As one of the most popular and exciting film genres, action movies have countless fans and enthusiasts around the world. No good action movie would be complete without jaw dropping stunts, too; this article covers the history of stunts in film, as well as five of the most dangerous movie stunts of all time.
Background: the History of Stunts in Movies
The origins of professional stunt performers go back further than you might think; we can probably consider acrobats, circus actors, and combat performers to be just a few examples of stunt work before it was considered stunt work. While perhaps not quite as dangerous as some of the death-defying stunts you see in modern, big-budget Hollywood movies, it was still very much commonplace for actors in these professions to get hurt or injured as badly or even worse than comparing with professional sportsman.
And, back in the early 1900s, films started to hire performers to handle dangerous stunts on set. Cinema was more or less a brand-new field at the time, and an absolute novelty as a result; because of this, there were usually so many people who would willingly volunteer to perform stunts in a film, just so they could be part of the production, that it actually wasn’t necessary for professional stunt performers to be hired at all.
But, as the film industry continued to grow and the productions themselves became more elaborate and sophisticated, there was a greater need for stunt performers who could safely and reliably carry out high-risk stunts for the big screen.
As this change took place, the men who can probably be considered the first true professional stuntmen started getting hired to appear in movies. These were clowns and comedy performers like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin; it probably goes without saying that the stunts these men had to perform were not quite on par with what you’d see in a big-budget action movie today.
It was action movies that created demand for professional stunt performers, too. As the genre grew in popularity, higher-risk stunts became increasingly the norm as a means of entertaining and shocking audiences. This led to more work for stunt performers, as well as the development of safety measures and devices that would help them to keep the risks inherent to their work as low as possible.
With that being said, even today, stunt performing is far from being a safe line of work. Regardless of the safety measures that might be in place when someone performs a particular stunt, there’s still a significant level of risk that the stuntman or woman simply has to accept as part of the job. Tragically, serious injury and even death are both possibilities that professional stunt performers have to accept every time they show up on set.
Of course, the risks inherent to working as a stunt performer pretty much speak for themselves. While the actual danger a performer is exposed to depends on the nature of the stunt and the production, broken bones are all too commonplace.
It’s also the norm for stunt performers to work with explosions and fires, creating a particular need for them to be able to protect their skin from burns wherever possible. Abrasions are another form of injury that many stunt performers have to deal with at some point in their careers, as are cuts and lacerations.
The Most Dangerous Movie Stunts of All Time
The Car Jump in Smokey and the Bandit
Smokey and the Bandit is a comedy action film revolving around the efforts of two bootleggers who are trying to transport hundreds of cases of beer across the USA. Its car jump scene is iconic among stunt enthusiasts, too; not only were there virtually no safety measures taken during production, but the stunt performer in the scene had to wear a cowboy hat; a crash here likely would have been fatal.
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Running is known to have positive effects on our overall well-being. It helps increase endurance, reduce body fat, build muscles, strengthen the heart, and improve cardiovascular health. It can also improve our mood, sleep, and confidence.
However, running may also have downsides, especially if you do it excessively. As with everything, knowing both sides of the story is crucial to deciding how much you should be running.
For starters, here’s how running may “potentially” harm you.
Damage to Weight-Bearing Joints
According to Harvard Health Publishing, there’s mounting evidence that running is beneficial to reducing the amount of wear and tear on weight-bearing joints (e.g., hip, knee, and ankle-foot) and the risk of arthritis. It doesn’t cause osteoarthritis or any other joint disease. However, in 2021, a group of professional physiotherapists explained that there are two major risk factors that increase damage to weight-bearing joints during a run.
The first is obesity. The heavier a person is, the more impact they have on their knees. This leads to more friction and abrasion of the knee joint’s lining. If the aim of the running programme is weight loss, it’s recommended to start with a combination of walking or brisk walking and other non-weight-bearing activities, such as bike riding, for cardiovascular training. This helps in developing good strength in the knees, allowing load management and knee protection.
Another factor is poor biomechanics, particularly a lack of strength in the major propulsion muscles. These include the calf muscles, quadriceps, and glutes, which all support the lower limbs when on a run. If these muscles have poor strength, the position and loads on the knee during a run are typically changed, increasing the chance of injury.
To reduce the risk of joint damage, seeking professional help and getting routine preventive care are necessary. Licenced experts will often recommend using specialised treadmills and incorporating non-impact exercises.
Everywhere you look, there are warnings: the coffee you're going to drink is hot! There will be construction! This item may contain peanuts!
The reasons for these cautions are often obvious. However, cautions can sometimes generate more issues than they solve. When I was at the gym lately, these warnings in bold red text on the exercise bike and treadmill were difficult to miss:
- Before commencing any workout regimen, have a medical exam.
