Fitness and Sport: More

Fly Fishing

Lifelong Pursuits, Joan L. Cannon, Allure: I'd watch the arcs of monofilament lines swirling as if with lives of their own, glistening in the sunlight. In the meadows where the water ran soundlessly, I could hear only the faint purr of the reels, distant crows calling, the cry of a red-tail almost invisible above me

Opinion and Articles

John Malone, Sailing, Part One: It wasn’t until we began sailing in weekend races at the Pymatuning Yacht Club and won the handicap trophy that Papa stopped trying to be in control and let me handle the boat my way. We were notorious for having loud arguments out on the lake, so loud and prolonged that other boat owners used to joke, “Here come the Malone’s, sailing on hot air again!”

Julia Sneden, Branded: Sports venues used to be named after people of achievement, if they weren’t named for the teams that used them. Nowadays, despite the fact that most venues are built at least in part by taxpayer dollars, “naming rights” are sold for large amounts of money

Website

http://trailrunnerx.com/

Everyone's looking for an improved running or walking path, and TrailRunner can help you do just that. TrailRunner 1.8 is essentially a route planning application designed for sports like running, biking, and inline skating. Visitors can create interactive maps, review alternate routes, and export the directions onto their iPod. This version is compatible with Mac OS X 10.3.

Think You're Exercising Enough?

An issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine reports on Effect of Exercise on 24-Month Weight Loss Maintenance in Overweight Women:

Background  Debate remains regarding the amount of physical activity that will facilitate weight loss maintenance.

Methods  Between December 1, 1999, and January 31, 2003, 201 overweight and obese women (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 27 to 40; age range, 21-45 years) with no contraindications to weight loss or physical activity were recruited from a hospital-based weight loss research center. Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 behavioral weight loss intervention groups. They were randomly assigned to groups based on physical activity energy expenditure (1000 vs 2000 kcal/wk) and intensity (moderate vs vigorous). Participants also were told to reduce intake to 1200 to 1500 kcal/d. A combination of in-person conversations and telephone calls were conducted during the 24-month study period.

Results  Weight loss did not differ among the randomized groups at 6 months' (8%-10% of initial body weight) or 24 months' (5% of initial body weight) follow-up. Post-hoc analysis showed that individuals sustaining a loss of 10% or more of initial body weight at 24 months reported performing more physical activity (1835 kcal/wk or 275 min/wk) compared with those sustaining a weight loss of less than 10% of initial body weight (P < .001).

Conclusions  The addition of 275 mins/wk of physical activity, in combination with a reduction in energy intake, is important in allowing overweight women to sustain a weight loss of more than 10%. Interventions to facilitate this level of physical activity are needed.

Trial Registration  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00006315.

Author Affiliations: Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Jakicic and Ms Janney); Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Brown Medical School and The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island (Dr Marcus); and Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Dr Lang).

Who Do You Exercise With?

The Department of Labor released statistics on exercising by age groups and specific sports, These charts, which display data from the American Time Use Survey, take a closer look at people who spend time in sports and exercise activities:

Sports and Exercise Activities among Various Age Groups

The specific sports and exercises people do vary by age. People aged 15 to 24 years were more likely to participate in team sports such as basketball, football, and soccer than those 25 and older. About one-half of those who walked for exercise — the sports and exercise activity that people most frequently engaged in overall — were aged 55 years and older. By contrast, racquet sports were the sports and exercise activities that had the most equal distribution of participants across age groups for those aged 15 to 24 years, aged 25 to 54, and aged 55 and older.

Source: American Time Use Survey | Chart Data

Companions During Sports and Exercise Activities

In the United States, people who exercise were about as likely to exercise alone as with a companion present. Of those aged 15 years and older who engaged in a sports and exercise activity on an average day in 2003-06, about one-half did the activity alone. Men and women were equally likely to exercise alone. But women were more likely to engage in sports and exercise activities with family and men were more likely to engage in these activities with friends.

