Track and Field athletes must prepare for their competitions way before they reach the starting line. Though competition season typically runs from April to July, athletes must try to stay in shape during the winter months.

Walking for an extended amount of time or distance through woods or across country is called hiking. Hiking is a form of recreation giving participants the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature.

Unless you live at the North Pole, you probably don't have the advantage of year-round snow upon which to practice snowboarding. You may think that the offseason is only good for building anticipation for next year's snowboarding opportunities and not the time for practice.

Boxing gloves encounter a lot of action during their lifetime; getting covered quite literally with blood, sweat and occasional tears. If you don't keep your gloves clean, they'll develop a strong unpleasant odor. Even worse, your gloves can house bacteria that can lead to infections endangering you and your opponents.

Slow, high-arcing pitches characterize slow-pitch softball. The batters in slow-pitch don’t have to be concerned with pitch speed or breaking balls, but using the right mechanics is still important to achieve optimum results. Follow a few basic hitting techniques to drive the ball as far as possible in every at-bat.

Despite wrestling's use of physical force, the sport's rules and conventions keep it surprisingly safe and injury-free. Understanding the rules and moves of wrestling can help you enjoy watching the sport, and help you make a decision about whether or not to participate -- or have your child participate.

If your knee hurts when kicking a soccer ball, patellofemoral joint syndrome is the likely cause. PFJ is quite common in soccer players, according to the Physiotherapy Sports Injury Clinic. Knee pain also can result from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, a meniscus tear or bursitis in the affected knee.

Even in a physical game such as college football, there are rules against being too physical. Whether on offense or defense, players are not allowed to use their hands to hook, lock, clamp, grasp, or hold in an effort to restrain the opponent.

Nothing generates more excitement in a basketball game than watching the creativity and athleticism of a player flying through the air and finishing with a slam dunk. It can single-handedly change the dynamic of the game and turn a regular player into a star.

Soccer players rely on consistent equipment and conditions in order to perform at their best. Because the soccer ball is the main piece of equipment in the game, there are several strict regulations and requirements regarding its size and weight. A soccer ball that is too heavy or too light impedes the game.

Triathlon-specific, road and time-trial bikes are the most common options when it comes to purchasing a bike for a triathlon. Determining what type of bike you want to ride is only the first step, however.

Checking your bicycle chain periodically can give you a heads-up to potential problems. Bike chains can wear out over time and possibly break if you don't maintain them properly. Sheldon Brown of Harris Cyclery suggests visually inspecting the chain for link wear, as well as build up of dirt and grease.