Category: Uncategorized

When you need to get shit done: A list

  1. Take a short break. Wash your face. Drink some tea.
  2. Get out of your head and do something. It won’t do to just keep worrying.
  3. Do not multi-task. Just take one step at a time.
  4. Fix it, then forget it. When you make a mistake, don’t dwell on it too much.
  5. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just get it done and work with what you have.
  6. Actively try to motivate yourself. Talk to someone about goals, progress, setbacks, and thoughts in both personal and professional life.
  7. Draw. Sing. Dance. Enjoy something.
  8. Exercise. Maybe endorphins will help.
  9. Keep a good spirit. Fix your mindset.
  10. It’s okay to fail as long as you learn.
  11. Refresh. Close all those tabs. Clean up. Start anew.

The Tired Man’s Sonnet

Night– the dark and endless shroud that surrounds
Its mystery beheld by the wandering mind
Although the shutters close, I am not blind
My thoughts traverse all sights without a sound

Visions transcend to the air from the ground
And with great contentment, I likewise find,
I’ve escaped, I am freed, I am redefined
In a sea of clouds, I cannot drown

Alas! As all things must come to an end
The dawn comes as the ringing of a bell
A sigh escapes my unfortunate soul
As my paradise fades away again
And harsh reality returns– my hell
I awake, resigned, to life’s tiring toll

Transgender Women in Sports

The rise in transgender awareness is changing the world. It has made people reconsider traditional policies and habits. From pronouns to restrooms to beauty pageants, these changes result in a more inclusive environment.

However, the topic of transgenders in single-gender sports has recently sparked debate. From high school level sports to international competitions, transgender women have been making news as they dominate their field. Examples of such athletes are sprint cyclist Rachel McKinnon, weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, and runner CeCé Telfer.

This has caused athletes to complain against the inclusion of trans-women in women’s sports. These people are now being labeled as transphobic.

What’s the rule about trans-women athletes?

Trans-women athletes are required to have declared their gender at least four years prior to the event. According to the International Association of Athletics Federation, they must also have a lowered testosterone level of 5 nmol/L for at least a year prior to the event. This means that men cannot “cheat” and declare themselves as transgender just to win a trophy. They must undergo hormonal changes, signifying that they are indeed women.

However, 10 nmol/L of testosterone is arbitrary.

Indeed, testosterone levels of men range from 6.68 to 29.0 nmol/L while levels of women range from 0.101 to 1.67 nmol/L. So even a limit of 10 nmol/L is too high for women’s sports.

Additionally, male development in early life have lasting effects. Men are naturally more athletic with denser muscles and better bones than women. Even with hormone treatment, these traits are still better than the average woman’s.

Men naturally have a larger bone structure, higher bone density, stronger connective tissue and higher muscle density than women.  These traits, even with reduced levels of testosterone do not go away.  While MTF may be weaker and less muscle than they once were, the biological benefits given them at birth still remain over than of a female.

USA Powerlifting

Conclusion

While it may be viewed as transphobic, transgender women naturally have an unfair advantage over cisgender women and should not be allowed to participate in women’s sports.

References

Stretching is Good for You

Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move unrestricted through a range of movement (ROM). It is typically associated with gymnasts, ballerinas, or yogis. However, it is an important factor for all sports and for just general well-being. Stretching is an activity that increases flexibility. Thus, stretching is an important activity for everyone, whether athlete or not.

Stretching improves flexibility and lessens pressure on joints and muscles. It also maintains ROM as you gain muscle mass from exercise. Athletic performance and even everyday activities may be more easily done with a greater ROM.

Stretching also prevents injuries. It does so mainly in three ways. First, as flexibility involves the soft tissues around a joint (ie. muscles, ligaments, tendons, joint capsules, skin), a wider ROM means that less exercises will tear these muscles. Second, tense back muscles may cause poor posture. Stretching may help relieve this tension. Third, lack of ROM in joints may decrease blood supply and nutrients. This may cause pain in weight bearing joint such as the knees and hips, especially as we age.

Critics will cite some studies showing stretching is not beneficial to athletic performance. In fact, it may even decrease muscle performance (ROM, strength, power, endurance, etc).

However, this is why stretching is recommended post-exercise instead of immediately before. This is because proper stretching helps heal muscles more quickly after exercise. According to a study by Hotta et. al (2018) regularly stretching increases circulation. Increased circulation will help facilitate muscle recovery.

Conclusion

Stretching is important for everyone. It prevents injuries from sports and from everyday life (tense back, painful knees and hips), and eases general movement. It is most effective when done post-workout, as it also improves athletic performance when done regularly over time.

References

Pasma

When I used to take piano lessons, my teacher would often tell me “Don’t wash your hands right after practice. You have to wait 30 mins first or else mapapasma ka.”

Since then, I’ve heard people say similar things multiple times. “I can’t wash the dishes right now! Kaka-plantsa ko lang. Baka mapasma pa ako” or “It’s bad to take a bath right after exercising, baka mapasma ka.”

Pasma is an illness when the cold enters your body, typically through water. It is characterized by sweaty palms and feet, shaky hands, and varicose veins. Sometimes, if it’s really bad, you could experience pain and numbness, fever or colds; and if it’s really really bad, it could lead to respiratory and brain malfunctions, and even blindness.

There are a number of methods to try to cure pasma. This includes massaging the area with ginger and coconut oil, banishing the evil spirits with tawas, and soaking in your own urine.

But what exactly is pasma?

