Archive for October, 2007
October 30th, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
The demise of cells by programmed cell death referred to as apoptosis, a Greek
word that means “dropping off“ or “falling off“ as in leaves from a tree, has been
recently a topic of intense interest in biomedical sciences. Apoptosis is a well-
defined sequence of morphological changes of cells that shrink and condense and
then fragment, releasing small membrane-bound apoptotic bodies, which are
phagocytosed by other cells. Importantly, the intracellular constituents are not
released into the extracellular milieu where they might have deleterious effects on
neighboring cells. On the contrary, cells that die in response to tissue damage or
other reasons exhibit very different morphological changes generally called
necrosis. The cells that undergo this process swell and burst, releasing their
intracellular contents, which can damage surrounding cells and often cause
inflammation. Apoptosis refers to a particular morphology in which a chromatin
condenses or coalesces to a heterochromatin in one or more masses in the nucleus.
It usually settles along still-intact nuclear membrane referred to as margination of
the chromatin. One of the essential functions of apoptosis is the elimination of cells
in which DNA damages, faulty proliferation or improper adhesion to extracellular
matrix that cannot be repaired. In cancer cells, the mechanism of apoptosis
induction is broken. Therefore, more and more ideas and hypotheses for selective
inducing apoptosis in cancer cells are tested in a growing number of laboratories all
over the world. The subject of programmed cell death has been recently discussed
in almost 80 000 publications. As it is known, cell apoptosis may be induced by
various stress factors (e.g. hypoxia, expression of oncogenes, mutations, DNA
damages). On the other hand, apoptosis may be induced via internal or external
signals, for instance proteins. Some of such endogenous and exogenous
proapoptotic proteins have been found and described. Their genes may be used in
modern anticancer therapies.
For example, introducing into cancer cells proapoptotic genes as Bax, Bcl-X5 or
E2F-1 significantly increases induction of apoptosis. Some clinical trials concern
therapeutic application of a 121-amino acids apoptin originated from chicken
anemia virus (CAV). Recent data suggest that apoptosis induced by this protein
involves caspases, a family of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinases. In vitro
results show that apoptin is very active against cancer cells without inducing toxicity
to normal cells. This tumor-specific effect may be explained by the nuclear
localization of the protein in tumor cells required for its action. Moreover, apoptin is
equally active, such as p53-mutant, Bcl-2-overexpressing or BCR-ABL-expressing
tumor cells. Other investigations showed that E4orf4 induces apoptosis in cancer
cells by linking with 2A (PP2A) phosphatase. Unfortunately, induction of apoptosis
by introducing genes encoding proapoptotic proteins has been little known. One
possible mechanism is associated with destruction of mitochondrial membranes
and, in consequence, disturbing electrons transport, oxidative phosphorylation and
ATP synthesis. Finally, the cell dies but the death is slightly different than that
during typical apoptosis induced by caspases due to prolonged time of this process.
Proapoptotic proteins cannot be directly introduced to cancer cells because there
are no specific receptors. They are transported through membranes in complexes by
special fusion proteins called ligands.
Other method is introducing them as genes by vectors and this approach has been
already successfully applied. Clinical trials are presently underway to test efficiency
of new apoptosis-triggering drugs. A large number of adenoviral agents are being
constructed, including replication-incompetent and replication-selective oncolytic
adenoviruses. One of them is ONYX-015, a replication-competent virus genetically
engineered to selectively replicate in and lyse p53-deficient cancer cells. Other
agent, INGN 201, was shown to deliver a p53 expression. Preclinical studies in
human cell lines and animals with head and neck cancers have shown that the p53
gene is transcribed and translated into p53 protein. Respectively, 5% and 58% of
patients receiving three intratumoral injections of INGN 201 in conjunction with
radiation therapy for over 6 weeks were shown to have achieved complete and
partial responses. Other example may be a gene encoding the proapoptotic Vpr
protein that was successfully transferred into cancer cells by the HIV-1 virion. These
agents are introduced by intravascular infusion or intratumoral or epitumoral
injections. An example of a target therapy against cancer is an intravenous
administration of liposomal form of tretinoin (ATRA). Treatment of acute
promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with ATRA alone or in combination with chemotherapy
results in an almost complete remission rate as high as 85% to 95%.
