Most if not all of these brought back this year to add more flavor to the questions will be answer within the next 6 months games. This year’s games will be broadcasted on NBC with most sports have some portion of the time. as the Rio Olympics ether comes or don’t happen at all. Will Rio happen? With all signs saying that Rio will have a problem still going on during the games and athletes thinking about quitting from the exact thing they have trained all their lives for how will the athletes prove
7
8
1984
1988
United States
South Korea
Los Angeles
1996
Seoul
1992
United States
Spain
Atlanta
Barcelona
2004
2000
Australia
Greece
Sydeny
Athens
2010
2008
United Kingdom
China
London
Beijing
Music, Mind, and Sports By:Taylor Biggs
9
10
Have you ever been running or working out, then realize that music might help you reach your goal? This isn’t an uncommon thing. Lots of people enjoy music and athletic activity. Music helps increase brain function and heighten focus. Many sports personalities are shown in commercials listening to music while they practice. This is a common theme, and shows that music and sports go together quite well. Everyone loves music, and lots of people enjoy being healthy and exercise, so why not have them both at the same time? Listening to your favorite music while you exercise may encourage you to work harder so you can achieve your goal. Also, listening to your favorite music is just fun. It makes you happy if you are sad. It allows you to feel better about yourself. Many scientists say that listening to music can help many people fight and beat depression. However, with every believer there is a skeptic. Some scientists argue that to music while performing tasks can be detrimental, because the brain isn’t made to multitask. This is the same fact that talking on the phone while driving can be dangerous. But, listening to music is different. This is because the brain knows that you need to focus on over tasks over the music, it’s just there for background noise to listen to. With talking and driving, the brain is divided to complete two difficult tasks. It doesn’t know
Sheet Music, Public domain which task to prioritize over the other, so it ends up completing both tasks inefficiently. Music has a positive effect on your brain and mental health. If you listen to music you like, the brain will release dopamine, which is a chemical that has a positive effect. This chemical is released while you work, play, or do something you love. This chemical encourages you continue your activity and work harder towards a goal. It is a self reward system. If you listen to music you like while you work, your brain will reward you with dopamine, and it will increase performance. This is why most athletes say that they listen to music while they practice. This helps their concentration and their drive to succeed. Brain, public domain
Music also helps brainwave function. It increases the brain’s capacity to focus and remember things. While listening to music, one man remembered memories he couldn’t recollect because of Alzheimer’s Disease. After listening to music for a little while, the testers asked him questions about his past, and he could focus and remember small details. Some types of music could even be considered therapeutic.One type of music, called binuaral beats, allows listeners to hear two frequencies at different tones, while hearing a third tone that doesnt exist. This promotes relaxation and a better mood. If this is true, people should have no problem getting their adrenaline pumping from listening to music. Some of the time, people even listen to music while doing boring tasks such as chores. It is a well known fact that cleaning or putting away clothes, people listen to music to make the otherwise boring task somewhat enjoyable. The most popular type of music in this case is really fast or upbeat tunes. Sports, if you didn’t know, is any kind of physical activity that can be considered fun for recreational or professional entertainment. Some examples of well known sports are baseball, basketball, soccer and lacrosse. Most of these
sports listed have been around for a very long time, some dating back to the B.C time period. These sports are played professionally for athlete’s jobs while watched recreationally by lots of average people. They have become very popular because it is very competitive. Many people have favorite teams, and they adopt the same rivalries. There is no reason for this, but it is the socially acceptable thing to do. It has become a welcomed release from school and work, because it gives something that’s fun to watch a relieving sport. However, it isn’t all relieving. Lots of really competitive people who watch sports end up getting stressed out over close games and their team losing. They have almost an unhealthy desire for sports, because they take it to heart if their team loses a big game. In these cases, it is not to help them unwind, it’s to fulfill their competitive spirit. Physical activity is a very demanding task. Lots of people quickly give up on it because it is tiring and strenuous task to complete. Although, if you stay dedicated to it, you will lead a healthier and happier life. Many people believe the effort you put in doesn’t amount to the reward you get. They are wrong. By exercising and being healthier, you can avoid risk of heart failure and diabetes. The chance that you’ll get certain types of cancer can be decreased if you exercise regularly.