- Excessive activity might cause significant damage or death.
- Stop exercising immediately if you feel faint, dizzy, or in pain.
Finally, I wonder if these cautions create undue anxiety, discouraging individuals from exercising.
Is it okay to start working out without consulting a doctor?
Most of us don't need a doctor's consent. The majority of people can start an exercise routine safely at a low level and gradually increase their efforts over time. Select activities that would enable you to have a discussion, like:
- utilizing manageable, low weights for you to lift
- Taking it easy when walking
- slow (less than 5 mph) bicycle riding
- Balance and stretching exercises
- mild housekeeping or gardening.
Who needs to exercise caution?
Exercise is undoubtedly dangerous for people with specific medical issues. If you're worried about your health or have any of the following conditions, it makes sense to consult a health care provider for exercise advice:
Coronary artery disease, which includes angina or prior heart attack symptoms. Too much exercise too quickly could strain the heart and result in a heart attack or a risky heart rhythm. Until it's obvious that you can handle more, lower-intensity exercises (such as quick, easy walks) could be preferred.
asthma brought on by exercise. Just before or during activity, your doctor may advise using an inhalation medication to open up the airways in your lungs.
such as a metabolic myopathy, affects the muscles. Your doctor might advise against doing specific workouts, such as long-distance running or sprinting.
back ache. For those with back problems, low-impact exercises like biking or swimming may be preferable to high-impact ones like jogging or basketball.
Remember when you were a kid and you used to climb monkey bars, swing from ropes, and jump across streams? Rain only added to the excitement, leaving you soaking and filthy.
Sign up for a mud run to recreate those adventures. These outdoor team events involve maneuvering through military-inspired obstacle courses while becoming muddy.
The most well-known mud races are Tough Mudder and Spartan events. However, similar mud runs may be found in the majority of states. Some provide shorter distances and varying levels of difficulty. Others are only for women, children, or families.
How do mud runs work?
Typically, these events follow the same basic concept: participants cross a course that ranges from three to ten miles (or longer) and encounter 10 to 25 obstacles.
While some mud races can be done alone, the majority are designed to be team-oriented activities. Teams of five to ten persons are frequently coed. There is no time limit, however depending on the distance and number of obstacles, most teams complete the course in less than an hour to three hours or more.
The hurdles are difficult enough that most people require assistance navigating over, under, and across them, both physically and emotionally. This is when the "we're-all-in-this-together" comradery comes into play.
What kinds of obstacles are there in mud runs?
Common roadblocks include
Climbing over spider-web-like cargo nets
scaling walls of various heights
dangling from ropes with handles
strolling across beams or logs, carrying logs
sandbags slithering under barbed wire.
Then there is all the mud to contend with. Prepare to slog through muddy pits, crawl through muddy tunnels, and slide down mud-slick slides.
What advantages does a mud run provide for your health?
The advantages of these events stem from their design, according to Dr. Aaron Baggish, creator of the Cardiovascular Performance Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital, which is connected with Harvard.
"Obstacle racing combines large-muscle, whole-body resistance exercises superimposed on a long-distance endurance race," he explains. "You need strength, stamina, and mobility, so they are a snapshot of overall conditioning."
In addition to the physical advantages, mud races present emotional pleasures and psychological challenges for completing tasks that call for organization, coordination, and strategy.
How should one get ready for a mud run?
Mud races demand vigorous exercise, so talk to your doctor about your safety and ability before registering for an event. While practically everyone of any age can take part in these events, finishing them and lowering the chance of injury both require a minimum level of conditioning.
"Training for obstacle races incorporates many aspects of fitness and performance," claims Dr. Baggish. "Therefore, it's best to train with a coach or trainer who is aware of the fundamental skills required to finish these races," says the author.
Regardless of whether you work with a trainer, you should concentrate on:
aerobic exercise. Although you won't be running as steadily as you would in a regular road race like a 5K or half marathon, you still need to move quickly from obstacle to obstacle. "Optimal training for such obstacle races involves a combination of steady-state aerobic base training, like jogging or cycling, coupled with interval work that simulates the start-and-stop nature of competition," claims Dr. Baggish.
grip toughness. The only way to overcome gravity is to grip, hold, and pull oneself. Pull-ups and farmer carries, in which you walk back and forth while holding dumbbells or kettlebells in each hand, are two exercises that can be beneficial. To prevent injury while performing these workouts, proper form is crucial. When using weights, keep in mind to start slowly.
Plyometrics. A lot of obstacles require powerful jumps and swift movements. These actions can be mimicked with exercises like jump squats, burpees, and box jumps.
