After a year delay, the Tokyo Olympics are once again gearing up for two weeks of action and excitement. Athletes from around the world are descending on Japan to give it their all and, hopefully, walk away with gold. This year, however, the games will be folding five new sports into the mix. Four of these sports have never been part of the Olympics, while one sport hasn’t been part of the games in over a decade. Here’s what to expect: SURFING Both men’s and women’s competitions will be held on Tsurigasaki Beach in Chiba Prefecture. Officials say due to the nature of the competition (being in open water), they’ll be generous with the scheduling. Depending on weather and waves, the preliminary round heats and head-to-head competitions may shift around as necessary. SKATEBOARDING There are two categories: park and street. The street competition takes place on a linear course featuring “real world” elements like stairs and handrails, benches, planter boxes, and curbs. The park competition takes place within a more structured environment with a variety of slopes, curves, and other obstacles that will test skaters. 5 New Sports Join the Olympic Roster in Tokyo
Watching Olympians’ feats of strength, agility, and speed may have you looking at your own body, disappointed, but the steps these athletes have taken to compete for a coveted gold medal are not unlike the process necessary to relieve pain or improve mobility. If you’re ready to get back to the activities you love, heed the advice of Olympians. FOCUS ON BALANCE. When our bodies are not balanced, that’s when we tumble, fall, and get injured. Olympic water polo player and triathlete Julie Swail Ertel told Fitness HQ that she has a simple solution for that. By incorporating more one-legged exercises into her routine, her balance steadied and her time improved. Try It: Like Ertel, focus on exercises that target your body’s balance, like strength training or leg and back exercises. A physical therapist can help you develop a routine and treatment regimen to specifically target your balance deficiencies. DON’T FORGET DIET AND NUTRITION. Movement and exercise are powerful tools for building strong muscles and staying active, but what fuels your body can be just as important. Eat lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and full fats to protect your body’s muscles and give you enough energy. For those in pain, water can also improve the flexibility of your muscles and joints. Try It: Soccer athlete Morgan Brian doesn’t like vegetables, but she incorporates them into a smoothie with fruit and a small amount of yogurt to create a tasty drink with many essential vitamins. Copy Brian and find a trick that works for you! Always forgetting to drink water? Set a reminder on your phone. Need more protein? Try adding salmon to your salad. QUALITY IS KEY. Athletes like skeleton racer and powerlifter Katie Uhlaender practice for countless hours, but it’s not the total number of reps they are watching. Instead, Uhlaender told Fitness HQ that athletes get better results when they pay attention to their form rather than race through reps. You Are an Athlete! FITNESS TIPS FROM OLYMPIANS
Try It: A physical therapist can provide you with the knowledge you need to correct your form, and then you can practice
it at home. Try working out in front of a mirror or videotape yourself. It may feel awkward, but you will be able to watch for improvement.
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