Category: News

If you grew up, well, basically anywhere in the world, chances are good that you have picked up the small wooden and rubber paddle and have played a game of table tennis or Ping-Pong. The game is as fun as it is competitive and not only demands serious physical stamina, but mental stamina, and top-class reflexes and hand-eye coordination. 

But just because you know how to hit the small plastic ball over the net doesn’t mean you know the legacy that you are playing a part in.

The game of table tennis is loved the world over, and is now one of the most popular Olympic sports during the Summer Olympics. It’s complete with different styles of play, bitter rivalries, and massive international stars. 

But just like many other games, table tennis has fairly modest beginnings. 

The game of table tennis first began in the 1880s when lawn tennis players adapted their game to play indoors during the bitter winters. 

The name Ping-Pong, as it is commonly known as, was first created by the U.K. firm J. Jaques and Son at the end of the 19th century. It was then trademarked in the United States by Parker Brothers. 

In 1902, a Japanese student visiting the West saw a game of table tennis and brought it back to Japan where he introduced it to his fellow students. It also spread east from Britain and gained large popularity in places like Vienna, Budapest, and more. 

It wasn’t long until full tournaments were being organized and in 1922, the Table Tennis Association was officially formed. In that same year, an All England Club was formed and soon after a nationwide tournament hosted 40,000 competitors who had fallen in love with the sport.

Five years later, the first table tennis world championships were won by Hungarian Dr. Jacobi. That began an era of dominance by the Hungarians that was spear-headed by legend Victor Barna. In 1927, the English Table Tennis Association was also born and under the direction of Ivor Montague, the moder-day rules of table tennis were created. While the ETTA had a membership of just 19 leagues at its inception, it now has over 300 leagues and approximately 75,000 total members.

Then, the whole game changed in the 1950s after sponge or sandwich rubber allowed spin and control to play a huge part in the game. In many ways, it can be argued that this was the period that marked the beginning of modern-day table tennis. It wasn’t long until the game’s governing body, the ITTF, came up with ways to control this new technological development to make sure that talent and success was based primarily on the player and not on his or her tools. The rubber padding allowed users to exert almost surgical precision on the ball. Now, in official table tennis games, paddles must adhere to specific thickness and weight in order to adhere by tournament specifications. 

The rubber and inclusion of spin in the game dramatically increased the speed and spin style of the game, as well as made it a much more strategic and spectator sport.

Since then, the game has become a truly global sport, dominated by countries such as China, South Korea, Germany, Sweden, and more. 

The recognition of its massive fan appeal and genuine athletic demand culminated in its inclusion in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. The televised broadcast  of the men’s singles final that year attracted a jaw-dropping worldwide audience of 2 billion viewers. Thanks much in part to its billions of fans across the Asian continent. 

While it was at first seen as something of a source of humor in the Olympic community, it has since proven to be a fan-favorite with some of the most intense rallies and emotional moments that the Olympic games have to offer. If you are interested in improving your own table tennis game, check out the stiga xtr outdoor table tennis table review. 

Table tennis is much more than it started out as a way for lawn tennis players to maintain their sharpness during the winter months. It is now a community all in its own. 

Table tennis can be found at gyms, at bars, at the offices at Fortune 500 companies, and in countless basements and sun rooms. If you are a fan of table tennis, take pride in knowing that you are taking part in a legacy and history that has spanned over one hundred years, and the whole world over. Perhaps next time you pick up a paddle, you’ll appreciate it a little bit more now that you know how far the game has already come, and how far it’s yet to go.

Most people know that acupuncture offers quite a few benefits. This tends to remain a somewhat nebulous understanding though. People know that there’s quite a few important benefits to acupuncture. But they’re not sure just what those benefits actually are. 

And the end result is that they end up missing out on treatment which could help some of their most serious problems. This is why it’s often helpful to narrow down the benefits of acupuncture into the best of the best. These are the most significant or helpful benefits of Johnston Family Acupuncture. 

1. Back and joint pain:
This is probably the element that people are most familiar with. Acupuncture can help deal with a number of issues related to your joints or spine. One of the reasons why this is among the more well-known aspects of acupuncture is because the average person is so in need of help in those areas. 

