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12-05-2005 23:00
Physios Called in to Show How to Wrestle Safely at Home
Lock up your children. ITV's new prime-time Saturday night smash, Celebrity Wrestling, is in full swing but producers didn't anticipate it would ignite a UK-wide wrestling craze.
The show sees 12 celebrity contestants battle it out for title of Champion, and now it seems the combat has jumped off screen as grapple madness takes over the nation's families. Mums and dads, brothers and sisters, boyfriends and girlfriends have all been spotted tussling across their front rooms.
To date we've watched reality TV star Major James Hewitt go head to head with gutsy show-jumper Oliver Skeete and TV presenter Jenny Powell slam the mighty Victoria Silvstedt, model and actress, who adds: 'It's really physical, I've got bruising, I'm red and I've banged my head against the floor".
If wrestle mania is gripping your household, the chances are that someone will have pulled a muscle or two so the country's physiotherapists have some well-needed advice.
To keep you and your family safe from injury while tackling this summer's hottest craze, Sammy Margo, physio to the Celebrity Wrestling stars, has teamed with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) to produce a guide no wannabe wrestling champ should be without.
Fans of the primetime show will have seen Sammy treating injuries to Rebel Rider (Oliver Skeete) and our other Celebrity Wrestling heroes. Commenting on the guide, Sammy Margo says:
'Wrestling is great exercise and can be fun for all the family. It improves strength, flexibility, balance and co-ordination and boosts self-confidence. But like all contact sports, it can be dangerous if it's not done properly.
'Our guide shows fans how they can enjoy some of the glitz and glamour of the wrestling world at home, without picking up injuries in the process.'
The CSP's Getting to Grips with Wrestling Guide offers tips on:
Physiotherapists across the UK will also use the guide during Physiotherapy Week 2005, which runs from June 20 to 25 to promote the message that prevention is better than cure.
The Guide
CSP Getting to Grips with Wrestling Guide
Wrestling is great exercise and can be fun for all the family. It improves strength, flexibility, balance and co-ordination and boosts self-confidence. But like all contact sports, it can be dangerous if it's not done properly. Remember that the wrestling heroes we see on TV have had specialist training and know that physios are on-hand to help if they should become injured.
This guide explains how you and your family can enjoy some of the glitz and glamour of the wrestling world at home, without picking up injuries in the process.
So if wrestle mania is sweeping your household, follow these top tips to shape up and avoid injury.
Safe Environment
Decide where the action is going to take place. Whether you're planning to take on your opponent indoors or outdoors, if you're going to 'hit the mat' you want the surface to be soft. Opt for carpet or grass covered surfaces.
Make space for your moves, especially if there's going to be tag team action. Mark out the edges of your arena with cushions. Remove all obstacles and furnishings with hard, pointy edges, e.g. tables and chairs. Keep your arena a good distance away from walls.
Clothing & Protection
'Pile-drive' your way into the action, by stunning your opponent with the perfect outfit. Wear something you can move easily in. Go for the 'Jane Fonda' or Mr Motivator look by donning tight fitting clothing like Lycra. It can make you look and feel good by giving you a slimmer profile. You can even see how you're shaping up as you get grappling fit.
Loose clothing is fine for the body conscious but it can give your opponent an advantage by making you grab-able. Avoid 'sharp shooting' your opponent, and yourself, by removing all jewellery, including piercings and rings. Keep your nails short and long hair tied back.
Protect your smile and prevent sports injuries by investing in a good gum shield. They can protect your teeth, help prevent neck injuries, and protect against concussive forces to the lower jaw by serving as a shock absorber.
They come in a wide range of colours and can help you look more menacing! Invest in a soft helmet as worn by rugby players and amateur boxers.
Stay on your feet with shoes that allow for movement but offer good grip to keep you stable e.g. dance shoes.
Ready for Action?
Not quite. You need to be physically and mentally prepared for the fight and ready to anticipate your opponent's moves:
DO Limber up before your first bout with a few stretches. Get fit to fight by jogging and sidestepping around the arena.
DO psyche yourself up. Focus on winning and visualise yourself emerging victorious from the ring. When you come to face your opponent, eyeball them to make sure they feel the fear!
DO practice 'safe falling'. Hitting the mat is a core part of wrestling culture. Physios know it is also a common cause of injury. If you lose your balance, DON'T resist the fall - go with it. You are less likely to hurt yourself if you relax into the fall.
SAFE FALLING TIPS:
Create a fall friendly environment by padding out your arena with cushions Take the lead from skaters and wear protective elbow and wrist guards Practice - you'll soon figure out what works best for you! DON'T enter the ring with pre-existing injuries. If you've recently sustained an injury, or suffer from back problems, you'd be safer to watch from the sidelines. Why not take on the role of the ref?
The role of the referee
Fair play is important, so a strong referee is a must. It is important that the contenders respect you from the start, so point out that you won't take any bad language or foul play and that your decision is final.
Now.Let the games begin!
Get into character
Give your opponent a 'rude-awakening' by entering the arena displaying your alter ego! Go wild with glitz and glamour, capes and caps, masks and make-up. Finish it off with a stage name like Tigress, Sapphire or Billy the Kid and holler it as you enter your arena - tonight, Robert becomes Bob the Basher!
Bring it on!
While some of the wrestling action you see on TV should remain strictly in the studio, some of the games can be adapted safely to play at home. Avoid any games that involve falling from height or dealing heavy blows to your opponent. Focus on games like Rip Wrestling or Fully Charged. With a bit of creativity and imagination, the whole family can have fun and get fit safely. Here's how:
Rip wrestling: Contenders wear additional clothing over the top of their wrestling costume. On the ref's whistle both contestants attempt to rip the opponent's additional clothing off.
At home: use old, ripped clothing or bed linen to make yourself outfits that will fall apart easily.
The Batons: On the show, contestants use sticks that look like giant cotton buds to push their opponent out of the ring.
At home: Use pillows instead. Try to zone out your opponent with short, sharp blows. Ref's should disqualify any family member who aims for their opponent's head. A low blow to the legs can be an effective tactic!
Fully charged: Contestants wear globes of red or blue light on their costume. Opponents then attempt to punch each other's lights out. The first person to have all their lights put out loses.
At home: Lights look great in a darkened TV studio, but you don't need them at home. Instead, buy a pack of blue and red stickers and stick them onto your costume, taking care not to apply any directly onto skin. Contestants should then battle to remove each other's stickers until one person has no stickers left on their costume.
Cool Down
When your explosive match come to a close, don't just sit back and enjoy your victory, or wallow in the misery of your loss. Warm down properly to help ward off next day stiffness. You should combine gentle stretching exercises with jogging around the garden until the heart rate returns to normal.
On a serious note:
This guide is intended to be light-hearted and fun, but there is a serious side too. Before taking up any new fitness regime or sport, you need to consult with a GP to check that you are medically fit. If your new fitness programme causes you to feel any discomfort, stop immediately and seek expert advice.
To find a chartered physiotherapist, speak to your GP for a referral to your local physiotherapy service or visit www.physio2u.org.uk Click To Linkfor a list of private practitioners in your area
Victoria Silvestdt
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