Source: American Time Use Survey | Chart Data

For the entire report and charts, go to: http://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2008/sports/pdf/sports_bls_spotlight.pdf

Balance and Falls

The American Physical Therapy Association has produced a brochure in pdf format that outlines procedures and exercises that can be adopted to strengthen your balance ability:

"Because falling is such a common and potentially serious problem — 1 in 4 people over the age of 65 (who live at home) will fall during the next year — it’s important to find out what you can do to decrease your risk and improve your general health and mobility.

"In this booklet we will discuss:
• How your body maintains its balance;
• Common problems with balance seen
in older adults; and
• Advice and exercises for improving
balance and preventing falls.

You might also consider the ancient art of tai-chi: "Tai Chi The ancient martial art of tai chi has become very popular in the West in recent years, and classes are often available through community colleges, local recreation centers, YMCAs, community centers, etc. Research has shown that people of all ages — including older adults — often find it to be helpful in promoting balance and preventing falls. An added bonus is that tai chi may add to your sense of emotional well-being."

Download and read the entire booklet, What You Need To Know About Balance and Falls

Article

Roberta McReynolds, Belly Dance Dropout, Part Two: I double-bumped at home while vacuuming the carpet in the days that followed. I practiced undulating belly rolls as I brushed my teeth. My hips moved in figure-8 patterns as my hands seductively folded clean underwear

Charting the Pedometer

Being gifted a pair of pedometers for the Holidays, we thought we'd add to our item reporting on their use with a PBS file:

"A pedometer is a pager-sized device worn on your belt that simply records the number of steps you take based on your body's movement. Some pedometers are analog devices that simply measure steps. Some are fancier digital models that track the distance you walk, plus the calories you burn. But keep in mind, the calorie counters are notoriously inaccurate and those models are more expensive. All you really need is a simple step counter so you can monitor if you walk the recommended 10,000 steps per day."

A pedometer is great for the gadget lovers out there. It's also ideal for the person who simply can't find a hunk of 30 minutes-or even three chunks of 10 minutes-in a day for walking. Just be sure to put a safety string through the pedometer's waist clip and pin it or loop it through a belt loop, so the pedometer isn't dropped down a toilet.

Gear to Go

Using Pedometers to Increase Physical Activity and Improve Health

Data Extraction and Data Synthesis  Two investigators independently abstracted data about the intervention; participants; number of steps per day; and presence or absence of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. Data were pooled using random-effects calculations, and meta-regression was performed.

Results ... Overall, pedometer users increased their physical activity by 26.9% over baseline. An important predictor of increased physical activity was having a step goal such as 10 000 steps per day. When data from all studies were combined, pedometer users significantly decreased their body mass index by 0.38. This decrease was associated with older age and having a step goal. Intervention participants significantly decreased their systolic blood pressure by 3.8 mm Hg. This decrease was associated with greater baseline systolic blood pressure and change in steps per day.

Conclusions  The results suggest that the use of a pedometer is associated with significant increases in physical activity and significant decreases in body mass index and blood pressure. Whether these changes are durable over the long term is undetermined.

From The Journal for American Medical Association

Read more about Pedometer use and the 10,000 step program at the Shape Up America site which lays out the program in logical fashion:

We came to realize that it was pretty nearly impossible for us to get in 10,000 steps in a day without intentionally going out for a walk (or getting on a treadmill).

Here is what we learned about getting started on the 10,000 steps program:

• To avoid injury, you need to work up slowly. If you have any concerns about your joints (ankles, knees or hips) discuss your exercise plans with your physician.
• You will need a good pair of sneakers. We actually prefer a running shoe with plenty of cushion. We noticed that we are wearing out our sneakers and replacing them every six months or so.
• Start out by wearing the pedometer each day for two weeks and don’t do anything to change your normal routine. Before you go to bed, take care to log your steps at the end of the day each day for the entire two-week period. At the end of the second week, take a look at how many steps you are taking each day in the course of living your life. Perhaps on some days it is as few as 700 steps in a day and on other days, it may be as high as 2500 steps.
• If you feel comfortable doing so, take the highest number of steps you have walked on any given day and use that number of steps as your daily step goal. Feel free to select a smaller number of steps as your goal if you prefer. To avoid injury, do not select a higher number. Aim for your goal each day for the next two weeks. Let’s assume your first step goal is 2500 steps. That means that for the next two weeks, you are going to try to walk 2500 steps each day. Before bedtime each night, be sure to log in the number of steps you actually took.
• At the end of that two-week period, review all the steps you took each day and decide if you are ready to add another 500 steps to your goal. Your new step goal is now 3000 steps a day for the next two-week period.
• Continue in that manner, working up as slowly as you wish, until you finally reach the goal of 10,000 steps a day.
• Check with your physician if you experience any pain or discomfort that concerns you. We consider pain a warning signal that something may be wrong. Our goal is to keep you active for the rest of your life. So don’t go overboard and pull a muscle that will put you out of commission. Take it slow. Take it easy.

Articles

Roberta McReynolds, Belly Dance Dropout, Part One: I tried to move my ribcage left and right as I immobilized my neck and shoulders. My hips refused to obey, sliding in the opposite direction instead of remaining still. I received the dubious honor of being the first student to be singled out and assigned to sit in a chair facing backwards

Roberta McReynolds, Exercising my Heritage: I take after my parents when it comes to physical talent. Is that really such a negative thing? I actually excel at my father’s indoor ‘sport’ of catalog browsing. If it ever becomes a sanctioned Olympic event, I’m certain be a serious contender for a medal after so many years in training

Exercise: A Walk in the Park?

From Mayo Clinic Proceedings

" ...walking training in middle-aged and older people bestows health benefits that are akin to those provided by a gymnasium exercise program. The growing body of scientific information regarding the health benefits of walking and of reversing sedentariness is mirrored by a growing public interest in walking as a means of exercise and health."

"Nemoto et al report that walking training in middle-aged and older people bestows health benefits that are akin to those provided by a gymnasium exercise program. This article is 1 of many that speak to the health benefits associated with walking, whether the outcome measurement is blood pressure, as in this article, diabetes, other metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, or mental health. Collectively, these data suggest that, regardless of the study population, walking improves health. This information complements physiological studies that document the role played by inactivity or sedentariness in poor health and in the pathogenesis of obesity. The growing body of scientific information regarding the health benefits of walking and of reversing sedentariness is mirrored by a growing public interest in walking as a means of exercise and health."

Read the rest of the editorial at the Mayo Clinic site

Baseball History in the Archives

Most of us think of baseball history residing in the history and sports records books. The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY had the edge on memorabilia, we assume. Sometimes we see glimpses of artifacts stored in collectors' special rooms dedicated to the sport.

But it's the National Archives that remains a reserve of unsung, untapped records and photographs, such as the picture of Army Air Force Sergeant Joe DiMaggio and Navy Chief Specialist Harold "Pee Wee" Reese autographing baseballs for commanding officers before their respective teams play for the Central Pacific Area Service Championship on July 7, 1944.

There are drawings by George H. Rawlings of a baseball glove submitted in a patent approved on September 8, 1885. (Records of the Patent and Trademark Office, RG 241).

"Perhaps one of the most bizarre baseball-related inventions was the "baseball catcher" by James E. Bennett (Invention Patent #755,209), patented on March 22, 1904. This contraption basically replaced the catcher's mitt with a wire cage placed on the catcher's chest. The object of the invention was to protect the catcher's hands so that the hands would not come in contact with the ball until it was time to throw it back to the pitcher. The invention was a rectangular open-wire frame body reinforced by slotted walls of wood. The impact of the ball on the catcher's chest is protected by springs on the rear wall of the device. After the ball has passed through the open front end, it closes automatically. At the bottom of the device is an opening where the ball passes into a pocket where it is retrieved by the catcher. The device also includes a wire mesh on the top to protect the catcher's face. The patent drawings do an excellent job of illustrating this device."