Muscle dysmorphia: what is it?
The obsession with having a lean and muscular physique characterises muscle dysmorphia. While only a small percentage of boys and young men exhibit the more extreme behaviours that characterise this disorder, it may affect many more people's perspectives. A quarter of boys and young men engage in muscle-building activities of some kind. In the United States, about 60% of young boys say they've altered their diet to build muscle. Even though that might not fit the definition of muscle dysmorphia disorder, many young men are affected by it. There is a social norm that links masculinity and muscle." "Today, even Halloween costumes for boys aged 4 and 5 include padding for six-pack abs. They are constantly told that their bodies should look like this.
Do boys and girls with body dysmorphic disorder have different symptoms?
Body dysmorphia, once thought to be a girl's thing, can manifest as eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia. Muscle dysmorphia is not an eating disorder in the strictest sense. However, it is much more pervasive and sneaky in males.
The prevalent belief is that body dysmorphia only affects females and doesn't affect men.
What are the symptoms of male body dysmorphia?
Parents may find it challenging to tell whether their son is just acting like a teenager or deviating into dangerous territory. Parents should watch out for these warning signs:
- A noticeable change in exercise habits, such as going from working out once per day to working out for several hours each day.
- Following a set schedule for their workouts or meals, such as restricting their food intake or placing a strong emphasis on high-protein foods.
- Avoiding regular activities, like spending time with friends, in favour of working out.
- Taking pictures of their abdomen or muscles obsessively to document "improvement."
- Repeatedly weighing himself each day.
- wearing clothes that emphasise a more muscular physique or hiding their physique with baggier clothing because they don't think it's good enough.
A study shows that some obese people find it harder to exercise because they are afraid of falling or getting hurt.
Exercise, a common term we all hear frequently, causes many individuals to cringe. Physical discomfort, guilt, or a challenge finding time for or enjoying hobbies could all be contributing factors to unhappy childhood memories of school sports or gym lessons. Recent research indicates that fear of falling or injury is a significant barrier to physical activity for certain obese individuals.
This discovery has significant ramifications for health and well-being. Hence, what are some ways that we might make activities both safe and enjoyable for people of varying weights?
Why must you be active?
Physical activity, as you may know, helps overcome anxiety and despair. It prevents bone loss, strengthens muscles, promotes sleep, reduces blood pressure and blood sugar, and boosts cholesterol levels. Many drugs would be required to accomplish everything that regular physical activity may achieve.
Exercise is usually a component of weight-loss strategies. According to research, exercise aids in weight maintenance and may aid in weight loss. Regular exercise not only burns calories but also builds muscle mass. This is significant because metabolically active muscles release proteins that reduce hunger and food intake.
What does this study reveal?
The study showed that many obese people are afraid of getting hurt or falling, which makes them less likely to exercise. In Sydney, Australia, doctors watched 292 people who were taking part in an eight-week medical weight loss program. Everyone satisfied the requirements for obesity or morbid obesity. There was an average age of 49 among the participants, with men making up one-third and women making up two-thirds of the group.
At the start of the trial, the people taking part answered 12 questions about how they felt about injuries. Most of the people who answered said they were afraid of getting hurt or falling and thought their weight made them more likely to get hurt. One-third of respondents claimed their fear prevented them from exercising. During the first, fourth, and final sessions, the researchers also measured weight, height, and waist circumference and gave strength tests.
At the conclusion of the study, the researchers discovered that the individuals who feared injury the most had not shed as much weight as those who did not share this concern. Individuals who had not lost as much weight showed the highest levels of despair, anxiety, and drowsiness.
This discovery has significant ramifications for health and well-being. Hence, what are some ways that we might make activities both safe and enjoyable for people of varying weights?
Why must you be active?
Physical activity, as you may know, helps overcome anxiety and despair. It prevents bone loss, strengthens muscles, promotes sleep, reduces blood pressure and blood sugar, and boosts cholesterol levels. Many drugs would be required to accomplish everything that regular physical activity may achieve.
Exercise is usually a component of weight-loss strategies. According to research, exercise aids in weight maintenance and may aid in weight loss. Regular exercise not only burns calories but also builds muscle mass. This is significant because metabolically active muscles release proteins that reduce hunger and food intake.
What does this study reveal?
The study showed that many obese people are afraid of getting hurt or falling, which makes them less likely to exercise. In Sydney, Australia, doctors watched 292 people who were taking part in an eight-week medical weight loss program. Everyone satisfied the requirements for obesity or morbid obesity. There was an average age of 49 among the participants, with men making up one-third and women making up two-thirds of the group.