Our culture is constantly pushing people to sit for extended periods of time in ill-fitting chairs. And along with that they need to lean over and make use of keyboards that cause more and more strain by the day. The end result is a public that needs help. And acupuncture is often the best treatment. It’s not just able to deal with pain either. It can help reduce the swelling and inflammation which often create a cycle of increasing harm with these injuries.

2. Stress and mental health:
People often forget that mental health is just as important as physical health. And in fact, more and more evidence shows that the two are linked. Western medicine tends to focus on the negative side of this relationship. Basically, offering evidence that problems with the body can lead to problems with the mind. or that problems with the mind can lead to problems with the body. 

Acupuncture works on the positive side of that equation. It shows that helping relax the body can relax the mind. And that relaxing the mind can relax the body. This is accomplished by the fact that acupuncture practice combines both physical and mental elements to provide a larger scope of influence. It helps relax people in any number of ways. And this applies both to the muscles and joints as well as the mind. This can even result in greater mental clarity in the long run. 

3. Helping take care of eye strain:
Desk jobs and computers aren’t just rough on the back or joints. They’re also a big cause of eye strain. But what many people don’t know is that acupuncture can offer up a lot of benefits for eye strain. And it’s not limited to that one particular form of eye problem either. 

This is one of the more complex areas of acupuncture. As such it’s best to talk it over with a practitioner. But acupuncture can help quite a few different types of eye problem. 

4. Taking control of your health:
This is one of the largest and least spoken of elements of acupuncture. What’s interesting is that it’s not necessarily tied into acupuncture as a whole. Instead it’s about feeling empowered by really taking control of your health care. 

Our culture tends to relegate health care to others. A doctor or nurse tells you what you can and can’t do. You can reply in turn with how it all impacts you. But in general, this is just offering up a little extra information to the people making the decision.

Acupuncture and other alternative forms of medicine give the patient control over his or her own body. It might seem like a minor thing at first. But as people begin to exercise that control, they often notice that they feel much better. This is in large part because they can more easily fine tune treatment. The patient can increase or decrease the rate and nature of treatment as needed. 

The lack of a middle man can make a huge different in the long term. Not to mention that it builds up self-confidence and positive energy. This, in turn, often helps people’s natural defenses grow to fight off various issues.

Saving money doesn’t need to be a massive chore or imposition. There’s a plethora of information that may help an individual to learn to handle finances well. There are many ideas and strategies available for learning about finances. However, there are three simple steps that can be followed to help men and women to become more educated on money, including ultimately learning to put away more cash in the bank. Here are a few simple ideas to start out with!

1) Deal With Debt First

With the many expenses that individuals may incur, it can become easy to fall into debt. Dealing with debt and paying down any debts owed may be a great first step to be able to get finances under control and to be able to eventually save more money. A financial advisor may be helpful when seeking advice on money management. Additionally, individuals who are experiencing serious debt problems and who are unable to pay the amount of money they owe may consider consulting with a professional. An attorney, such as a Rockville bankruptcy lawyer, is an excellent resource for discussing options that are available regarding filing for bankruptcy.

2) Live Within Financial Means

Consider living a lifestyle that is within (or ideally, beneath!) an individual’s financial means. A good way to determine this may be for an individual to determine his or her annual income, and then learn to live on a small portion of that income. Creating a list of “needs” and “wants” may help with deciding where to direct more (or less) spending. Making a budget may be very advantageous. Living below financial means can quickly help to save more money and may help prevent going into debt.

3) Study as Much as Possible about Money

There are hundreds of options to study in order to learn more about saving money and attaining financial freedom. Consider taking a few minutes every day to listen to podcasts about saving money and investing. Read reputable finance books and watch educational videos about how to save more money. And celebrate personal victories when handling finances well!

When you go to adopt a pet you should always be thinking about insurance, especially when they are a rescue. Think of insurance like a safety net to protect against unexpected cost the pet might incur. These include shots, vet visits, and any necessary operations like neutering. It is important to know what a good policy will include and how to get the best insurance for the right rate. While it’s key to do your research, here are some things you should think about when you are adopting a pet and need insurance.

What is the Price?