Other proapoptotic anticancer therapeutics is Genasense developed by the Genta
Company. Genasense is a phosphothioate oligonucleotide consisting of 18 modified
DNA bases. First, the single-stranded DNA molecule must be incorporated into a
cancer cell and then target the mRNA by having a complementary sequence to it.
This drug inhibits the production of a protein known as Bcl-2 that is widely
expressed in many types of cancer. This up-regulation of Bcl-2 blocks the release
of cytochrome C from the mitochondria thereby preventing apoptosis. Furthermore,
Bcl-2 appears to be a major contributor to both inherent and acquired resistance to
current anticancer treatments. By inhibiting production of Bcl-2, Genasense enables
the cancer cells to be killed by apoptosis when treated with current state of the art
therapy. Interesting apoptosis-inducing drug is Velcade jointly developed by NCI
and Millenium Pharmaceuticals. Activity of Velcade is mainly associated with
reversible inhibition of the proteasome and building up many proteins including
BAX. In the normal cells, the BAX protein induces apoptosis by blocking the activity
of Bcl-2. When BAX level increases, BAX inhibition of Bcl-2 also increases and the
cells undergo apoptosis. Non-clinical studies have demonstrated that cancer cells
are more sensitive to the effects of the proteasome inhibition than normal cells.
Selected references
Adachi, S.L.L., Carson, D.A., Nakahata, T., 2004. Apoptosis induced by molecular
targeting therapy in hematological malignancies. Acta Haematologica 111, 107
-123.
Ferreira, C.G., Epping, M., Kruyt. F.A.E., Giaccone, G., 2002. Apoptosis: Target of
Cancer Therapy. Clinical Cancer Research 8, 2024-2034.
Ghobrial, I.M., Witzig, T.E., Adjei, A.A., 2005. Targeting Apoptosis Pathways in
Cancer Therapy. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 55, 178-194.
Hengartner, M.O., 2000. The biochemistry of apoptosis. Nature 407, 770-776.
Lowe, S.W., Lin, A.W., 2000. Apoptosis in cancer. Carcinogenesis 21, 485-495.
Tamm, I., Dorken, B., Hartmann G., 2001. Antisense therapy in oncology: new hope
for an old idea? Lancet 358, 489-197.
Tamm, I., Schriever, F., Dorken, B., 2001. Apoptosis: implications of basic research
for clinical oncology. Lancet Oncology 2, 33-42.
This article was translated by mLingua Worldwide Translations
October 24th, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
There are loads of places on the Internet where you can find helpful mesothelioma lung cancer information and advice… you just have to know where to look. The most recommended resources are explained in greater detail below.
Mesothelioma Message Boards
Mesothelioma message boards are an excellent venue for obtaining mesothelioma lung cancer information and advice, because usually the members are fellow sufferers like yourself. Some of them may also contain doctors or other medical professionals that are responsible for treating or researching the disease. The specific format of the message board will depend on which one you’re visiting. Most will allow participation from all members through ‘threads’ which are simply various topics pertaining to mesothelioma. Others will be in a Question and Answer form, where you can ask a question about mesothelioma and receive an answer either from another member or, more preferably, an expert on the disease.
Websites Created by Mesothelioma Lawyers
Now, you may be thinking that websites created by mesothelioma lawyers can’t possibly give you all of the information and advice that you would need. But surprisingly, many of these sites don’t focus just on how you can get a settlement through the disease. Some of them will explain what the disease is, provide links to legitimate mesothelioma sites and also provide resources on mesothelioma cancer treatment centers.
Mesothelioma Research Organizations
Mesothelioma research organizations are a great venue for finding the latest on mesothelioma lung cancer information and advice. The easiest way to find these organizations is to type in ‘mesothelioma research’ into your search engine. You will still have to sift through the useless mesothelioma sites, but since the keyword is more focused, you’ll be more likely to find something more worthwhile.
