‘Pro Sports’ Articles
Written by KineticShift on 01 April 2013
In a surprising move the UCI has announced that Lance Armstrong will get the ultimate “do over,” and will take part in this summer’s 100th running of the Tour de France. Apparently Armstrong had convinced the cycling governing body that he should be given the chance to prove that he can race clean.
In a statement the UCI said, “Mr. Armstrong has admitted his mistakes, but given that much of the peloton was getting some sort of enhancement as well we can’t fault his decision. He did have cancer, which claimed one of his testicles after all. Hasn’t Armstrong paid enough.”
The Tour de France will begin on June 29 in Corsica, the first time the Tour has visited the island Metropolitan department of France.
Tags: Corsica, Lance Armstrong, Tour de France
Posted in Cycling, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 14 March 2013
With opening day for Major League Baseball just weeks away fans might not notice a big difference that might help keep players safe. This year will see the widespread introduction of a new batting helmet. Rawlings, the official provider of helmets to the MLB, is providing teams with the S100 Pro Comp.
This is the latest helmet designed for batters, and it is just a fraction of an inch larger and about an ounce heavier than traditional helmets, but its carbon fiber shell promises to be about 300 percent stiffer and 130 times stronger than helmets made of plastic. It is designed to provide protection against balls thrown at speeds up to 100 miles per hour – compared to the 68mph of the older helmets. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: baseball, batter, Helmet, Major League Baseball, Rawlings, S100 Pro Comp
Posted in Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 02 March 2013
Kabul Skateboards
From Good Is: Students of DIY Workshop Make First Skateboards in Afghanistan
Skateistan began as a Kabul-based NGO, and now operates projects in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and Pakistan, with a second facility opening in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, in 2013. Skateistan focuses on reaching out to girls and working children, using skateboarding as a tool for developing leadership opportunities, and building friendship, trust, and social capital among its students. While skateboarding is the initial way to get students involved, Skateistan is then able to provide access to education and platforms for self-expression that help break the cycles of poverty and exclusion. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 2014 World Cup, Afghanistan, Brazil, e-bikes, Europe, FIFA, goal, goal lines, Kabul, Skateboard, Skateistan, Soccer
Posted in concept, Cycling, Equipment, Low Tech, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 23 February 2013
Tour de Mass
From BikeRadar: Dozens of mass rides planned to celebrate Tour de France 2013
Spectators and riders travelling to the 100th Tour de France will be able to take part in dozens of organised rides unveiled by the race organiser today.
Race organiser ASO said gran fondos and organised rides are being planned in each town “holding a stage” to allow spectators to get a closer experience of the Tour and also contribute to the atmosphere of the world’s biggest race. All the action will take place on Monday 15 July – Fete du Tour day – which coincides with the race’s second rest stop. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: ASO, Campagnolo, coach, Cycling, Exercise, Gran Fondo, Tour de France
Posted in Cycling, Exercise, Gym, Pro Sports, Running | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 22 February 2013
GoPro has announced that it has become a title sponsor for the Vail Valley Foundation’s extremely popular Mountain Games, a celebration of mountain sport, lifestyle and music. The GoPro Mountain Games will be held June 6-9, and will see athletes from around the world compete in nine sports and 25 disciplines including running, cycling, climbing, rafting and slacklining. We’re sure this year will see GoPro provide even more ways for athletes to share the experience with the world.
GoPro Mountain Games Officials Website
Tags: GoPro, GoPro Mountain Games, Summer Mountain GAmes, Vail Valley
Posted in Cycling, Equipment, Outdoors, Personal Electronics, Pro Sports, Running, Water Activities | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 19 February 2013
Even if you can’t dunk like a pro you can take to the court with socks that evoke the pros. Sock maker Stance has introduced its NBA Legends Collection with 10 socks paying homage to basketball greats including Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dennis Rodman, Kenny Smith, John Stockton, Bill Walton and James Worthy. These might not help your game but you can feel like the pros are with you in spirit and on your feet.
Stance Official Website
Tags: NBA Legends Colleciton, socks, Stance
Posted in Equipment, Footwear, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 12 February 2013
Much has been made about concussions and football helmets, but now the Virginia Tech – Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences is looking to expand its ground-breaking research to include hockey, baseball, softball and lacrosse. The five year plan will look to rate helmets worn in those sports and determine the ability the helmets have to lessen the likelihood of a concussion resulting from head impact.