Since pet health expenses are not cheap, neither is pet insurance. The average policy last year was £279, and the average pet insurance claim was £793. However, claims can run into the thousands if your pet develops an ongoing condition. The worth of your insurance is highly dependent upon the likelihood that you will need to make a claim and how much the claim will cost.

If your pet is a rescue, you should take them in to get them checked out and see what the costs will be to care for the animal in the long-term. Then you will have a better idea of what insurance will cost. Older animals also cost more to insure, and need more frequent medical attention. Choosing to self-insure, meaning that you will take care of all expenses that your pet incurs, can be risky but beneficial.

What Kind of Pet is it?

The kind of pet you are adopting is crucial to how much your policy will cost. Since the vast majority of pet insurance policies taken out are for cats and dogs, it is easier to find insurers for them. But for smaller animals it is datable whether costly pet insurance coverage will be worth the short lifespan of animals like rabbits, hamsters, or gerbils. Birds and reptiles are difficult to insure because not many companies offer this service. For instance, venomous animals are not insurable, and you should look into liability insurance to cover any accidents that may happen with a poisonous pet.

What are the Risks?

According to the experts at the site MoneyPug, which is used to compare pet insurance, different pets come with different risks and therefore different insurance costs. For example, pedigree dogs can be more susceptible to congenital diseases, hereditary conditions, and other illnesses. They are also more likely to be stolen. Furthermore certain breeds come with their own genetic problems, larger dogs may suffer from joint problems, and older dogs may require increased attention. Bulldogs in particular can develop respiratory problems.

Is it a Rescue?

Rescuing a pet is a great thing to do, but all altruistic things come with their disadvantages. Insurance for rescue dogs help cover sometimes steep veterinary costs, but they are more expensive due to the uncertain nature of their well-being. If they have an accident or need medical treatment it will be covered, but you should do your research to find the best policy for your situation. For example, specifically designed rescue dog insurance is probably what you need.

Some insurance policies even cover dental treatment, but it all depends on the specific policy. While most rescue organisations will provide vet assessments to rehabilitate the pet before you adopt it and make note of any pre-existing health issues, doing your research to find the right rescue insurance will help in the long-run.  

What does the Policy Cover?

Insurance companies cover different things, and each policy is more specific than that. You need to think about what you need your pet insurance to cover and pursue it for the most reasonable price. It is also important to determine if you need lifetime coverage, time-limited coverage, or money-limited coverage. These policies may cover accidental death, full treatment expenses, illnesses or injuries suffered while the policy is in effect. An accident in transit, loss or theft, accidental poisoning, and third party liabilities are also things to consider.

The way insurance companies come up with the price of your policy is to determine the age of the animal, the breed, its health condition, whether or not it is an exotic animal, and the location and climate conditions of the building where it lives. Whatever you need from an insurance company, you can find the most affordable option. With some research and deliberation, you can find the best insurance policy in no time.

Lots of weight loss supplements contain glucomannan these days, but is it any good for weight loss? The simple answer to that question is yes. Glucomannan’s ability to suppress the appetite has been put to the test time and time again and it’s proved its worth in research establishments all over the world. Research shows glucomannan also has the ability to keep cholesterol levels under control. So apart from being good for weight loss, glucomannan is also kind to the heart.

What is Glucomannan?

Glucomannan is a water-soluble fiber. It comes from the roots of an Asian plant called konjac. For this reason, it sometimes appears on supplement labels under that name. However, glucomannan is the name most commonly used. Very rarely it also appears under the name of amorphophallus konjac, but it’s still the same thing.

According to ResearchedSupplements.com – Glucomannan powder is one of the most popular ingredients in appetite suppressing weight loss products

Chinese people have been using the ingredient for many hundreds of years. In China, it’s valued as much as a food ingredient as it is for its medicinal value and it’s very low in calories. To this day, flour made by grinding the roots of the konjac plant is used for making tofu, noodles and jelly-type confectionery. Meanwhile, Chinese doctors use the powder to make a gel they use for treating asthma, hernia, burns and a variety of other ailments and injuries. In the West, glucomannan is mostly used in products intended to provide hunger control. This is probably a fact that speaks volumes about the cultural differences between the East and the West.

