Modern Pentathlon – an Olympic Sport Rich With History and Facts

Olympic Pentathlon Interesting Information and History

As many people eagerly watch and a few participate in Olympic sporting competitions, most of the sports seem familiar; however, a few may seem somewhat foreign and a bit mysterious. Such may be the case with the pentathlon. How does a 19-century legend of an officer in the French cavalry who went to great lengths to deliver a message eventually become a winter Olympic sport in which 36 men and 36 women currently compete?

The pentathlon was first introduced in 708 BC in which athletes in the 18th Greek Olympiad competed in five areas: running the length of the stadium, jumping, throwing a spear, throwing a discus, and wrestling.

5 Sports in Pentathlon

When looking at the term pentathlon, many would guess that perhaps five elements are involved. According to the London 2012 Olympic pentathlon page, there are, indeed, five different components of the modern pentathlon that include individual, team, and relay portions:

1. Fencing (round-robin tournament in which competitors face each of the other competitors and have one minute to score the first hit for a win)
2. Swimming 200m freestyle (most pentathletes have a swimming background)
3. Horseback riding through a 12-jump course with horses provided through a random drawing (also called equestrian show jumping, this portion is not included in the youth competition)
4. Three sets of shooting at five targets with a 4.5mm compressed or CO2 single shot pistol
5. Running three 1,000m sets (shooting and running are called the combined event)

Competitors are scored in each of the first three elements of the sport. The combined score will determine when each athlete will start in the running/shooting portion of the competition. The first runner to cross the finish line is declared the winner at the conclusion of the final running set.

General George S. Patton Competed in Pentathlon in 1912
Photo from U.S. Library of Congress http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GeorgeSPatton.jpg

The sport has been part of the Olympics for 100 years. George S. Patton competed and placed fifth in the first modern Olympic pentathlon competition in 1912 in Stockholm. Women began to compete in the Olympic modern pentathlon at the 2000 games in Sydney. In 1986 in Atlanta, the modern pentathlon competition was shortened from four or five days to a single day.

Modern pentathletes of a variety of ages compete for points. Learn more about these athletes and their standings at the pentathlon.org biographies page. I found it interesting to learn that a 25-year-old from the United States named Sam Sackson broke the world shooting record for five shots in 9.03 seconds. Some of the forerunner countries in the modern pentathlon according to the current statistics listed on the site are Russia, Hungary, and Ukraine. Andras Balczo from Hungary is one of the most famous Olympic pentathletes, who won three gold medals and two silver medals in the 1960s and early 1970s.

Olympic Modern Pentathlon Reaches 100 Year Mark

I find this to be a very interesting Olympic competition celebrating 100 years that involves a variety of elements, such as agility, speed, coordination, self-discipline, and overall physical fitness. Someone who is an excellent swimmer might not excel at fencing. The fastest runner may not be the best shot. Those who are great at riding could easily struggle with one of the other four facets of the face-off. Being well-rounded is probably key to placing well in the modern pentathlon, and the recent entry of women into the competition could open the playing field for some otherwise unknown athletes. It will be interesting to see how the pentathletes approach the shooting portion when mixed with the running competition as well.

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Exercise Tips for Winter Weather – Cold Injury Prevention

Winter Fitness Tips © Katrena

Many people make a New Year's resolution to become more active and exercise regularly only to discover that winter weather may serve up a roadblock to those plans. Find practical tips for safely exercising in colder months.

How to Stay Fit During Colder Weather © Katrena

Be Prepared for Ice and Snow

Those who live in areas in which temperatures may fall near or below the freezing mark may wish to have a winter exercise back-up plan for exercise, especially if road conditions are too dangerous for driving. Sometimes the weather may actually provide a great family fitness opportunity. My kids love for me to pull them all over the back yard in the sled or to have a good old-fashioned snowball fight. Playing outside in the snow can certainly serve as a great workout, but someone who is typically sedentary who is shoveling snow may quickly become seriously ill.