And finally, all those rabid autograph and baseball card collectors would drool over Ty Cobb's signed draft registration card. It is among the Selective Service System, World War I, Draft Registration Cards, in the custody of the National Archives – Southeast Region.

A Journal of Ramblings Through the High Sierra: July 21 - 31, 1870

By Joseph LeConte

Amid many kind and cheering words, mingled with tender regrets; many encouragements, mingled with earnest entreaties to take care of myself and to keep out of drafts and damp while sleeping on the bare ground in the open air; many half-suppressed tears, concealed beneath bright smiles, I left my home and dear ones this morning. Surely I must have a heroic and dangerous air about me, for my little baby boy shrinks from my rough flannel shirt and broad-brim hat, as did the baby son of Hector from his brazen corslet and beamy helm and nodding plume. I snatch a kiss and hurry away to our place of rendezvous.

After much bustle, confusion, and noisy preparation, saddling, cinching, strapping blanket rolls, packing camp utensils and provisions, we are fairly ready at 10 A. M. Saluted by cheers from manly throats, and handkerchief-wavings by the white hands of women, we leave Oakland at a sweeping trot, Hawkins leading the pack; while the long handle of our frying-pan, sticking straight up through a hole in the bag, and the merry jingling of tin pans, tin cups and coffee-pot — "tintinabulation" — proclaimed the nature of our mission.

We are in high spirits; although I confess to some misgivings when I heard from the Captain that we would ride thirty miles to-day, for I have not been on horseback for ten years. But I am determined not to be an incumbrance to the merry party. We started from Oakland seven in number. One will join us to-night in Livermore Valley. Two others, having gone to Stockton to procure horses, will join us at Graysonville. Without any remarkable incident we rode along the level plain which borders the bay about fifteen miles, and reached our lunch-ground near Hayward, at 1 P. M. Here we fed our horses and rested two hours.

The Mountaineers Collection Centennial

The Mountaineers is a Washington state outdoor club, founded in 1906, to promote the discovery, conservation and documentation of the "mountains, forests and watercourses of the Pacific Northwest." The Mountaineers Club constitution states that the object of the organization is: "to gather into permanent form the history and traditions of this region; to preserve, by protective legislation or otherwise, the natural beauty of the Northwest Coast of America; to make frequent or periodical expeditions into these regions in fulfillment of the above purposes". Henry Landes, first president of the Mountaineers described the mission of the club as: "rendering a public service in the battle to preserve our natural scenery from wanton destruction, and yet make our spots of supremest beauty accessible to the largest number of mountain lovers."

There were 151 initial charter members. Over half of the members were women; four of the women charter members were physicians. Women mountaineers constituted an important contributing membership to the club and are very prominent in many of the early photographs of the Mountaineers outings.

While the Mountaineers Club is the oldest and largest in Washington, the State now has at least nine other clubs with similar aims and activities. Arranged alphabetically these clubs are as follows: Cascadians, organized in 1920, with headquarters in Yakima; Co-operative Campers, 1916, Seattle; Klahhane Club, 1914, Port Angeles' Mount Baker Club, Bellingham; Mount Stuart Club, 1920, Ellensburg; Olympians, 1920, Hoquiam; Sagebrush and Pine club, 1915, Yakima; Spokane Mountaineer Club, 1915, Spokane; Trail Club of Spokane, 1923, Spokane. Of these, the Co-operative campers is far the largest organization, having membership of about 300. Its first aim was to provide inexpensive camping facilities in the parks of Mount Rainier. Other activities have been added and other camping localities have been sought. The Klahhane club and the Olympians are devoted to the Olympic Mountains approaching the Olympic National Forest and the Olympic National Monument from the opposite, north and south, extremities. The Mount Baker Club has been recently reorganized and is now one of the most active clubs in the State. They have for their favorite mountain a huge volume of pictures, clippings, manuscripts and documents comprising what is probably the most perfect history yet compiled of any mountain in America.