Why Glucomannan Is So Good for Weight Loss

As you may already be aware, foods that are high in fiber tend to be good for filling the stomach and satiating the appetite. Oats and wholemeal cereals are two examples. High-fiber foods are more filling because the digestive organs find them hard to process. This is no bad thing because the extra effort to break down the fiber gives the digestive organs a workout and helps maintain intestinal health.

However, there are two types of dietary fiber. The first kind is soluble, the second is not. Insoluble fiber is the kind you get from vegetables and whole-grain foods. It’s good for bulking the stool and helping prevent constipation.  Soluble fiber absorbs water and bonds with it to form a gelatinous compound. Like glucomannan, oats, bran, and barley are soluble fibers. However, glucomannan’s ability to absorb water far exceeds them. It can absorb up to 50 times its own weight in water.

When glucomannan comes into contact with water, it absorbs it quickly and expands. The resulting gel sits fills up the digestive organs and creates a feeling of satiety that reduces the desire for food. Because the fiber takes some time to travel through the digestive organs the appetite suppressing ability of glucomannan can last quite some time.

A Researched Weight Loss Ingredient That Works

Glucomannan is no one-hit wonder. The results of many clinical trials show that it works. However, it still needs to be used alongside an energy-restricted diet.

For the purposes of a study conducted at the University of Tromso in Norway, 176 overweight volunteers were split into four groups. As is normally the case with clinical trials, one group was given a placebo. The other three groups got high-fiber supplements.  One group got glucomannan, another got a mix of glucomannan and guar gum. The last group got glucomannan, guar gum, and alignat. All four groups had to adhere to an energy-restricted diet that provided 1200 calories per day. Not surprisingly given their low calorie intake, all four groups lost weight. Again, it’s no surprise that the placebo group lost the least amount of weight. All three glucomannan groups lost similar amounts of weight and the researchers concluded the addition of additional fibers did not result in additional weight loss.

Researchers in the USA evaluated the data provided by 14 different studies and confirmed glucomannan is good for weight loss and can beneficially affect cholesterol. Health experts at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a similar evaluation but evaluated all the many claims made for the ingredient. After examining the data, the FDA experts agreed glucomannan has value as an appetite suppressant. They also sanctioned its use for controlling cholesterol, but the rest of the claims for the ingredient could not be supported.

How to Get the Best from Glucomannan

All of the studies involving the ingredient involved the use of an energy-restricted diet. After its evaluation, the EFSA produced guidelines for the best way to use glucomannan. The guidelines stress the need for controlling the daily calorie intake while using the ingredient.  This is not surprising because eating less food is not enough if the food that is eaten is overly high in fat or simple sugars.

Due to the way it works, it’s also important to drink one to two glasses of water with glucomannan. This is necessary to deliver the necessary expansion of the fibers. The EFSA also recommends taking three doses of glucomannan per day.  Each dose should provide one gram of fiber and it’s best to take the doses before meals. Doing so ensures maximum appetite suppression and will make it easier to feel satisfied by smaller portions of food. It also provides a long-term feeling of fullness that should prevent snacking.

Although the EFSA’s guidelines don’t stress the need for exercise, increasing levels of physical activity is always a good way to support additional weight loss. The bottom line is glucomannan is good for weight loss, but it needs to be used in the correct way.

One of the most excruciating parts of being injured often isn’t the pain itself; it’s the limitation of not being able to do the things you love. As runners, we are champions of endurance and of transcending the limits of what the body can do.

We are primed to go further and run harder through rain or shine. Although, when it comes to injury, this isn’t always the healthiest approach. Here are three common mistakes to avoid in the rehabilitation process to ensure longevity and a healthy recovery.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, about sixty percent of runners confront injuries that are severe enough to put them on the sidelines. Running injuries are generally on a spectrum. Aches and pains, sore muscles, and fatigued joints often come with the territory, leaving many runners to wonder when it’s time to seek professional help. Acute injuries are the most obvious case. This category includes those sudden injuries such as broken bones and sprains resulting in immediate swelling, ongoing pain, and impaired mobility of the injured body part.