Mesothelioma Support Groups
The nice thing about mesothelioma support groups is that they help take the issue of
mesothelioma offline. Specific information and advice can be derived from members of the group, if they have anything to offer. Even if they don’t, participating in a mesothelioma support group is still useful. Why? It’s because it allows you to connect with other people going through the same problems as you. Unlike non-mesothelioma sufferers, they truly understand the difficulties associated with having to live with an illness that has such a dire prognosis. And while such networking won’t provide a treatment that is ‘guaranteed’ to prolong your life, at least it will keep things psychologically and emotionally in order for you.
If you want to learn more about asbestos mesothelioma cancer then please check out my website for more information and advice. http://www.AsbestosMesotheliomaCancer.net
October 21st, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Another very serious subject and not to be dealt with glibly, so I will not be making bold claims about a cure all.
It seems that cancerous cells are present in all of us but when our immune system fails to kill these cells they multiply rapidly.
Our immune systems needs a good diet to be able to function correctly and it is for this reason why scientists recommend 5 helpings of fresh fruit and veg a day:
- Poor levels of vitamin C have been linked with cancer of the oesophagus, larynx and the cervix.
- Cervical cancer has also been associated with low levels of folate and vit B6.
- Low levels of beta carotene are linked with cancer of the larynx, lung, stomach, large bowel and the bladder.
- Fibre is thought to be vital protection against cancer of the colon, rectum, prostate, uterus and breast.
The theme that seems to apply to all health problems is a good diet, which is based on a moderate intake of unrefined complex carbohydrates, moderate amount of protein, low amounts of saturated fat, plenty of fresh fruit and veg.
Berries contain ellargic acid, gallic acid, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acid and lignans all of which, are thought to fight against the development of cancer. I am not sure if we are talking about every type of berry or a combination of different berries here, most likely the latter. Phenolic compounds from Blueberries apparently limit cancer cells ability to multiply and can also kill them.
Certain mushrooms apparently suppress oestrogen production, especially in post menopausal women. I have read a claim that 60% of pre-menopausal women and 75 % of post menopausal women with breast cancer had excess oestrogen, which had triggered the cancer. The mushrooms contain a phytochemical called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). This inhibits the protein that makes oestrogen. If you know the name of the mushrooms containing the CLA please let me know. Since I first wrote this I have read up some more and looked at a few forums. It seems a number of mushrooms are quite useful for varying reasons, but I still cannot find a source to confirm which mushrooms contain CLA.
Selenium is a very important antioxidant. In some countries, such as the UK, levels of selenium in the soil are very poor. Therefore it would seem important to supplement the diet. Brazil nuts are a good natural source of the mineral.
- Pomegranates - research has shown the juice maybe able to prevent prostate cancer.
- Red grapefruit contains lycopene, as do tomatoes and sweet red peppers, which is a potent antioxidant. Grapefruit is also a good source of limonoids and vitamin C, both shown to have anticancer properties.
As I said earlier cancer is a very serious subject and I feel loathed to make claims about natural cures for the condition. Personally I rather prefer to talk about doing everything we can to prevent cancer from developing in the first place. Herbs play a strong role in this but you may wish to look at this site if you unfortunately do have cancer. I have no association with the site.
Please feel free to discuss your experiences with me.
Philip has years of experience in studying and using herbal and homeopathic remedies and wants to share his knowledge through his website and forum at:
http://theapothecary.890m.com - theapothecary.890m™ is a trademark of Philip Bailey.
October 18th, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Prostate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor (growth) that is made up of cells from the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men and the second highest cause of deaths from cancer, after lung cancer. It is a complex disease that predominantly affects older men and is normally one of the more slowly growing cancers.
Cancer is most frequently caused by injury to one or more of a cell’s genes. Cancer cells that get to be very abnormal can break off from a tumor and spread (also known as metastasize). Cancer cells that spread to other areas of the body can create tumors that can grow and squeeze other body parts. Cancer that develops in the prostate may stay localized (solely contained within the prostate) for years and cause few noticeable symptoms.