Prepare for Cold Weather Exercise © Katrena

If planning to exercise in colder temperatures, keep several safety issues in mind:

• Check with a healthcare provider before exercising outside in colder temperatures to ensure that it will be a safe option.
• Use common sense – exercising outdoors during cold weather might be unsafe for someone of any fitness level under certain circumstances.
• It helps to let someone know when you are planning to exercise, where you plan to go, and when you plan to return, especially if hiking in a remote location during winter months.
• Layer clothing (synthetic next to skin to wick away moisture, fleece or wool for warmth, waterproof clothing for the outer layer) and be prepared to remove and replace clothing. Wet clothing will not help to prevent hypothermia.
• Protect hands and fingers with gloves and/or mittens. A waterproof outer layer can help protect the hands from frostbite.
• Protect feet and toes with thick, warm socks and/or layers of socks. Consider carrying an extra pair of socks.
• Protect the head and ears with a hat, toboggan, scarf, ski mask, etc. Ensure that the ears are covered.
• Consider wearing waterproof footwear designed for the weather conditions.
• Remember to drink appropriate fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Protect skin and eyes by using sunscreen (at least 30 SPF), lip balm, and sunglasses.
• Wear a helmet when participating in certain winter sports, such as snowboarding.
• Consider carrying a cellular telephone or some other way of calling for help if necessary and avoid exercising in cold temperatures alone.
• Move into the wind at the beginning of the workout if possible so that the wind will be at your back when heading back home.

Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite © Katrena

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite

Many factors may place someone at an increased risk for injury or health issues while exercising outside in the winter, such as:

• Colder temperatures, especially if the wind is blowing and/or if there is precipitation
• Staying outside for long periods of time
• Age factors, such as those who are 60 years old or older or those who are young, especially infants less than one year
• Certain health conditions, such as asthma, Raynaud's phenomenon, hypothyroidism, certain heart problems, balance issues, or dementia.
• Some medications may make a person more vulnerable to low temperatures
• Poor nutrition
• The use of alcohol

Frostbite is more likely to occur in exposed areas of the body or the extremities, such as the fingers, toes, ears, and nose. This condition occurs if that part of the body is exposed to cold temperatures for too long.

Symptoms of frostbite include:

• Cold, hard, pale skin
• Numbness, although an aching pain may occur

Immediately move to a warm, dry area and avoid rubbing the skin if frostbite has occurred. As the area begins to thaw, the area will usually become red and the person will likely experience a painful burning or tingling sensation. Seek medical attention for serious cases of frostbite because blood vessels may be affected.

People who have frostbite can also develop hypothermia. Hypothermia is defined as having a body temperature less than or equal to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The condition can result in death, particularly in vulnerable populations, and anyone with hypothermia should seek immediate emergency care by trained professionals.

Symptoms of hypothermia include:

• Pale skin and shivering (early) – infants may have bright red skin
• Changes in behavior and thinking – confusion is common and may prevent the person from seeking help appropriately
• Stiffness in the arms, hands, and legs
• Lack of coordination or the inability to move
• Drowsiness, feeling very tired
• Shallow breathing
• Slurred or difficult to understand speech
• Blood pressure and pulse may decrease, become weak, or have unexpected pauses

Options for Staying Safe and Fit in Winter Months © Katrena

Consider Exercising Indoors During Winter Weather

If conditions prevent a person from safely exercising outside during colder weather, consider indoor activities, such as indoor sports, gyms, walking in a mall, or exercising at home, if appropriate. Having a few dumbbells, a resistance band, stability ball, and a jump rope might be quite helpful in creating a great home workout. Exercise videos and podcasts, a boot camp style workout with a list of exercises, or dancing to some favorite tunes may help you to stay on track with a fitness routine despite harsh winter weather.

When exercising outside during colder weather, ensure that the exercises are safe and know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia so that you may seek appropriate shelter and care to prevent serious injury.

