Play a sport? Stay off the sidelines by learning how your body works at the National Museum of Health and Medicine’s second Anatomy of Sports program.
The free event will be held 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013 on NMHM’s front lawn. Attendees will learn about key muscle groups to improve performance while preventing injuries. Participants will watch as medical illustrators paint on the bodies of athletes in order to show the key muscles and bone structures used to play their sports. While that is happening, physical therapists will explain how those muscles and bones allow the athlete to run, jump, throw and otherwise compete. They will also discuss common sports injuries and ways they can be prevented.
The final activity will be an anatomical art demonstration that will illustrate how a horse and rider’s bodies must work together to achieve maximum performance.
This year, former NFL linebacker Chris Draft, who played for the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills, will take part in Anatomy of Sports. Draft will represent the Chris Draft Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to help families lead healthier lives through exercise and wellness efforts. Other participating athletes will include a swimmer, cyclist, volleyball player, and more.
Andrea Schierkolk, NMHM’s public programs manager, said the Museum is looking forward to presenting Anatomy of Sports for a second year.
“We are excited to host this unique opportunity for visitors to learn about anatomy in a dynamic and visual way,” Schierkolk said.
Participants will include the University of Maryland’s Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science as well as medical illustrators representing the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and the Association of Medical Illustrators.
Anatomy of Sports is open to the public and no RSVP is required. NMHM is located at 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910. For more information, call 301-319-3303. Information about NMHM, including directions and parking, can be found at http://www.medicalmuseum.mil.