Prostate cancer doesn’t occur overnight but slowly emerges over time as a result of progressive changes in cell structure and behavior. It is found more in some racial and ethnic groups than in others, though medical experts don’t understand why. Prostate cancer is more commonplace among African American men than among white men. Men with a family link to prostate cancer through brothers or fathers also are at a greater risk of getting the disease under 50.
Prostate Cancer Treatment
Treatment is individual to every case and some types of prostatitis can be harder to treat, especially if symptoms have been ignored over a long period of time. Treatments vary and can including antibiotics, non steroid anti-inflammatory agents, muscle relaxants and often medications for chronic pain.
Treatment can bestow extra years of life for the patients and stop the agony of the disease, but cannot ordinarily cure them. Prostate problems can usually be treated without affecting sexual performance. Treatment for prostate cancer works best as long as the disease is found early. Treatment is painless, though some men may experience diarrhea, urinary problems and dry skin. It will be up to your attending physician to choose which treatment options will work best.
Prostate Cancer Detective work
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, have found that the hormone estrogen plays a major part in about half of all prostate cancers. They have isolated the first mutant gene known to raise the risk of prostate cancer, possibly by so much as three times. Research continues to better comprehend the link between genetic mutations and prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms caused by enlarged prostate growth can embody:
- Difficulty when passing urine
- The need to urinate more often, especially at night
- Blood in the urine
- Painful sensations when passing urine
- Pain in the back and/or pelvis linked with urinary problems.
- Symptoms of prostate cancer don’t normally appear until the cancer is in it’s advanced stages.
Prostate cancer isn’t always an aggressive disease and is very rare in men under 50. Prostate cancer is unlike any other cancer because it is relatively slow-growing and though it can kill, it often isn’t lethal.
If you enjoyed this article on Prostate Cancer you can find many more at http://www.prostate-cancers.info
Cancer has killed more of my family than anything else. Make sure you don’t die through a lack of knowledge. More informative articles on Prostate Cancer are available here
October 15th, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Lactic Acid Bacteria: Bacteria With Health Benefits
Probiotics are living bacteria or other microorganisms which are beneficial to health when consumed. Probiotics can be helpful for gastrointestinal infections, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are probiotics that have numerous potential therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Recent studies with in vitro cell culture clearly demonstrate the anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects of LAB. Scientific reports indicate that LAB cultures administered to animals inhibit liver, colon, bladder and mammary tumors. (Reference: Lactobacillus Molecular Biology: From Genomics to Probiotics ISBN: 978-1-904455-41-7)
Lactobacillus
The human intestine contains an huge collection of microorganisms. Scientific studies indicate that these gut microbes regulate energy harvest from the diet and participate in the peripheral body metabolism. Most probiotic strains are strains of Lactobacillus. The results of a recent evaluation of the role of probiotic Lactobacillus strains in natural infections in animals and humans indicate a promising future for coming generations of probiotics. Probiotic strains are being thoroughly characterized and it has been suggested that the best results may arise from mixes of probiotic strains with complementary characteristics, tailormade for different gastrointestinal diseases. In addition, strains of Lactobacillus may soon play a role as delivery systems for vaccines, immunoglobulins and other protein based therapies. (Reference: Lactobacillus Molecular Biology: From Genomics to Probiotics ISBN: 978-1-904455-41-7)
Clostridium in Anti-cancer Therapy
The bacterium Clostridium is being considered as an alternative strategies to selectively target and destroy cancer cells especially for the treatment of solid tumors. Scientific research has shown that various non-pathogenic strains of Clostridium have been shown to infiltrate and selectively replicate within solid tumors. Strains of Clostridium could in the future be used to deliver therapeutic proteins directly and specifically to the solid tumor. This potential has been demonstrated in preclinical models. Such tumor-specific therapy is important as the anti-cancer agents need to be targeted specifically to the tumor. However, bacterial systems for tumor-specific therapy has not yet undergone clinical trials. (Reference: Clostridia: Molecular Biology in the Post-genomic Era ISBN: 978-1-904455-38-7)
Recent scientific developments in microbiology at the Microbiology Blog and details of microbiology conferences, meetings, symposia, workshops and advanced courses at Microbiology Conference
October 5th, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Thermobaric Repatterning is a systems approach to healing based on analysis of the energy matrix (the Thermobaric Matrix) of a biological system. Simply, it looks at a person as being a dynamic field of energy expressing as patterns and vectors of variation of heat, pressure and motion identified with and resulting in chemical and morphological effects on physiological form and function.
