BD,
Id like to bring to your attention the plight of a couple of my American
ultimate-playing friends.
An increasingly common medical condition, triacylglycerilic mastitis (TM),
or layers nipple has been affecting male players in the states for
several years now (Female players almost never suffer from the condition,
because of the protection afforded by a sports brassiere). It is a tender
condition, resulting in reddening and swelling of the mastal region. TM is
caused when mud makes contact with the mastal areas absorbent skin pores
under pressure, such as in a layout situation; differing from the repeated
friction of runners nipple. Ultimate players are most at risk of all
sportsmen, because of their frequent, high impact contact between the ground
and their torso, and their tendency to have a relatively low upper-body
muscle mass. Rugby players have seldom complained about it in the past, as
their greater pectoral muscular integrity leaves them less susceptible.
TM is not incurable. A combination of antibiotics and massage can alleviate
the condition, and invasive surgery is not usually required.
So how can the condition be avoided? My American friends email cites Dr.
Martha Fu Liu of the University of Wisconsins 3 primary strategies for
precluding TM.
1. The simplest, though not most effective, trick is to cover the nipple
with a cross of electrical tape. This can form a stopgap prevention until
one or both of the other two TM solutions can be applied.
2. Players may want to purchase a male sports brassiere to give more
dependable protection against the condition. These are readily available
over the counter in most sports shops, eg. JJB or JD sports.
3. The only long term solution is to increase your pectoral muscular
integrity. This can be done by performing exercises such as running into
foam pads and performing one-armed pushups, and is helped by snacking on
leguminous proteins such as butter beans.
Just thought Id let you guys know so you can protect yourselves, good luck
with it. Ill certainly be applying a combination of all three techniques,
as TM doesnt sound all that pleasant.
Have a good Easter Britdisc,
Beej
Durham #77 (My views, not those of my club)
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