Readers may also wish to read:

• Hypothermia Prevention Tips
• Energy Drinks and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combo
• How to Stay in Shape as the Weather Gets Colder

Sources:

• CDC December 23, 1988 article "Hypothermia Prevention"
• Mayo Clinic October 30, 2010 article "Exercise and cold weather: Tips to stay safe outdoors"
• NIH article "Frostbite" last updated on 1/14/2010
• Yale School of Medicine article "Hypothermia" article accessed on 01/21/2012

Tips for Joining a Gym – Get the Most for the Fitness Dollar

How to Keep From Wasting a Gym Membership

Joining a gym is a big decision and a large investment of money, but many people will purchase a membership only to drop it just a few months down the road. Find tips for getting connected, motivated, and enjoying results from a membership at a gym in order to make the most of the investment.

Get the Latest Information on the Hours


Find out the gym hours and ask about scheduled closings as well. For example, a swim team may have meets in the pool or the group exercise room might be scheduled to be closed when the floor is refinished. Some facilities may have affiliates that members may be able to visit for free if one facility is closed for seasonal cleaning.

Gyms may have an altered schedule during holidays or may close due to weather conditions, so it can be helpful to ask about those policies ahead of time to avoid driving to the gym only to be disappointed because it is closed.

Decide on a Schedule

Pick up a schedule of classes and/or sports leagues or find out if that information is regularly updated on the gym's web site. They may post current information such about schedules through social media as well. It helps to choose a schedule that is convenient with one's own lifestyle and time needs.

Many people tend to flock to branded classes, but other classes may also have excellent instructors with more space for exercising. Some exercise classes may require special equipment and/or fees, be open only to certain groups, or require early sign-up, so make sure you know requirements for classes you plan to attend.

Keep in mind that instructors may teach different classes in a different manner and two instructors may teach a class in very different ways. It also helps to have a secondary plan for exercising in case an unexpected cancellation occurs and to be willing to try new classes and/or instructors.

You might ask about when the gym tends to be less busy if you have a flexible schedule and prefer to stay out of crowds. As a general rule of thumb, gyms that offer childcare are often less crowded when the childcare area is closed. Those who like to work out solo or with a buddy will find that it helps to create a schedule for exercising on a regular basis.

Tour the Gym to Get Your Money's Worth

Take a Tour of the Gym Facility

Even if you only have plans to use a single area of the gym, it helps to get a tour so that you are aware of the layout of the gym and all exercise areas and equipment. Sometimes seeing additional areas might encourage one to try something new.

Knowing the location of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, AEDs, and emergency procedures might be something one would never expect to use, but could potentially save a life. It also helps to know where hand sanitizer, bathroom facilities, childcare areas, lockers, etc. are located.

Learn to Safely Use the Equipment

Many gyms offer information on how to safely use equipment, and this can help one to avoid injury. Getting hurt and acquiring medical bills due to a preventable injury can certainly put a damper on a fitness program. Always check with a healthcare provider before starting or changing any fitness routine.

Computerized equipment is available at some gyms that can help members to track their progress, remind them of settings on weight lifting equipment, or provide feedback regarding technique or the overall fitness routine. If a gym offers initial free personal training or the opportunity to talk with a fitness coach, this can be a great opportunity to develop an individualized routine that suits one's own fitness needs.

Discover Incentives and the Social Aspect

Most people get discouraged or bored with a fitness routine at some point. Some gyms will offer incentives in order to keep people motivated or may offer fresh ideas for cross-training. People who are goal-oriented or even a bit competitive may particularly enjoy a fitness challenge. Modest tweaks to a fitness routine might provide much greater results.

Some people particularly enjoy the social aspect of a gym and may find it helpful to develop a network of friends who regularly meet to exercise. Developing new friendships may be time well invested, particularly if those people can serve as a sort of support group or accountability partner.

Make Fitness Worth the Investment

Get the Most for the Money at the Gym

Some people may purchase a gym membership only to discover that they rarely ever use the facility. Becoming familiar with the facility and equipment and developing a fitness plan that is convenient and individualized to meet one's needs may help ensure that the gym membership turns into a wise investment. Making a few good friends along the way can be the icing on the fat-free cake!