Chronic injuries, also recognized as overuse injuries can be a bit trickier to gauge. These pains are caused by contributing forces that wreak havoc on the body over repeated activity and prolonged periods of time. Risk factors can include the type of terrain you’ve been running on, the quality and support of the shoes you wear, and the level of training you’ve completed (yes, there is such thing as overtraining). Other contributing factors can include improper form and changes in both strength and flexibility.

What Are Common Running Injuries?

Shin splints are a common and incredibly painful ‘side effect’ of wear and tear. When the muscles and tendons covering the shinbones become inflamed, runners will experience a stabbing pain that often extends from the knees to the ankles. Runners with tight calf muscles may also become vulnerable to Achilles Tendinitis, causing the Achilles to swell. Of course, the most obvious of runner’s injuries would have to be ‘Runners Knee.’ More formally known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Runners Knee causes a great deal of pain around the kneecap. Some runners may even hear an alarming popping sound as they continue to move through the pain. There a range of vulnerabilities we may face as runners, but the benefits far outweigh the risks. The key is to approach prevention and rehabilitation smarter.

1. Running Through Injury

We get it, no pain, no gain, but in the process of rehabilitation, this attitude is quite counterintuitive. While some injuries may get better and feel less painful as you keep going, you have to be mindful of your long-term well-being. According to Runner’s World, there is a fine line between a ‘niggle’ and a full-blown injury.  Generally, if the ache keeps you up at night or begins to interfere with your day-to-day life, this can be the sign of a larger issue at hand (or foot or knee). If you have had at least two weeks of rest and the trusty old RICE method, (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and the problem persists, it may be time to see a physiotherapist.

2. Neglecting the Root Cause

We’ve all fallen privy to the dark hole of WebMD and Google searches. There is a lot of information available to us, but when it comes down to it, each of our bodies are different. While a fancy name like Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome can bring some clarity to your situation, it won’t necessarily keep the issue from happening again in the future. Our bodies are complex systems and the intricacies of our biomechanics hold the greatest insight into the reason why an issue happened in the first place. Visiting a physiotherapist can help you to delve into the root cause of injury and derive personalized insights that no Google search can achieve.

3. Thinking Subjectively

There is no “one size fits all” solution to injury. It’s a complex process that requires an objective approach and path to recovery. This is where many runners are behind, as they lack the tools and objective insights to make the right choices for their bodies. This is where dorsaVi comes in.

DorsaVi is a motion sensory wearable that is a cost-effective and objective solution to rehabilitation. The wearable delivers lab-quality data, combining complex algorithms with biomechanical instruments and different sensors that measure both muscle activity and body movement. DorsaVi’s Professional Suite captures movement analytics from three core modules, Low Back, Run, and Knee to identify injury risk and guide proper rehabilitation.

“The dorsaVi wearable sensor solutions allow many aspects of detailed human movement and position to be acutely captured, quantified, with the same level of accuracy as a biomechanics lab – but with the benefit of it being simple to use, low cost and accessible for use in real situations in real-time,” says Megan Connell, Chief Marketing Officer at dorsaVi.

When it comes to injury, objectivity is the smartest of all medicines. By listening to your body, learning more about it, and taking the introspective route, your road to recovery will put you right back on your feet.

Many nonprofits make money as a result of their business activities. For example, Red Cross makes money by charging for training courses and products, but they also accept donations. Other nonprofits have to rely largely on fundraising efforts to pay their expenses. And fundraising can be grueling. Making phone calls, handing out flyers on sidewalks, and going door-to-door can make you feel a little like a used car salesman. But for most nonprofit companies, it’s one of the necessities of the business. In fact, without a certain amount of donations every year, these companies would have to close their doors almost immediately. And one of the classier ways they do this is by hosting charity events. They can be auctions, balls, sporting events, and more. If you’re hosting these events to raise money, the last thing you want to do is spend a fortune on putting them on. If you follow these tips, you’ll be able to host a great event without breaking the bank.

Use a free venue

If you run a nonprofit, you may already have access to a free space to host an event. But even if you don’t, there are probably plenty of businesses in town who would love to help out. One example would be the local country club. You may be able to use their golf course free or for a portion of the proceeds to host a charity golf tournament. Other places you could check into are community centers, Boy Scout buildings, or hospital event rooms. And rather than buying everything you need for a one-time use, consider renting. For example, if you’re hosting a children’s charity event in New York, you can check into a throne chair rental NYC. You can use a throne as a photo booth opportunity, a “queen or king for a day” event, or even a place for Santa to sit at a Christmas party.