Space does not permit inventorying of all factors constituting the Thermobaric Matrix of individuals.
Among the range of factors considered in analyzing the functional activities, damage and adaptive responses possible, the analysis considers the history and current status of:
Heat Vectors: representing differences in energy exchange and may vary depending on the composition and density of material (blood, internal organs, muscle, scar tissue), degree and type of heat exchange (radiation, conduction, convection or evaporation), behavioral and environmental factors (digestion of various foods effecting metabolic rate; rate and depth of respiration; altitude; climate; type of clothing and bedding) that may induce an increase in thermodynamic activities or a decrease.
Pressure Vectors: represents changes in the rate of blood flow, osmotic exchange across the lungs or in digestion or elimination as well as the total biological references to environmental and behavioral events (air travel in partial pressurized flights, altitude adaption, athletic activities and adaption to stress.
Motion is a vector for all changes in thermodynamic activity. It enables analysis of the complex dynamics of material fatigue due to repeated thermodynamic stress, changes in the biologic inventory caused by chemical and drug exposures, “state of being” imprinting due to emotional or physical conditions and cumulative changes not predicted by individual factors.
Beginning with a detailed Medical and Personal History, the functional Thermobaric Matrix is mapped. The map projects the cumulative effects of the history and current condition of the individual. The map also identifies where thermodynamic repatterning is called for and the adjustments of particular organ system to changes. This enables more accurate choices in applying therapies and anticipates probable reactions or healing crises as the functional matrix corrects or is subjected to further stress. Knowing the status of an individual’s matrix enables reduction in risk, optimization in care, and greater probability of success for appropriate therapies.
Use of the Thermobaric Matrix in research of infectious diseases, chemical exposures and environmental sensitivities enables common factors to be quickly identified and appropriate warning, treatment, and public health response to take place.
For further information and Special Reports on Cancer, Hereditary Anemias, AIDS and Syphilis contact http://www.joanmckenna.net
Joan McKenna is a research scientist who has specialized in thermodynamic phenomena for thirty years.
She hold the first “life suspension” patents for freezing living materials without damage; she has developed controlled mutation to allow for true genetic adaptation to extreme environments; known for her research in cancer and in optimizing immune competence. Her training in Fire Sciences enabled her to recognize the thermodynamic phenomena that would put out and keep down a hurricane.
October 2nd, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Here is a list of racquetball equipment items and other things that may assist you in your racquetball game:
Racquetball Glasses (eyewear)-Not an option!! Everyone MUST wear eyewear on the court. Don’t play with anyone who doesn’t! The ball suctions on contact, and let’s just says you don’t want it hitting you in the eye. If you are considering tournaments, know that you must wear approved eyewear that you can compete in. They would have to be approved by the USA Racquetball Organization that sanctions the tournaments. All approved eyewear have polycarbonate lenses.
Benefits of a Polycarbonate Lense:
-Recommended for children because of its incredible strength.
-The strength means that it is incredibly hard to break.
-Highly scratch resistant.
-Thinner than the usual glass or plastic lenses.
-Material itself is lighter than glass and plastic.-
-Used in many applications, such as “bullet proof” windows, because it adds such great flexibility and strength.
-Offers ultraviolet radiation protection, cutting out around 99% of these potentially damaging rays from the indoor lighting or direct sunlight when playing outdoor racquetball.