Pasma is attributed to an imbalance of hot and cold. Scientifically, this may be interpreted as a sudden change in temperature in the body. However, there is no scientific explanation for pasma. Pasma is a folk illness, and there is no scientific data to support it.

However, this doesn’t mean that there is no truth to it. Just because it’s a folk illness, that doesn’t mean the illness isn’t real. Perhaps we simply haven’t explored this area in a scientific manner.

This calls to attention how beliefs and phenomena like pasma, and even bangungot and usog are typically dismissed as “just folk illnesses.” It’s about time we, as a scientific community, stop looking down on these cultural beliefs and start using our knowledge to help the Filipino people.

Although we do not yet know what really causes pasma, this provides us an opportunity to go back to our roots and apply science. In the meantime, it’s safe to simply avoid an imbalance of hot and cold. Baka mapasma ka pa.

Are Menstrual Cups Safe?

A menstrual cup is a silicone cup inserted into the vagina to the collect menstruation within the body. It has recently risen in popularity as a cost-efficient and eco-friendly alternative to disposable pads and tampons. But the safety of menstrual cups is still doubtful.

Objections

It is unsanitary to leave the blood inside the vagina. The collected blood in the cup may invite bacteria, such as Stapphylococcus aureus, to grow. If left for enough time, the bacterial growth may cause toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

Furthermore, its presence in the vagina may induce problems. Since it is inside for extended periods of time, it may physically damage the vagina or cause chemical imbalance. This may lead to yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis.

However, the menstrual cup is not the same as the tampon.

Answers to Objections

Menstrual cups are not porous and do not absorb blood. They are made of medical-grade silicone, which are easy to clean and resist bacterial growth. Simple washing of hands and cup regularly with soap and water greatly lowers chance of infection. Thus, TSS is not likely to occur.

Also, menstrual cups are not absorbent and do not dry out the vagina. By doing so, it does not cause microabrasions on the vaginal walls like tampons do. Keeping the moist environment also preserves the natural vaginal flora. This means that the “good bacteria” are still present to fight against infections.

Conclusion

Infections and TSS from menstrual cups are unlikely to occur. Thus, menstrual cups are a safe alternative to tampons and pads.

References

Ultimate (the sport)

Originally played with empty pie tins of the Frisbie Pie Company, Ultimate Frisbee has developed into a full-fledged sport.

The sport is officially known as Ultimate Frisbee and is a non-contact, self-refereed team sport played with a 175g-flying disc (commonly known as a frisbee).

How it is Played

Two teams play on a field that is rectangular in shape. On each end of the field is an endzone, with each team defending one endzone. A point is scored when a team brings the disc to their opponent’s endzone.

To get the disc across the field, it must be thrown by a player and caught by their teammate. When holding the disc, the thrower may not run with the disc.

The defensive team may obtain the disc if the offensive team drops the disc (does not catch the disc) or if they intercept a pass by the offensive team. The defensive team then becomes the offensive team.

Spirit of the Game

What makes Ultimate different from most sports is that it is self-officiating. This is because it is dependent on the Spirit of the Game (SOTG). SOTG is a form of sportsmanship that is elevated to a community level. Each player is responsible for knowing and enforcing the rules. Fouls and violations are called and resolved by the players. This encourages fair-mindedness, safe play, and clear communication. Competitive play is encouraged, but it is more essential to protect the basic joy of play through the fair enforcement of the rules.

Ultimate is an exciting sport that is easy to learn. It promotes respect and fair-mindedness especially during intense competition.

References

Is Kinesio® Tape Worth Buying?

What is Kinesio® tape?

Kinesio® tape is a stretchy tape often used by athletes for recovering injuries. It has caught attention with its bright colors, strange taping patterns.

Objections

It utilizes a different taping technique from other athletic tapes, as it works differently. Instead of simply providing support and limiting range of motion, Kinesio tape produces tension on the skin. As the tension lifts the skin from the tissue, less pressure is placed on sensory neurons, thus reducing pain. The lifting of skin also increases blood and lymph circulation. This reduces inflammation and facilitates healing. Its stretchy nature also provides support to muscles and joints, while still allowing for range of motion during sports.

In the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, many high-profile athletes such as beach volleyball star Kerri Walsh wore black Kinesio tape on her shoulder. Even in soccer, Kinesio tape was seen sported by superstar David Beckham. By the London 2012 Olympics, almost every player of every sport was using Kinesio tape.

However, athletes are known to embrace products of pseudoscience to improve their performance.

Answers to Objections

Kinesio tape claims to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce inflammation, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing, and assist in returning the body to homeostasis. However, little scientific evidence has been found to support Kinesio taping. Despite the various studies on Kinesio taping and musculoskeletal injury, many of them lack quality. The few studies that are reliable say that it only may possibly provide lessened inflammation and short-term pain relief. On whether Kinesio tape is able to speed up healing, prevent further injury, or provide flexible support, studies have mixed or inconclusive findings.

While the Olympic athletes of 2008 were seen using Kinesio tape, the use of the tape was not heard of prior to that year’s Olympics. In fact, the Kinesio company donated 50,000 rolls of the tape to 58 countries for the Olympic games. Sure, the Olympic athletes did not have endorsement deals with Kinesio; however, its prevalence in the games suggests that the 2008 Olympic athletes felt obliged to use the tape despite not having much experience with it before.

Conclusion

Therefore, Kinesio tape is a scam that gained popularity through marketing and placebo effect.

References