The ratings for the helmets will begin with hockey in the fall of this year, followed by youth football in 2015, and then baseball, softball and lacrosse in 2016.
[Via Product Design & Development: Sports Concussion-Risk Studies to Include Hockey and Baseball]
Tags: baseball, concussion, football, Helmet, Hockey, lacrosse, Research, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences
Posted in Equipment, Pro Sports, Research | No Comments »
Written by Enid Burns on 09 January 2013
Head injuries are getting a lot of attention, all the way from little league teams to the pros. While the focus is primarily on football, other sports including baseball come into play on the issue. A new device, the gForce Tracker (GFT) will help athletes (and parents of younger athletes) track cumulative trauma to help tell players when they need a time out. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: baseball, concussion, football, gForce Tracker, head trauma, Hockey, Return to Play
Posted in Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 31 December 2012
Another year is (almost) behind us. Here are look at the best and worst of 2012 in fitness and well-being.
Worst of 2012 in Sour Grapes –
New York Times Magazine profile of
Lolo Jones
Thank you for your support. KineticShift will see you in 2013!
Tags: Best of 2012, London Olympics, Worst of 2012
Posted in Equipment, Exercise, Gadget, Made in America, Made in the USA, Mobile Phone, Outdoors, Personal Electronics, Pro Sports, Running, Snow Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 28 December 2012
The times are changing in hockey, and as we’ve noted previously so are the materials used in making sticks. This week TheStar.com noted that even peewee players are taking to the ice with high-tech hockey sticks:
A generation ago… an elite team of 12-year-olds might have been lucky to have two players who could give a goalie pause when they pulled the trigger… Those days, when players carried sticks hewn largely from the forests of Ontario and Quebec, are gone. Today, sticks are made in factories from Mexico to China to Vietnam. Constructed of high-tech composite materials and bearing price tags that can reach $300, the sticks can now put dents in both goalie masks and in wallets. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: composite, Hockey, hockey stick, wood stick
Posted in Equipment, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 06 December 2012
Baseball bats come from Louisville – except for those that don’t. But what many fans of America’s pastime don’t likely know is that most – if not all – baseballs are made in Costa Rica or Haiti. In fact most major league balls are produced by Rawling in Costa Rica. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have an American made ball.
Bergino Handmade Baseballs are made in America by the company founded by former sports agent Jay Goldberg. The company makes a range of specialty balls including city maps, and ones with world themes. There are even options for custom balls. So while you may never own a ball signed by Babe Ruth or other greats you can have a ball that is truly all your own.
Bergino Baseballs Official Website
Tags: baseball, Bergino Baseballs, Costa Rica, Jay Goldberg, Rawling
Posted in Low Tech, Made in the USA, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 06 December 2012
Michael Jordan has been off the court for a while now, but don’t expect his signature “Air Jordans” to come down anytime soon. The shoes, which were first launched in 1985 have evolved over the years, and the latest have been spotted – a bit like a UFO. The Air Jordan XX8 fittingly has an “other-worldly” look thanks to the Schoeller mesh that provides a snug fit. Designed for serious basketball, these feature a molded carbon fiber heel counter and Jordan Flight Plate that will help wearer’s react on the court. The Air Jordan XX8 will be ready to take off this winter.
Nike Store: Jordan Shoes Official Website
Tags: Air Jordan, Air Jordan XX8, Basketball, Footwear, Michael Jordan, Shoes
Posted in Footwear, Pro Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 05 December 2012
We’ve seen a lot of unique – even “signature” – basketball shoes but we have to admit, we’re not sure what to make of the Nike Kobe 8 System Basketball Shoes, which were developed in collaboration with Bryant. These are made of Nike Engineered Mesh and feature a graphic snakeskin print – thus evoking Kobe’s Black Mamba nickname. Of course you might need to play like Kobe to pull these off.
Nike Kobe 8 System Basketball Shoes
Tags: Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant, Nike Kobe 8 System Basketball Shoes
Posted in Footwear, Pro Sports | No Comments »