Use free entertainment

Rising talent and area bands are often willing to perform for charity events at no cost for the chance to be heard. But that’s not the only type of entertainment you can use. Another idea is a silent disco. Attendees wear headphones and dance to tunes on their smartphones. You either have them all tune into the same song or they can listen to their own. You can also hire a DJ to pipe music into their headphones if you wish. The point is that anyone not wearing headphones can’t hear a thing. But as an alternative to music, you can use magicians, comedians, or motivational speakers. The best entertainment might be the ones who will volunteer their services for free.

Host a cook-off

A cook-off can include one type of food or several categories. For example, you might host a barbecue cook-off on one side and a bake-off for desserts on the other. The participants can be charged a small fee to enter and then you can combine those fees for the prize. If it’s local businesses participating, however, they are sometimes happy with a newspaper write-up in lieu of a cash prize. And you make money from the fees you charge patrons at the door. This is a great way to offer food and fun for little out-of-pocket cost for you.

Find inexpensive decorations

The decor you use for charity events doesn’t have to be expensive. Keep your eyes open all year for bargains and sales. For example, you might find a Target liquidation sale where you can purchase a pallet of regularly used items, such as chairs and tables. Or you might find a going-out-of-business sale at a local party supply store. Just try to collect things over the course of the year that you can use again and again.

 

Nowadays, people view public spaces very differently than the countless generations before them. Why is that important? Because the relationships that individuals forge with the spaces around them are critical to daily life. But as important as public spaces and commons may be, many urban spaces in this country are neglected, which can lead to decay. Even so, that’s not the only issue. Many arguments about public spaces revolve around institutional disregard and completely omit the impact of latent cultural anxiety.

There’s a major link between terrorism and public anxiety. As attacks in public spaces continue to hold a place in the public consciousness, these impact how Americans view their spaces. According to Pacific Standard: “As these threats endanger public spaces, they also have serious implications on the private, innermost workings of everyday citizens’ psyches.” The consequences of such horrific events aren’t limited to Americans, either.

A catalogue of three years worth of terrorist attacks which unfolded exclusively on European soil (and only those that involved vehicles) highlights premeditated strikes from London and Paris to Barcelona and Berlin. Worst of all is the fact that very little can be done to prevent them without totally reconceptualizing public security. Unfortunately, that typically means comprises have to be made and the right mindset must be deliberately cultivated.

Fortunately, there are practical guides to situational awareness. Reviewing them is likely to be a sound strategy for anyone intent on developing an appropriate mindset. As one such guide explains, “people practicing situational awareness can detect attack steps, avoid danger themselves, and alert the authorities to protect others.” In other words, universally practiced situational awareness sets the stage for more robust public security.

Of course, we can’t place all of our trust and confidence in human factors. That’s because people are inherently fallible — they make mistakes and misinterpret behaviors. What’s threatening to one person might be considered tolerable by another. How can the authorities address that limitation? The answer is through technology. A poll suggests that Americans overwhelmingly support increased public surveillance to help mitigate growing threats, and that’s relatively unsurprising given the frequency and severity of planned terrorist attacks.

Despite the fear-mongering media headlines, authorities have never been better at thwarting terrorism, whether it be foreign or domestic. Many governments can now turn to industry experts to implement safeguards and security countermeasures. The same enterprise security risk management solutions that shield Fortune 500 brands can also be utilized by cities. Though implementations can look very different, the expected outcomes and goals are identical. Polls already indicate that citizens are willing to compromise privacy in exchange for greater peace of mind. It’s likely they would also be willing to direct taxes to such initiatives, especially if research can demonstrate that these activities would yield meaningful results.

Suffice it to say that anxiety in public spaces is definitely well-justified. Recent history has done nothing to convince us that unexpected terrorism is about to go by the wayside. In fact, evidence suggests that things could probably get much worse before they get perceivably better. That isn’t to say that paranoia should take hold, but rather to further stress the centrality of what’s been introduced. Never underestimate how vital it is to feel safe and secure in public.