1. First off, I want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!  Of course, that doesn’t mean much for the 36% of this blog’s readers from other countries.  So, to you, I’ll simply say “HA!  You have to work today!  Don’t you wish you were American?”

Oh, wait; I’m seeing 30+ athletes today before heading north for the holiday.  I guess the joke is on me.

2. The wedding is set for October 3, 2010.  I have put it on my calendar for my fiancee to remind me about it on October 1, 2010 in case I get preoccupied, as I’ve been known to do.  Just kidding, honey!

3. THIS might be the coolest study I’ve ever seen.  Basically, it said that male patient visits to the emergency room decline immediately prior to, during, and after major sporting events.  And you thought being a soccer hooligan was bad for your health!

4. Keeping with the study theme, check out this study that looked at how fatigue impacted single-leg landings.  Basically, researchers single-leg squatted athletes until the cows came home, inducing fatigue on ONE SIDE – which, obviously, negatively affected landing strategies.  Interestingly, though, they noticed that landings on the OPPOSITE side were also negatively impacted.  In other words, we aren’t just talking about muscular fatigue; central fatigue is also hugely important.  Kind of makes you wonder why more people don’t drill landing mechanics hard on the UNINJURED side in post-ACL reconstruction patients, huh?

For more on testing with fatigue in mind, check out this blog post from Bill Hartman.  And, for more on ACL injury prevention strategies, check out Bulletproof Knees.

5. Different project, but more filming next weekend.  I’m going to enjoy the holiday and then get back to work…lots of work.

Have a great weekend!