At the start of the trial, the people taking part answered 12 questions about how they felt about injuries. Most of the people who answered said they were afraid of getting hurt or falling and thought their weight made them more likely to get hurt. One-third of respondents claimed their fear prevented them from exercising. During the first, fourth, and final sessions, the researchers also measured weight, height, and waist circumference and gave strength tests.
At the conclusion of the study, the researchers discovered that the individuals who feared injury the most had not shed as much weight as those who did not share this concern. Individuals who had not lost as much weight showed the highest levels of despair, anxiety, and drowsiness.
Have two minutes to work out? Then you have sufficient time to reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer, and potentially premature death, according to a study published online by the European Heart Journal on October 27, 2022.
Researchers examined over 72,000 adults, with an average age of 62, who lacked cardiovascular disease or cancer. The participants wore a wrist-worn activity monitor for one week. The device measured their total activity, vigorous activity, and the frequency of at least two minutes of vigorous activity. (During vigorous exertion, it is typically impossible to speak in complete sentences.)
One of the routines I find very difficult to restart is my exercise routine. The importance of exercise to our overall health cannot be overemphasized.
I haven't exercised for a while, and it has been very difficult for me. When I started trying to start exercising again, I ran, and I felt so much pain and exhaustion that I wasn't able to reach my set goal for the day. I ended up feeling so weak that I wish I could just take a cab home. I slowed down and walked home.
When you want to start running, this is a habit you need to put in place first, which will help you get set for your new routine. Whether you are beginning to run or attempting to rediscover your love for it, the initial step is typically the most challenging. When you commit, however, running offers both physical and mental advantages. Running increases longevity by preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Additionally, it can enhance brain function and increase the size of the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for verbal memory and learning.
How to begin running
A month before you start you need to set your eating habits straight and eat healthily. This will help your body to build up its strength.
Walking is the best way to begin running. Walking develops the muscles and tendons so that they can withstand the force of running. Do not rush: it should take around two weeks to build up to 30 minutes of vigorous walking, done two to four times per week. Then, move to run-walk intervals, alternating five minutes of running with one minute of walking. For the duration of three weeks, commit to running for 30 minutes, no less than four times per week.
"Patience is the best trait of a beginner runner." "Too rapid an increase in time or speed can lead to dissatisfaction or exercise-related injury [fast running places increased stress on the musculoskeletal system - ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues], so focus on endurance before speed."
How do you maintain motivation?
"Begin by keeping things really simple," and establish a goal that you can achieve and cannot fail at. Choose a reasonable number of times per week that you believe you can run, then stick to it for four weeks to allow your body to adapt. Three times every week for four weeks equals 12 runs. When you reach 12 ticks, give yourself a physical treatment to serve as a constant reminder of your success.
What is the proper running technique?
Good posture reduces stress and impacts the joints, lowering the chance of injury and enhancing performance, allowing you to run for longer with less effort. Maintain an elevated chest and lowered shoulders while running. Your feet should land behind your hips, aligning your body from head to toe in a straight line. Avoid forward tilting from the waist, which can strain the lower back, and keep your hands open to avoid extra tension. Since running is a forward motion, it is inefficient to swing your arms across your body; instead, tuck your elbows into your waist so that your arms go forward and back. Lastly, pay attention to how your feet fall. If they sound heavy, try landing softer.
"Patience is the best trait of a beginner runner." "Too rapid an increase in time or speed can lead to dissatisfaction or exercise-related injury [fast running places increased stress on the musculoskeletal system - ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues], so focus on endurance before speed."
How do you maintain motivation?
"Begin by keeping things really simple," and establish a goal that you can achieve and cannot fail at. Choose a reasonable number of times per week that you believe you can run, then stick to it for four weeks to allow your body to adapt. Three times every week for four weeks equals 12 runs. When you reach 12 ticks, give yourself a physical treatment to serve as a constant reminder of your success.
What is the proper running technique?
Good posture reduces stress and impacts the joints, lowering the chance of injury and enhancing performance, allowing you to run for longer with less effort. Maintain an elevated chest and lowered shoulders while running. Your feet should land behind your hips, aligning your body from head to toe in a straight line. Avoid forward tilting from the waist, which can strain the lower back, and keep your hands open to avoid extra tension. Since running is a forward motion, it is inefficient to swing your arms across your body; instead, tuck your elbows into your waist so that your arms go forward and back. Lastly, pay attention to how your feet fall. If they sound heavy, try landing softer.
How can I avoid injuries when running?
Complement your running with additional workouts.