The differences you will find among racquetball eyewear is how much lighter polycarbonate is and how much it helps prevents fog from occurring. They all put an anti-fog of some sort on all eyewear, but they don’t prevent as much as we would like. Some eyewear will have vents in the lenses to help prevent fog
Racquetball Racquets - You have many options here. From a low-end racquet made of aluminum that will bend when you hit the walls to high-end performance racquets that will never hold your play back. All racquets are made of their own technology that is comparable to other high-end racquets. They can be a heavier or a lighter frame. Their balance points will be different from one racquet to another.
Some racquets are customizable to fit your game. There are so many options in getting a good racquet starting at $60 and up. The much higher-end racquets that would contain a manufacturer’s latest technology would start at $120 up to $230. Racquets can come up to two different grip sizes.
One thing to remember about grip size: If you purchase a bigger grip you may not be able to go down in size but you can go up in grip size. E-Force and Gearbox have interchangeable grips, and you can take the grip down if it was the bigger grip size of the two.It is a good idea to have two racquets that are the same. If you broke a string or the racquet and had to go to a completely different racquet during play, this could hurt your performance.
Your playing style is used to a racquet after playing so many games. You will want to demo a racquet so that you can make an informed decision about what racquet you would like to play with. You want one that works for you and your playing style. A demo you could use for a week is a good way to find out if it is a good racquet. If it is an older racquet, a demo may not be available. Give us a call; we can talk about options for you to demo.
Racquetball Shoes - Not having racquetball shoes could cause you to not perform at your best. Wearing shoes outside and bringing those same shoes indoor to play can cause you to slip, also, not good for the indoor court’s floor. I’ve been in courts that are not properly maintained and that as well can cause you to slip. For this reason, I like to carry Python’s Anti-Slip Posi-trac.
I would never use running shoes to play racquetball. They do NOT give you the lateral support you need to play this sport.
A good test to see if you are wearing good supportive shoes for Racquetball:
1. Are you wearing gum-soled shoes?
-This would help grip the floors better.
2. Take the shoe you are wearing to play racquetball and hold it in both of your hands and hold the front side with your left hand and the back of the shoe with your right hand. Now twist back and forth. Is the center buckling and twisting? Not a good sign. That is a clear sign that you don’t have good lateral support.
3. In this test you are also going to use two hands. Hold one shoe in both hands. Take your stronger hand and hold the rear bottom part of the shoe; above the sole. Now squeeze. Do you find it hard to squeeze? If so, that is a good sign that you have a shoe that can prevent you from rolling your ankles. One of the challenges many people face is buying racquetball shoes. Your best option is online at one of the major retailers.
The challenge is buying a size that fits you. Here is a link to an article that gives you step by step how you can measure your foot from the comfort of your home: http://shoes.about.com/od/fitcomfort/ss/measurefeet.htm
Racquetball Kits - You can get kits that contain a racquet, eyewear, balls, and some will have water bottles. This would be recommended for beginners who are learning the game. Wilson, Head, Gearbox and Ektelon all offer racquetball kits. Wilson also offers a racquetball kit for kids 2-10 years old with the Sponge Bob Square Pants theme behind it with Sponge Bob racquet design, eyewear, water bottle, and ball.
Grips and Enhancements - You can go with a slip-on rubber grip or a wrap grip. The wrap grip will be more comfortable but less durable. The slip-on grip is more durable and would provide a bit more grip enhancing. With a slip-on rubber grip you will more than likely use a glove as this grip becomes very difficult to hold on when you start sweating.
One of the best ways to keep your glove lasting longer and in better condition is to wash your hands before you play. This helps get rid of all the leftover oil that is still on your palms.
Racquetball Gloves - The main purpose of a glove is to get a better grip on the handle. There are different types of gloves. Some will have padding for the diving player to protect the knuckles. Some will have more leather instead of pads to protect the diving player. Some have a mesh or ventilated material for quick drying. It’s a tough spot to be in when your racquet is slipping in your hand. You will lose power and control when you can’t eliminate the racquet slippage. We would also recommend that you always wash your hands before putting your glove on. Cleaning your hands would get the oil off of them that builds up over the day.
