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Author Topic: Bowling Affects on the Body  (Read 2250 times)

OLI

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Bowling Affects on the Body
« on: June 30, 2003, 07:37:47 PM »
Recently I was asking a friend why he had bowled in a year.  He informed me that he had surgery on his right shoulder or tendons.  His right side muscules were so much more developed then his left that it started causing pain.

This got me to thinking about my workouts that I stopped to improve my bowling.  I started back working out last week and was shocked at how weak my left side was.  I could not curl 20 pounds with my left arm.  I could not left 10 pound laterally.  On the right side I could curl 35 pounds and laterally lift 20 pounds.  This is a problem I have to fix. I am working on developing the left side to equal the strenght of the right.

Any comments and has anyone noticed the difference?
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Pinbuster

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #1 on: July 01, 2003, 10:46:28 AM »
Yes.

Besides the obvious wear and tear on the arm and shoulder used there is a lot of wear and tear on the slide/plant knee. Many bowlers also experience back trouble as the muscles on one side of their back develop more to pull up the other side carrying the ball.

One should have a regular exercise routine that works both sides of the body to mitigate these effects.

OLI

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #2 on: July 01, 2003, 10:56:29 AM »
Pinbuster,
  How many bowlers realize these things?  It points to the fact that bowlers are athletes that require training, practice and skill development.
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Edited on 7/1/2003 11:00 AM
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HamPster

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #3 on: July 01, 2003, 11:06:52 AM »
That's really weird though, cause left arm and hand are a ton stronger than my right.  If I was more coordinated with my left hand, I'd switch today!  Lol, I can do everything to shooting a basketball to executing a perfect release with my left hand.  I've spent hours at home bowling at my couch trying to be able to get a release from my right hand identical to how I can throw it with my left.  It's dumb!
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OLI

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2003, 12:22:49 PM »
generalsleo,
Start with 5 to 10 pounds.  Use a bench or chair, lay you arm across the chair and roll the weight completely out to your fingertips and back to a curl.  Repeat this motion 10 to 15 times.  Do this 3 times a week. Give yourself a day rest in between. Try this with 5 pounds and progress.
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mumzie

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2003, 02:15:08 PM »
generalsleo,
Also try acupuncture. It can help relieve the pain and swelling/inflammation a fantastic amount. Also - are you using any kind of wrist support? It will help a lot towards relieving that pain, and not re-causing the inflammation.

In general, check out the "bowling specific workout" by Jeff Briggs.
great program. I'm going to a gym this week to find a trainer that will work with me and that program, but work around a couple of injuries.


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MrH

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2003, 02:23:46 PM »
Yeah, try a wrist support.  It has helped me a lot.  I threw like 24 games in 24 hours without one right when I started bowling (dumb thing to do, I know now) and my arm wasn't strong enough.  I ended up bowling in my league still for like a month or two.  Then I was forced to stop because I had such a bad case of tendinitis in my forearm (also called tennis elbow).  I now use a wrist support and it helps a lot.  I no longer have to worry about my wrist position during my approach and release.  I bought a cobra 3, and it's worked pretty well.  Hope this is of some help.

srlunatic

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #7 on: July 01, 2003, 02:26:41 PM »
For me, working out in the gym has been a huge boost to my bowling.....

advantages.......increased lower body strength...especially legs...has helped lead to a much more stable and strong position at release. Have been able to increase ball speed without having to try and speed up my approach or change anything that may effect my timing.  Also, have noticed that I can bowl a lot longer without any effects of tiring and fatigue.  A good combination of cardio and weights has really helped me quite a bit.  When lifting it is not a huge amount.....but try to do 3 sets....10-12 reps...2 minute intervals....3 exercises per body part.  Only negative I can think of is trying to time when you work out certain body parts as don't want to have a leg work out and have a 20 game marathon the next day........
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Smash49

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #8 on: July 01, 2003, 03:52:49 PM »
Oli

As we all get older we realize this one way or another.  I keep my chiropractor in business with my left hip and shoulder(football).  A combination of football, bowling and other sports takes it toll.  One of the best things I have found for working out evenly is the bowflex.  At one time I used free weights and found I had restricted movement.  With the bowflex I have more flexibility.

Smash49
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NevadaBowl

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #9 on: July 01, 2003, 03:58:40 PM »
I have some finger problems and tennis elbow in my bowling arm, but nothing that really has a big effect.

More often than anything, bowling just gives me a headache and threatens my mental well-being.

10 In The Pit

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2003, 03:24:49 AM »
Speaking of squeezing a soft rubber ball about the size of a baseball, regular squeezing a tennis ball works out pretty good too.  You can do this while you are just sitting around, or watching TV, or whenever you get the chance.  A tennis ball has a good amount of resistance, yet it will give somewhat too.  I've tried 'em out before, and they do help out.....it helps with fingers, hand, and wrist.

OLI

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Re: Bowling Affects on the Body
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2003, 08:42:06 AM »
Smash49,
  I use free weights myself.  I told my wife that I want a bowflex for either my birthday or Christmas.  I am going to Scott AFB, IL to put one on layaway.  She will make the payments.
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OLI - USAF Retired and Pro Shop Operator
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