Brain Waves,
11
12
Beats headphones has opened up an entire line of products specifically for athletes.This type, known as “Powerbeats,” wrap around your ear, so when you’re moving around a lot it won’t fall out. They targeted athletes with this, because they knew that most athletes enjoyed listening to music while they practice and work out. Apple also made a product for athletes. It is a sleeve to put an iphone or ipod in, so you don’t risk your device falling out of your pocket while you are running. This sleeve has a headphone jack in it, so you don’t lose your device, and you can still listen to music without the risk. Apple also created a smaller version of the ipod, known as the Ipod Shuffle. They marketed this product to runners, because it was very small and could clip on to your pants or shorts for easy travel. This device wasn’t like other ipods, because it doesn’t have a touchscreen. It has a simple interface that can only play music. It is a lot like an Mp3 player. Beats, Apple and many other companies understand the connection between music and sports, so they make products to target that audience. It is a rather large audience, so they known they will make a lot of money from selling their product. Companies such as Bose uses well known athletes to sell their products. In one commercial they had houston texans defensive end, jj watt, listening to music before a big game. It shows the band he’s listening to in the room, hitting and roughing him up. This was to show that music can get you in the mood to fight and excel in your task while listening to music using their speakers. Many companies also use music in commercials. They do this because when you hear that particular song, you will think about that product. It is a very powerful tool they have at their disposal. It is the power of suggestion. Without realizing it, they are sub- consciously thinking about that product. Another example of sports and music going together is the half time shows at many sports
PowerBeats, Courtesy of Beats.com In the Olympics, some sports even have music games. If it is a big game, a show is performed as one the central focusses. In the figure skating at the middle of the game. One popular examportion of the Olympics, the skaters skate ple of this is the Super Bowl Halftime Show. This tradition first started on January 15, 1967. around the ice rink performing dance and gym nastic routines. This is always accompanied by If you didn’t know, at the halftime show, well music in the background, so the skaters try and known artists that are chosen put on a show go with the music’s tempo to provide a seamwith guest appearances from other artists. less act. They are judged on how well they stay with the music as well as the complicity of their In the first decade of the super bowl, college tricks. marching bands played. Lots of people enjoy Overall, this is all about how sports and music this show, because most of the time it is very tie together. They are a great pair, like chococolorful and intriguing. The music played has late and peanut butter. There are many other very high public opinion, so the show is well regarded. It is a very big event, and sometimes ways they can be tied together, but i have just touched on the main reasons. Even then, there people watch the super bowl for the show. A smaller example of this is bands at college and is a lot of information on this topic, especially high school games. They play fighting or upbeat by psychologists. music to boost the team’s morale. The band There is a whole list of technical words and would play the school’s fight song whenever their team scored, so they would feel energized scientific studies that they have produced, but they are really hard to understand unless and good about themselves. This is all about you are one of them. But they all have similar how music makes you feel. results. That result is that music is beneficial to you in almost every way. This has been a Another example is the opening sequences in the Olympics. The Olympics always have a show popular topic that many people want to know the answer to. While there is scientific evidence to start it off. This shows normally has a lot of stating that music is good for you, it might have color and dancing to keep the people enterdifferent results for different people. Remember, tained. This is very effective, because it allows people to focus on what they want. The sports, no one is the same. Person A could have lots of focus while listening to music, while person B or the arts. gets distracted by the music.
13
14
By Any Means By: Audrey Gilbert Everybody wants to get that stunning, summer body. Nobody wants to be laying on the warm sand with the ever sinister cellulite or a love (not so much) handle. It is great that people want to look their best and have self-confidence. However, some people take the body perfecting craze to a whole new level. Those on this level will attempt to reach their body goals by any means. Many of these means are popular trends that have been endorsed by celebrities or make unrealistic promises. These trends can have some very serious consequences. In this article I intend to expose these harmful trends and introduce to you
healthy, safe ways to reach your fullest fitness potential. The Master Cleanse. Many celebrities have used this dieting method, these including, but not limited to, BeyoncÊ, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jared Leto. This California created diet is claimed to detox and cleanse the body from impurities, waste, and excess fat. On average, men lose about 16 pounds and women 12 while on the master cleanse.This diet is a drink compiled of cayenne pepper, lemon juice, maple syrup, and water. That’s it. Nothing else for a week. And while you do lose weight, you also lose health. This diet is seriously lacking in calories, only 720.