"Pilates generally increases core strength; spinning is good for stamina; and swimming stretches tired muscles." "To continue jogging without pain, focus on your glutes and lower abdominals." Both of these muscles are responsible for your running posture. When your glute muscles are functioning optimally, you will run faster, and your lower limbs will move effectively and safely. "The lower abdominals maintain the right alignment of the hips and pelvis to prevent excessive strain on the lower back." Squats will help you avoid ankle difficulties and knee pain, which are frequently caused by weak glutes.
Muscle soothers
According to new research, bariatric surgery may result in long-lasting improvements in pain and physical abilities.
What was the focus of the study?
This study followed approximately 1,500 individuals for up to seven years after they underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures. The majority of participants were white (82%) and female (80%), while Hispanic (4%) and black (11% of participants) were underrepresented. They ranged in age from 38 to 55, and all were diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).
Participants completed questionnaires regarding their physical abilities, pain, health, and quality of life prior to surgery. Many were also evaluated for physical function and mobility, such as their ability to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes. Some reported severe or even incapacitating knee or hip pain, an osteoarthritis symptom. Annual assessments were conducted for up to seven years.
What were the results?
41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain, physical function, and objectively measured walking ability at the conclusion of the study. In addition, between 65 and 72 percent of those with osteoarthritis reported less knee and hip pain. In addition, 41% of those who were unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes prior to surgery could now do so.
Not every measure got better. For example, the number of back pain pills taken before and after weight loss surgery stayed the same. Not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function, which is also noteworthy. It's also difficult to say whether the positive changes were brought on by surgery and whether one type of surgery was superior to the other because there was no control group that did not undergo weight loss surgery.
The proven benefits of weight loss surgery include lowering blood pressure, improving blood sugar levels, and reducing cardiovascular risk. Now, data from a large multicenter study of bariatric surgery in the United States indicates that permanent improvements in pain and physical function may be added to this list.
iStock photos
What was the focus of the study?
This study followed approximately 1,500 individuals for up to seven years after they underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the two most common bariatric surgery procedures. The majority of participants were white (82%) and female (80%), while Hispanic (4%) and black (11% of participants) were underrepresented. They ranged in age from 38 to 55, and all were diagnosed with severe obesity (a body mass index of 35 or greater).
Participants completed questionnaires regarding their physical abilities, pain, health, and quality of life prior to surgery. Many were also evaluated for physical function and mobility, such as their ability to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes. Some reported severe or even incapacitating knee or hip pain, an osteoarthritis symptom. Annual assessments were conducted for up to seven years.
What were the results?
41% to 64% of participants reported improvements in body pain, physical function, and objectively measured walking ability at the conclusion of the study. In addition, between 65 and 72 percent of those with osteoarthritis reported less knee and hip pain. In addition, 41% of those who were unable to walk 400 meters in less than seven minutes prior to surgery could now do so.
Not every measure got better. For example, the number of back pain pills taken before and after weight loss surgery stayed the same. Not everyone experienced improvements in pain and physical function, which is also noteworthy. It's also difficult to say whether the positive changes were brought on by surgery and whether one type of surgery was superior to the other because there was no control group that did not undergo weight loss surgery.
https://unsplash.com/photos/3jAN9InapQI
It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be tough. Between work, family, and social obligations, it seems like there’s never enough time in the day to squeeze in a workout. Not to mention, it can be difficult to find the motivation to keep up with your fitness goals and see results. If you’re stuck in a fitness rut and feeling frustrated with your progress, don’t give up just yet! There are a few simple things you can do to take your fitness performance to the next level. Here are some effective tips to help you get there:
Invest in Some Home Equipment
If you don’t have time to make it to the gym or you simply prefer working out at home, there are plenty of excellent workout options you can do with minimal equipment. For example, you could invest in a jump rope, resistance bands, or a stability ball. These simple pieces of equipment can provide an excellent workout and help tone your entire body. If you’re looking for something more challenging, you could also consider investing in this Pilates reformer with a tower or a rowing machine. These types of home gym equipment can be relatively expensive, but they’re a great investment if you’re serious about getting in shape. Having your equipment at home will not only save you time, but it can also be more convenient and motivating.
Find a Workout Buddy
One of the best ways to stay motivated and on track with your fitness goals is to find a workout buddy. Having someone to share the experience with can make working out a lot more fun and enjoyable. Plus, you’ll be less likely to skip a workout if you know someone is counting on you to show up. If you don’t have any friends or family members who are interested in working out with you, there are plenty of online communities and forums where you can find a compatible workout buddy. You may also consider joining a local sports team or fitness class. This way, you’ll not only have someone to work out with, but you’ll also benefit from the camaraderie and support of others.
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