Strings- When it comes to strings there may be some things you want to think about:
Gauge of string (16, 17, or 18)-
The 16 is going to be the thicker of the three. It will be the most durable but less responsive. This is for the hard hitter who swings fast. The 18 is the thinnest; it will be the most responsive on contact but least durable. Someone looking for more control who has a slower swing will use an 18-gauge string. A player using an 18g is going to be someone who doesn’t break string often and is looking for that extra playability. I coach a lot more than I play so an 18g is ideal for me. If I ever want to get out there and play, I am going to be happy with the performance of the string.
Tension is another factor of play you want to think about. Our recommendation is to string your racquet at a 4 lbs. difference from mains to crosses. Your power will come from the mains and your control comes from the crosses of the racquet. Rex Lawler, also known as the String King, has tested all sorts of tension; and he found that the 4-pound difference worked best for racquetball. The range would be anywhere from 28-38 on the mains and 32-40 on the crosses. By raising the crosses 4 pounds you add a bit more control without eliminating any of the power. Everyone has a preference for his or her style of play. It may take a few different string jobs to get a feel for what you like.
Racquetballs - There are different balls you can play with. Some are designated for outdoor racquetball and some are for indoor play. You will find that the outdoor balls are played indoors, but are faster and take some inconsistent bounces.
Ball Options:
ProPenn Balls - Only balls made in the USA
ProPenn HD - Official ball of the Men’s Pro Tour and the US Open. Penn high-performance engineers joined forces with the top professional players in the world on the International Racquetball Tour to develop the ultimate racquetball. They came up with a ball that has better visibility, lighter weight, and softer feel as results of this effort. Personally, this is my favorite ball. I notice the lightness and find it easier on my body.
Penn Blue - More people choose the Ultra-blue racquetball for its long, lively, consistent play.
ProPenn Green - The Official Ball of USA Racquetball makes the ProPenn the most widely used ball in tournament play. The bright green color has great on-court visibility and consistent speed, playability, and durability.
ProPenn Ballistic 2.0 - Designed for outdoor racquetball with increased durability, maximum visibility, and ultimate speed. If you play indoors with this ball, be ready for lightning fast play.
Ektelon Classic- Official ball for the National Master Racquetball Association and Classic Pro Tour. It is a slower ball with greater visibility. This is ideal for longer rallies and training workouts.
Ektelon Blue - Popular reliable blue ball for all players offering a softer feel.
Ektelon Fireball- Official ball for the World Outdoor Racquetball Organization. Specially designed to withstand the demands of outdoor play. Designed for fast action play.
ProKennex Yellow- Designed for outdoor play. These outdoor balls are designed for faster, livelier speeds. The bright yellow color will make them easier to follow on the court.
ProKennex Blue - Two Pressure-less balls in a can that are specially designed for faster, livelier speed.
Wilson Titanium Green- This is a lively tournament quality ball that is consistent and long lasting.
Wilson Championship Blue - Perfect speed for all levels of play.
Wilson Hope Balls- This ball was designed by women for women. These balls are medium speed and are great on the court for consistency and visibility. A percent of all sales is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 2 balls per can.
Racquetball Bags- Bags come in different sizes. Most companies offer at the minimum three options, and other companies offer as many as six options. All bags will fit racquets comfortably. 90% of bags will have enough space for clothing, shoes, balls, and just about anything you want to throw in your racquetball bag. Ektelon has bags that are perfect for travel as they have wheels on them and act just like luggage.
Racquetball Clothing- The more common clothing that players are using is made of dry-wick material. Dry wick keeps you cool and comfortable, unlike cotton that sticks and drenches and can make you uncomfortable. You can get racquetball clothing from Head, Ektelon, Gearbox, and E-Force.
Socks- My recommendation would easily be Thorlo socks. They are great for all activities. They are designed to help protect your feet from the damaging effects of impact, shear, and blistering common to playing racquet sports.
