Injury warning for armchair fans
Jubilant celebrations are a major cause of injury, the guide warns
While Sven coaches the England squad toward peak fitness for Euro 2004 it is physiotherapists who are looking out for the team's armchair supporters.
Adjust the television's angle and avoid leaping from the sofa in wild celebration is the advice from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
It has issued an injury survival guide to football clubs in an effort to stop ardent fans being stretchered off.
Those watching the pitch are as much at risk as the players on it, it warns.
Meanwhile fans are also being cautioned on the dangers of "voice abuse" during tournament matches.
Try to avoid sudden jerking movements which could give you a cricked neck
Fans' survival guide
Excessive shouting, singing and screaming could lead to serious long-term damage, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists said.
Chartered physiotherapist and leaflet author Sammy Margo said twice as many patients at her clinic are injured by sitting in awkward postures as by playing sport.
Her chief concern for Euro 2004 fans is the "lower back pain, muscle sprain and strain" risks involved in a sudden goal celebration after sitting still.
"What we need to do is set ourselves up correctly," she told BBC Radio Five Live. "Adjust the position of the television so that it's right in front of you.
Unnecessary 'lunging'
"Get our sofa or comfy chair sorted out so that you are relatively well supported - be it with placing a towel or pillow in the small of your back.
"In a situation when you can reasonably anticipate a goal, prepare your body by getting up off the sofa carefully so that you are already standing and then you can jump up and down, instead of springing off the sofa," she warned.
The leaflet recommends having food and drink supplies within arm's reach to avoid unnecessary "lunging".
Avoid sudden jerking movements, physiotherapists advise
It deals with frustration: "When protesting about a bad tackle, resist the urge to flail your arms around. It is often safer to take a deep breath, stand up and stamp your foot.
And it advises on a standing posture for a penalty shoot-out - "one of the riskiest situations a football fan will have to face".
"As each player walks up to the spot remind yourself that your suspense will either turn to jubilation or frustration, so be prepared for all eventualities," it cautions.
Despite the good intentions, Ms Margo admits her advice may be drowned out in Euro 2004 euphoria.
"I know it's a little bit unrealistic," she said. "But just be aware, that by jumping off the sofa you may do yourself some damage."
Happy yelling is less likely to cause voice damage
Jayne Comins
Language therapist
Issuing their warning, language therapists said more patients attended clinics with hoarse or no voices after the 2002 World Cup.
In what could be a worrying turn for England supporters, they said yelling in anger, rather than in support, caused the most harm.
"Happy yelling is less likely to cause voice damage," said therapist Jayne Comins. "When you are angry and frustrated you tighten up and cause more injury."
To guard against voice damage, fans need to avoid long periods of overuse, drink water or juice and cut down on smoking, alcohol and caffeine, she said.
Safety Tips for PHXERS
Beware chalupas:
Call it assault by chalupa.
The Des Moines Police Department has filed a simple assault charge against a Des Moines man for an alleged Thursday incident at Taco Bell, 1501 E. Euclid Ave.
The weapon? A crispy, chewy concoction called a chalupa.
"I've never had anything quite like that before," said Darren Cornwell, the detective who investigated the case.
Police received a report early Friday alleging that a disgruntled customer threw the snack at a Taco Bell employee just hours before.
Nancy Harrison, a Taco Bell employee, told police she was working the drive-through at 10:45 p.m. Thursday when Christopher Lame, 24, ordered some food. Shortly afterward, Lame parked in front of the store, went inside and stated that he did not get the taco he ordered, records show.
Harrison said she asked if he had a receipt.
"What the (expletive)," he said. "Do I have to bring my receipt, too?" he answered.
Lame allegedly went back to his car, grabbed the bag the tacos were in, and told her, "There's the (expletive) tacos."
Police records show Harrison informed Lame they were closing, and as she turned away, a chalupa hit her in the face near her right eye. Lame ran out, but Harrison followed and took down his license plate number, she said.
A follow-up investigation identified the assailant as Lame, who was issued a criminal citation. He is scheduled to appear in court June 15.
Detective Larry Reynolds, who has been on the job for 31 years, said the case he remembers that most closely resembles the chalupa incident involved thrown milk at a McDonald's. No charges were filed in that case, he said.
Call it assault by chalupa.
The Des Moines Police Department has filed a simple assault charge against a Des Moines man for an alleged Thursday incident at Taco Bell, 1501 E. Euclid Ave.
The weapon? A crispy, chewy concoction called a chalupa.
"I've never had anything quite like that before," said Darren Cornwell, the detective who investigated the case.
Police received a report early Friday alleging that a disgruntled customer threw the snack at a Taco Bell employee just hours before.
Nancy Harrison, a Taco Bell employee, told police she was working the drive-through at 10:45 p.m. Thursday when Christopher Lame, 24, ordered some food. Shortly afterward, Lame parked in front of the store, went inside and stated that he did not get the taco he ordered, records show.
Harrison said she asked if he had a receipt.
"What the (expletive)," he said. "Do I have to bring my receipt, too?" he answered.
Lame allegedly went back to his car, grabbed the bag the tacos were in, and told her, "There's the (expletive) tacos."
Police records show Harrison informed Lame they were closing, and as she turned away, a chalupa hit her in the face near her right eye. Lame ran out, but Harrison followed and took down his license plate number, she said.
A follow-up investigation identified the assailant as Lame, who was issued a criminal citation. He is scheduled to appear in court June 15.
Detective Larry Reynolds, who has been on the job for 31 years, said the case he remembers that most closely resembles the chalupa incident involved thrown milk at a McDonald's. No charges were filed in that case, he said.
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Archangelus
- Posts: 4286
- Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2002 9:01 pm
- Contact:
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This_name_sucks
- Posts: 539
- Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2003 10:55 am
- Location: UK, Essex, Southend
WOOT!!! This is my 100th post EVER. I didn't post much in the good old days. To celebrate, lets look back over some of those great posts. (Cue the corny dramatic music).
A line of inspiring images appear followed by echoed quotes in the distance.
"I think that......"
"FRENCH CLASS......"
"Dragon is a fu......."
"Ultra be my meatshield......"
"OOOOOOOoooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh........"
this is grammatically, incorrect....."
"Yes PJ we do have New Year in England....."
And as we draw to conclusion of this 100th post, I would just like to say how I've enjoyed every last insult I've thrown at you all
.
A line of inspiring images appear followed by echoed quotes in the distance.
"I think that......"
"FRENCH CLASS......"
"Dragon is a fu......."
"Ultra be my meatshield......"
"OOOOOOOoooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh........"
this is grammatically, incorrect....."
"Yes PJ we do have New Year in England....."
And as we draw to conclusion of this 100th post, I would just like to say how I've enjoyed every last insult I've thrown at you all
.
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Undead_Mercenary
- Posts: 2914
- Joined: Wed Aug 21, 2002 10:01 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario
ehehehehe....i love tacos....my email is yum_tacos@hotmail.com and my password, well now my old pass word, was yummytacos
im going to buy everyone tacos
-Arch (coughs coughs)
im going to buy everyone tacos
-Arch (coughs coughs)
Açieeed! style by