You can view by a drop down menu listing the collections available such as 1907 Mt. Olympus, 1921 Glacier Peak and 1924 Mt. Rainer albums. A search capability is also available.

The current Mountaineers site is active and an excerpt from the book depicting the exploits of the club is available.

Exercise Program

Two respected institutions have combined to present a fitness program for older adults. This is a marvelous alternative to subscribing to or otherwise paying for the design of an exercise regime. And who among most of us older women can afford a personal trainer!

This strength-training program was developed by experts at Tufts University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Growing Stronger is an exercise program based upon sound scientific research involving strengthening exercises — exercises that have been shown to increase the strength of your muscles, maintain the integrity of your bones, and improve your balance, coordination, and mobility. In addition, strength training can help reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic diseases, including arthritis.

Growing Stronger - Strength Training for Older Adults: Exercises are done in stages, with an initial warmup to stage three, a warmdown and with additional exercises provided.

The home page of the site includes a link to a questionnaire comprised of seven questions to determine if you should check with your doctor before you start.

Other resources/links on that home page consist of:

• Why strength training? The benefits, research and background.
• Motivation — Motivation tips, setting goals and celebrating success.
• Preparation — Stages of change, equipment needs, safety and more.
• Intensity — How to judge your effort.
• Progression — When and when not to increase intensity, how and why it's important.
• Exercises — From warmup to cooldown.
• Frequently Asked Questions — Frequently Asked Questions about exercise.
• Resources — Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults print-friendly PDF version, fitness and nutrition links and more.

One other source is the NIH Senior Health section: Exercises for Older Adults to Try. Video transcripts are available of the recommended exercises covering strength, balance, stretching and endurance.

An article in News@Nature.com reveals that a single gene determines a big part of mobility in the elderly:

Regular exercise keeps us fit. But not everyone is born equal: a few people get little benefit from physical activity because their genetic makeup doesn't allow it.

Research now shows that the same holds true for the elderly, where the stakes are much higher.

A third of adults over 70 in the US are unable to walk for half a kilometre without difficulty, or to climb up ten steps without having to stop for a rest. Such people are four times more likely to end up in a nursing home, and three times likelier to die before those who are fitter.

Read the rest of the article, Grandpa's genes can keep him fit.

Best Walking Cities

Prevention magazine, in conjunction with the American Podiatric Medical Association, named the top twelve cities best suited for fitness and walking. The joint study surveyed 125 of the most populated cities and then tabulated and weighed 20 criteria of interest to pedestrians. Areas examined include crime, mass transit, air quality, and the number of historic sites, museums, parks and gyms each city has.

Jersey City, NJ
Most people don’t associate this gritty metropolis with a stroller’s paradise. However, with more than 13,000 residents per square mile, Jersey City is one of the most densely populated yet pedestrian-friendly places in the country.

New York, NY
Efforts such as Safety City, a traffic and walking safety program for school kids, and spruced up fitness paths along the Hudson River show that New Yorkers walk more than anyone else in the country.

Philadelphia, PA
Home to the most podiatrists per capita and having its own foot museum, Philadelphia is a walking enthusiast’s paradise. Mayor John Street leads annual city walks and awards “frequent mover miles.” The implementation of sidewalk extensions to shorten crossing distances has convinced a whopping 37% of downtown residents to walk to work.

Chicago, IL
Chicago’s lakefront has 18 miles of paved trails and greenery, all reserved for pedestrians and bikers.

Madison, WI
Walking has been a high priority here since the 1960s, when the city planners enforced a conscious decision to not have a major highway running through the middle of town.

St. Louis, MO
In addition to Gateway Arch, St. Louis abounds in cultural attractions. Most attractions are free, but if museums aren’t your thing, it’s possible to explore the city’s downtown sections. St. Louis walkers devote more than 30 minutes, on average, to their exercise sessions.

El Paso, TX
This Texas city ranked number one in two vital APMA areas: number of walking sessions residents incur per month (20) and number of miles walked per session (2.3).