The recommended average caloric intake is 2000 a day. Since you are also not receiving any nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, calcium, etc.) you are also destroying your immune system. Also, due to the acidic nature of this drink you end up destroying the lining of your stomach. After you come off this hellish diet and resume your normal eating habits you gain an average of 6 additional pounds from before you started the diet. So much for staying thin. Ear Stapling. This is definitely the most original weight loss theory I’ve ever heard of. Unsurprisingly it’s just as bad as the rest. The idea has acupuntural roots. While acupuncture isn’t bad for you, ear stapling is. Acupuncture can relieve pain, improve sleep, and help with emotional disorders. The ear is what controls our balance and ability to tell the difference between up and down. However, people tend to take things too far and we get what is commonly referred as ear-stapling. First created in the 1970’s, this method was originally named staple-puncture. The whole process is accompanied by a diet exceeding no more than 400 calories. Those who have attempted ear stapling believe that if you staple just the right part of your ear ( or as it is commonly referred to the “stomach of the ear”), you’ll curb the craving to eat. The hope is that it is easier to avoid gluttony temptations that probably aren’t the healthiest options. Sadly for those who attempt ear stapling, the only thing you’ll gain is an infected ear and often deformities. Even worse, it has never been proven to curb cravings. Bummer, because I for
15
16
one was looking forward to shooting a piece of metal into my head. Breatharian Diet. This one just makes me lose faith in the human race. It’s as simple as it gets. You don’t eat. You don’t drink. Not even water. Nothing. Apparently you’re supposed to live on oxygen alone. Last I checked that was called starvation. You know, that thing when your body slowly decomposes and begins eating itself? Yeah, that one. And surprise! It destroys you. Your bones, muscle, and immune system go to hell. So then why do people do it ? They only care about the size on the tag. They don’t care whether or not they are actually healthy. They even often mistake skinny as fit and healthy even when this is not always the case. The next paragraph will explain what fully happens when the body is completely deprived of all nutrients. Starvation Explained. When the human body doesn’t receive nutrients it needs, it has to rely on its reserves. Whenever you skip a meal or go a few hours without eating your body attempts to keep blood sugar levels up by producing glycogen. After 48 hours without eating the first line of defense is your extra body fat,
which is normally relied on for long term energy. The human brain can be made up to 60% fat. The brain, neurons ( specifically the myelin sheath), and nervous system rely on body fat. The fat will last 2-3 days. Once all of the fat is gone the body finds other extreme means to keep you alive. This means protein. The body can run on protein, but only in the most extreme conditions and for only a few days. The most abundant source of protein in humans is the muscles. The body absorbs the protein, shrinking muscles and weakening the body. Protein is absolutely essential to keep our cells working, and when all the protein is gone the cells die. This can mean organ failure, cardiac arrest, and tissue degradation. Even in some cases, death. At this point the immune system is practically dead, a common cold will finish you off. So, for those of you that didn’t know that starvation is bad, now you do. The Military Diet. Perhaps the most popular and well known diet today. This diet is a carefully planned strict set of exact foods that is eaten over the course of three days. This diet claims to allow the dieter to lose 10 pounds. Of course this is only possible through the method of starvation. Day one’s diet caloric intake is 1400 calories, day two’s 1200, and day three’s 1100.
Each day is less than the average, doctor recommended 2000 a day. But we have to give credit where credit is due. None of the foods on the military diet are particularly unhealthy ( save alone dessert), there just isn’t enough there. The Healthy Way to Diet. It’s often said that healthy people are made in the kitchen, not in the gym. With that advice in mind here are some healthy lifestyle tactics. The great thing about these suggestions is that they come from health professionals who have proven how well they work. The following resources are guaranteed to help you live a healthier life. My Plate. Mostly everyone recognizes the colorful plate, cut up into proportional sections of a pie chart. These being representative of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits. But let us not for-
get the charming glass of milk off to the side, which is representative of dairy. In addition to portion sizes, the myplate website offers other helpful bits of information. Like the insider tips of eating lots of dark greens and being sure to drink plenty of water. Myplate recommends: 6 ounces of grains 2 cups of fruit 2.5 cups of vegetables 3 cups of dairy 5.5 ounces of protein This diet was created under the Obama Administration and is taught to children of all ages to help encourage and teach children about living a healthy lifestyle. Also under this time period Michelle Obama, his wife, advocated the Play 60 project and moved to create healthier school lunches. What is most appealing about this diet
17
18
is that you do not lack any nutrients, calories, or inflict self-harm. It’s also easy for people of all intelligence levels to comprehend. Who wouldn’t pick this diet over the master cleanse? I know that I would every time! Now if you really want to get in shape the right way and fast, the most tried and true method is to exercise daily and eat healthy. Michelle Obama’s Play60 project for children recommended 60 minutes of vigorous activity. All the tools are there; the do’s, the don’ts, the workout, everything. Except one, your determination, your willpower. All of the information given to you is pointless without your heart being put in it. I can tell you to eat greens, and drink water, and to exercise daily, and a million other things. But my words don’t matter when it comes down to whether or not you’ll do it. I can’t give you that perfect body you’ve always dreamed of. However… You can. If you put in the effort your goals are attainable. And I promise that if you diet and exercise the healthy way, that the results will be better and more fulfilling than any other method. The other methods will only hurt you, not help you. What’s the point of looking great, when you’re stuck in the hospital due to the effects of starvation?
On the Go Trail-Mix Ingredients: 2 cups of unsalted peanuts 1 1/2 cups of raisins 1/2 cup of m&m’s 1 cup assorted dried fruit( your preference) Directions: combine all ingredinets in a large bowl.
It can be hard to find nutrious snacks while on the go. Trail-mix is a delicous, protein-packed option! Perfect for in between activities or just to get your sweet and salty fix, you can eat it without a smidge of guilt.
19
Mon-Fri: 5:30 AM-9 PM(indoor pools close at 8:30 pm) Saturday: 7 AM-7 PM(indoor pools close at 6:30 pm) Sunday: 10 AM-7 PM(indoor pools close at 6:30 pm) 275 Beasely Rd, Versailles, KY 40383 (859)879-5948