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Archery has become one of the most well-loved sports. It is actually the art of shooting. But unlike with several sports that you need a ball to do the shooting and all, with this sport you won't be needing a ball but instead an arrow.

The main equipments one needs to be able to play Archery include a bow and an arrow. Generally, a bow is a weapon that projects an arrow while an arrow is a slender, straight pointed projectile made to be shot from a bow; usually with feathers at the shaft end.

Basically, there are two main types of bows. First type can be drawn by directly pulling the string and second type still needs a mechanism for its string to be pulled. Each type then can be further divided based on variations in the limb construction method.

A lot of people prefer using bows that can be drawn by directly pulling the string than bows that still need a mechanism for its string to be pulled. Mechanically drawn bows usually have other mounting or a stock such as the crossbow. Typically, they are not confined by the strength or power of one archer.

Arrows on the other hand, come in types too. Basically, arrows can be classified in terms of the material used. Normally, material used for the shaft is the determining factor. Materials often used for the shaft include aluminum alloy, solid wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber or carbon/alloy composite.

Arrows with shaft made of wood are known for being highly prone to distortion. Arrows with shaft made of fiberglass although are more easily produced to unvarying specifications are actually breakable. Arrows with shaft made of aluminum are known for being perfectly straight, durable, and efficient to use and so became the most favorite type some time in the 20th century. Arrows with shaft made of carbon fiber are very light and in the past have exceeded popularity of arrows with shaft made of aluminum. Finally, arrows with shaft made of carbon/alloy composite are more effective in projecting an arrow and so became very popular at Olympic Events.

The word aerobic literally means "with oxygen" or "in the presence of oxygen." Aerobic exercise is any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously for a long period of time and is rhythmic in nature. Aerobic exercises utilize oxygen as the major fuel for sustaining activity for relatively long periods.

In general, aerobic exercises are those activities that require large muscle work, elevate the heart rate to between 60 percent and 80 percent of maximal heart rate, are continuous in nature and are of 15 to 60 minutes in duration. An aerobically fit individual can work longer, more vigorously and achieve a quicker recovery at the end of the aerobic session.

Aerobic exercises fall in two categories:

Low to Moderate Impact aerobics – These include walking, swimming, stair climbing, step classes, light water aerobics, rowing and cross-country skiing. Nearly anyone in reasonable health can engage in some low- to moderate-impact exercise. Brisk walking burns more calories than jogging for the same distance because it takes more time to walk than jog that distance and poses less risk for injury to muscle and bone.

Originally invented in the 1930's by Leo Saltzer the very first roller derby was seen in Chicago at the Coliseum in 1935 where roller skaters used a banked skating surface to simulate a cross country race watched by more than 20,000 spectators. At the time the craze was for marathon dance competitions which tested the endurance of the competitors over many, many hours of dancing. Marathon roller skating events at the time could last an unbelievable length of time, sometimes many months with full time staff and full time competitors.

The Early Years

From Chicago roller skating marathons spread out across the United States to many more cities with the track being dismantled and moved. The roller derby stayed in cities for many months before moving on. The roller derby evolved into a race between two teams with five members, one designated the 'jammer' who aimed to lap the opposing team members. Roller derby was ahead of it's time as women competed on the same terms as men, a first for any team sport. The track changed over time with the elevation being raised to forty five degrees and rails added for the safety of the competitors.

The first televised roller derby was broadcast in the 1940's and was instantly a hit. Over the next 20 years the game evolved into a sport with more body contact and similarities to American football. In the 60's the women competitors were seen as role models for independent women throughout the world. In order to accommodate the track in available basketball courts it was modified to be more portable. At this time the popularity of the sport was a t a high with hundreds of teams touring and competing all over the US.

The Decline in Roller Derby in the 1970's

From a high in the 1960's the popularity sharply declines and was dropped from national television in the 70's. High gas prices and transport costs took their toll. Many of the full time staff and competitors were laid off. Roller derby continued however with many part time leagues being formed who kept the sport very much alive. Several attempts to revive the sport were launched throughout the 70's with some TV revivals and the formation of the International Roller Skating League which lasted for ten years. TV only spectacles were also staged including the Roller Jam and the Roller Games.

Roller Games was created in the 1960's by a rival of Seltzer's Roller Derby league. It was a televised spectacle and an increasingly theatrical interpretation of roller derby. The flagship team was the Los Angeles T-birds (Thunderbirds) and lasted through the 70's 80's and 90's into the early years of the 21st century with many ups and downs in popularity.

Roller Jam was based on the original roller derby with skaters mainly using in line roller skates and was televised from 1999 - 2001. It evolves into a largely theatrical production which caused many skaters who felt that it should be focused on the original concept of a skating competition to boycott the show.

Roller Derby Today

The sport has increased in popularity today with many hundreds of largely all girl teams competing across the US. There are also some mixed teams and even some all male teams.

About 60 all girl teams are members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) which sets the rules for competitions between leagues. Travel teams compete in regional matches.. the WFTDA organises championships and publishes rankings of it's members.

The Old school Derby Association was formed in May 2007 and promotes the sport among it's members. The rules are based on the early versions of Roller Derby but also incorporates newer rules to accommodate the fast moving defensive game that exists today.

The sport is now worldwide with leagues in the UK, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, Canada and Germany.