Shock Absorbers (Dampeners) - They help change the sound on contact. Dampeners are also used to help eliminate vibration on contact.
Anti-Slip Spray- Your best option to help you not slip on floors is to have shoes that are not used outdoor but ONLY indoor. In some cases you do come across courts that are not well maintained. In this case I would recommend some Python Anti-Slip spray.
Headbands/Bandana - Racquetball is such a great cardiovascular workout and causes you to sweat a lot. Sweat begins to get in your eyes and it causes discomfort and it interferes with your play. We recommend wearing a headband or bandana for this problem.
Wristbands- You can use wristbands to help wipe the sweat out of your eyes and off of your forehead and other parts of your body.
Anti-Fog Spray- When you sweat, your goggles / eyewear have a tendency to fog up. If this happens to you we would recommend Anti-Fog spray to help prevent this.
Bumpers and Grommets- Over time your bumper and grommets will go bad from hitting the wall. The only way you can replace them is when you are getting your racquet restrung.
Racquet restringing - My advice…if you play three times a week you should get your racquet strung three times a year. As your professional stringers, we look over your racquet completely…making sure it is in good condition for restringing and string it up. We ship it out or you can pick it up the same day.
Instructional Videos/Books- There are good options available to you in order to take your game to the next level. It starts with you and what you want out of the game and what you are willing to put into the game. If you are willing to take time every day, week, and/or month to better your game …IT WILL HAPPEN. With some goals, practice, and determination you could take your game to a level that, right now, is not imaginable for you. Call us if you would like to talk about this further in setting goals and putting together a plan. Who knows, you may some day be a national champion in your age group!
Always stay tuned to our website for some good content on the game and how you can better your racquetball skills. Honestly, if you are someone who wants to stay tuned into racquetball I would bookmark our website and come back often. Another item that has helped me a lot as a current Junior and Collegiate Racquetball Coach at Indiana State University is Fran Davis’s Building YourRacquetball Dream House DVD. I played the VCR copy on our TV at the store, and I heard it in the background a lot. That has helped me very much in coaching and as a player.
Also, if you are into reading, one of the first instructional books that I really learned a lot of the mechanics from was Woody Clouse’s book Winning Racquetball: Skills, Drills, and Strategies that I read and practiced with it in mind. You can find this at Barnes and Nobles.You can also read and study Percentage Racquetball by Darrin Schenck, who was the USA Racquetball 2008 Coach of the Year. Stay tuned to our website for the link to the book. They are available and you can order it at anytime. Call 800-875-3701Another book on instruction is E-Force’s Real Racquetball by Tom Travers and Dr. Tim Miller.
Entertainment Videos - If you ever want to watch racquetball at its ABSOLUTE best, watch the Professional Racquetball players in action. It is amazing!! You can buy any of the US Open Racquetball Championships from the last three years on DVD.
Manufacturers in Racquetball- There are six racquetball companies that specialize in racquetball items.
-Head
-Pro Kennex
-Wilson
-Ektelon
-Gearbox
-E-Force
Pain Relief -
Biofreeze is one good option that we offer. It works by creating a cooling sensation that is transmitted through the nerve endings to the brain. It transmits at speeds faster than most pain sensations or warming sensations. Unlike icing an area, Biofreeze allows blood to continue to flow to the area so that it can be naturally repaired. Biofreeze and its ingredients are registered with the FDA. Biofreeze is vegetarian friendly; no animal products are used in the ingredients. Biofreeze is also not animal tested.
EMU Oil - We have pure 100% Australian Emu oil.
To learn a little about EMU oil here is the Wikipedia definition for EMU:
Go to Google and search Emu Oil. Look at the great benefits of this oil.
You can contact Manny Rodriguez at Lawler Sports. Lawler Sports is a major online retailer for all your racquet needs. We have been in the racquetball business for over 25 years. We specialize in racquetball, tennis, squash, badminton, and pickleball. Lawler Sports is a company that strongly believes in the growth of racquetball and its potential to hit mainstream. Our website is http://www.lawlersports.com and telephone number is 800-875-3701.