San Antonio, TX
Boasting 157 miles of natural creek ways, unique geography allows San Antonio walkers to test their stamina over the course of one long walk. Air quality is outstanding: the study scored the city’s air quality index 94 out of a possible 100.

Washington, DC
The nation’s capital features one of the finer pedestrian thoroughfares anywhere in the National Mall. Washington’s extensive public transportation system — with nearly 25 miles per capita — makes it easy to move around town.

Honolulu, HI
All-encompassing spectacular views aside, the city offers year-round sunshine and 26 museums, making it a top destination for avid walking. Honolulu’s Transportation Service has widened sidewalks along Kalakaua Avenue, making this a walking mecca.

San Diego, CA
Aside from the weather, there are two reasons why San Diego is highly walkable: good places to walk, and great things to walk to. Each year 37 million people flock to San Diego’s 53 museums, 15 of which are situated in walker-friendly Balboa Park. San Diego’s vibrant downtown is also preparing for a new, foot-accessible baseball park.

San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s government devotes 13 city agencies to walking issues and gets input from walking advocacy groups. Recent policy wins include longer walk sequences at traffic lights and funding for a Pedestrian Master Plan.

See below for Clothing and Equipment for Sports and Fitness

Links

• Adventures in Good Company-  A sampling of upcoming trips in 2008 for women of all ages with a wide range of  high quality, affordable domestic and foreign  adventures from this Minnesota based company:  International trips include Discovering Spain, Sea Kayaking in the Grecian Isles, Bulgaria's Mountains and Monasteries, Canadian Rockies Hiking, Tour du Mont Blanc, Trekking to Machu Picchu, Hiking the Julian Alps and Trekking in Bhutan. All these trips have flexibility for the participants, according to their experience and needs. Domestic trips include a Navajo Land Trek, 'Almost Heaven' West Virginia, Boundary Waters Retreat, Hoofin It In the Grand Tetons and Paddling the Alton Lake Loop.

• A History of Fly Fishing - Dr. Andrew Herd's site includes topics from his book including the origins of the sport, fly fishing in medieval times, techniques in the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as Walton and his contemporaries. Special features include Dr. Herd's favorite books, refinishing old silk lines, fly fishing for coarse fish and salt water fly fishing.

  Read Susan Purdy's account of fly fishing in Kentucky Karma

• American Council on Exercise — Even though this is more of a professional site (ACE sets standards for fitness professionals and is a fitness certifying organization) many of the articles culled from other sources are helpful to the lay person.
  
• American Hiking Society - A nationwide list of hiking clubs; most have local trail maps and operate organized guided hikes. There's also the possibility to be a volunteer on the trails and a number of those vacations are geared towards women and take place in a number of different states. The volunteer's role is to rake, shovel, trim, lop, and chop trail miles that, without these crews, would be unsafe for foot travel. Joining will avail you of a monthly magazine. Refer to Jane Brody's article on Hiking preparedness for tips on getting ready for those treks.

• Archery Links - For a global sport that might appeal to the older woman, archery received some attention when actress Geena Davis took it up.  Yahoo! and the Open Directory provide links,  The National Archery Association uses state by state links for local information.

• Athleta - This firm, based in Petaluma, CA carries products from companies such as Patagonia, Marmot and Adidas as well as designing their own technical outdoor and running apparel and a fitness line of Athleta Essentials. Their tag line is Where Women Gear Up and that's where the emphasis is. 

• Interactive Baseball Rules The quizzes offered on this page are based on the Official Baseball Rules and the Casebook interpretations as published by Major League Baseball but they also pertain to most other levels unless specifically stated otherwise. Set the appropriate options and choose one the quizzes, select the "Generate My Quiz!" button and your quiz will be presented.

• Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers - Ellen Roney Hughes, the Smithsonian curator for this site describes it thusly: Highlighting artifacts from the Smithsonian's sports collection, the exhibition spotlights the pioneering men and women who dominated their sports; championed their country, race, or sex; and helped others to achieve. Both on and off the playing field, these undaunted individuals broke records for themselves and broke barriers for us all."

• Croquet Links - The US Croquet Association provides links to rules of the game as well as history, courses, books, videos and a calendar of major events; a worldwide compendium of links relating to tournaments, courses, vacations and even wallpaper. There's the Oxford University site which includes on-screen tutorials, coaching notes, refereeing and lawn care and construction. The Oxford site also includes a file on the history of the sport from 1066 to 1400 AD. Oakley Woods is a commercial site with a link to its offering of deadness boards for sale if you're into serious scoring. (Editor's note: one of our prized tag sale finds is an antique hand-made set of hoops)

• GORP: Great Outdoor Recreation Pages: - A thorough-going site that covers such activities Women Only Trips, Hiking, Birding, Biking, Snorkling/Scuba, Caving, Ski/Snow sports, Fishing. There are features involving visiting experts, health tips, information for the disabled, vacation recommendations both domestic and foreign.

• The Physician and Sportsmedicine Online - Peer-reviewed monthly journal primarily written for the physician. Topics can be fairly technical in nature but there are articles on mental health, nutrition, personal fitness, rehabilitation, safety, skin care, sports equipment and apparel, strengthening exercises, weight control and women's health. 

• Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures is just one fly flying instruction outfit that caters to women exclusively. Located in Victor, Idaho just over the border from Jackson Hole, Wyoming and with a staff of five female guides. Trips include those to Alaska, Costa Rica, the Tetons, Jackson Hole and other locales. Some of the excursions welcome boyfriends and husbands while some are just for women.

If you want to read A treatyse of fysshynge wyth an Angle by Dame Juliana Berners who has been termed a fictional character by some, there is a copy online. (For a more romantic view of a woman angler, a McCalls July 31 cover sets a fashionable tone)

• U.S. Masters Swimming - Discussion forums, current record times and databases about pools in the U.S. Size of the organization is currently over 36,000 from age 19 to more than 100 years old.

• Swimmers Guide Online - An international, descriptive directory of publicly accessible listing  8,230 facilities with 8,739 full-size, year-round pools in 85 countries. The breakdown of the listing includes name, telephone number and address of the facility;  a description of the pool(s) , often with water temperature and number of lanes or width; admission information, including (where available) drop-in prices and discounts for members of affiliated groups and facilities, for senior citizens, and for guests registered at nearby hotels.


Clothing and Equipment for Sports and Fitness

• AltrecCom  - A vast selection of outdoor equipment for camping, hiking, snow sports etc. Easy to see enlargements, buying guides, on line help, reviews by consumers and charts for comparison. Advice for older skiers who might be interested in a less traumatic sport such as snow boarding. There are tips on how to buy equipment and clothing as well as tips on cleaning and repairing gear.  Advice and feature articles on:camping, hiking, cycling, climbing, paddling, skiing, snow boarding, snowshoeing,  flyfishing and trail running gear. 

• Ex-Officio Clothing - The clothing line is great for travel: light, breathable, well detailed, perfect for exploring both literally and figuratively. The detailing (extra pockets) only adds to the appeal and practicality during travel as well as clothes that are convertible or dual purposed such as the skort and pant/short combinations. Since I'm always on the lookout for pants and shorts that fit my measurements,  I find this resource one the best for casual and travel clothing.

• Kiefer - This site is named for an 1936 Olympic gold medallist in swimming. Started in 1946, this is one of the U.S.'s largest swim and pool equipment companies. This site is directed towards providing equipment and swimsuits for both the competitive and the recreational swimmer. There's a full range of children's accessories for pool and beach: learn-to-swim belts, swim tubes as well as therapy and fitness suits and accessories. The story of  Adolph Kiefer is an interesting side trip when you're looking at the site.

• Title Nine Sports - A collection of fitness and sportswear from different manufacturers for women of all ages, with an emphasis on practicality, long wear and comfortable fit. The return policy if any item, at any time, for any reason for a full refund or exchange. Send Title Nine your measurements and they can reference sizing of the items to your particular form. A printed catalog is available.