I've had a great response to my request about monitoring athletic
performance.  Here's a summary of the replies sent to me personally.  I
sent this summary to the senders first, to make sure they were happy with
it.   I've also edited and added the two replies sent to the list, so
they're all in one place for easy reference.  The message is over 10 KB,
but I hope you will agree that exceeding our size limit is justified in
this case.

We need an overview.  I might have a go after we've had a chance for more
discussion.

Will


Brendon Downey <xtr15042401@...>
   [is a very practical sport scientist-coach who thinks, for example, that
it's possible to measure things like stride length in subelite runners and
devise workouts that attempt to change these towards the values of
Olympians.  His message opens up the issue of kinanthropometric/skills
monitoring...]


"Dr. Hofmann Peter" <Peter.Hofmann@...>
Inst. of Sports Sciences, University of Graz, AUSTRIA
    ...We had the same experience that lab tests are not really useful for
the regulation of the  training of top athletes...
    Some ideas from our group about monitoring training in white water
kayakers (race performance about 2 min)... Our training system is based on
the heart rate performance curve (better known as the Conconi test)...These
tests give
an idea of the developement of the specific aerobic performance (kayak
speed at anaerobic threshold and maximum performance in the incremental
test) during the various training periods. Additionally, we evaluated
the anaerobic threshold by means of lactate steady state tests ( 4 times
5 min at the predeterimined heart rate threshold). We found steady state
lactate in almost all cases except in the athletes overreaching the
threshold indicating that the heart rate threshold (at least as we
determine it) gives a lactate steady state indicating the upper limit
for heavy endurance exercise. Additionally, we do (in the same test
session after a break of 1-2 hours) a maximal test (about 2 min)
including lactate measurements after the run (and 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th
and 15th min of recovery) to get an insight in the specific "anaerobic"
abilities of our athletes (maximal lactate, increase and decrease of
lactate during recovery, decrease of speed during the 2 min run
consiting of a number of laps through 3 gates). Beside these tests we do
some tests with the same method (based on the heart rate performance
curve and if necessary including lactate) on a flywheel ergometer
specially adapted for kayakers (during winter training) or running field
tests (if they do some running training during the preparation period).
Of course we do standard strenght tests in the weight room (maximal
strength, endurance).
    The system is working quite well, the problem is to detect overtraining,
overreaching. We are now evaluating a heart rate based system (beat to
beat measurement - Polar System Vantage NV) using heart rate variability
(HRV). We try the same test as (I heard) is used in Finland - 5 min
lying - 5 min standing - measure beat to beat HR and determine the HRV.
Unfortunately, we have only little experience with this kind of test and
I think it will need some time to bring it to a standard.
    As you mentioned some of the "usual" tests are rather expensive
(catecholamines, ....) and a much greater problem to us is that they are
invasive and therefore the use is restricted (we don´t get a MD to the
training every day).
    Our general idea is to find and develope diagnostic tools which can be
used by the coach or even the athletes themselves - a heart rate based
system workes quite well with some (well known) limitations (of course
limited to sports that are at least in part dependent on aerobic
performance).
    As a remark I do not believe that lab tests are valid for top athletes -
probably for beginners or younger athletes (we could see that the
increase of performance could be detected in this group with both a
running test in the lab and the specific tests on water - but again not
in the highly trained athletes).


Enid Brown <brown-e@...>
Physical Activity and Sport Studies
University of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Your comments regarding lab/field tests finally
struck a resonant chord in me.  For over a decade I have been an
advocate of field tests - but I have not always been a vocal
advocate.  For many of the reasons you describe, plus the expense and
inconvenience of lab tests, field tests have appeared to me to be the
only reasonble approach to regular monitoring.  Unfortunately the
apparently "simple" field test does not carry with it the panache and
mystery of the sophistocated lab test.  Perhaps there is an
unexpressed fear that sport scientists would be out of work if just
about anyone could perform athlete monitoring!  The role I see for
sport scientists is in the design and validation of field tests so
that they, as closely as possible, mimic the demands of the sport
performance while providing measureable, reliable results.


Jay.T.Kearney@... (Jay T Kearney)
   ...Some laboratory monitoring has an inherent psychological
value because it allows an assessment of status without requiring a
maximum performance.  For a high performance athlete the concept of
attempting a "maximum" performance, especially if it is in or very
near their competitive performance, is very threatening.  There are
also lots of sports where a single criterion performace test may not
be indicative of the objective of the training period.  I think there
is still lots of room for our "inexact" markers of assessment...


kirke001@... (Don Kirkendall)
Duke University Medical Center
    You have touched on a topic that confounds many of us in the business. I
have said that vo2max is like height and weight, just a descriptive measure
of little importance or use. As for some of your specific questions:
Heart rate monitoring
    European soccer (Dutch, some Scandanavians and Germans) have used those
audiotape-paced shuttle runs to exhaustion once and take a pulse after some
arbitrary sub-max run. they then repeat the test periodically to that
submax run and take pulse again saving the athlete from going to exhaustion.
Monitoring of overtraining
    Carl Foster champions a method of monitoring overtraining
asking the athlete to use the RPE scale to rate the practice session. See his
summary in MSSE recently on the method. He works with speed skating in the US
and would guess they use the method.
Time trials
    US cycling has used off and on a time trial (of varying distances).
Pituitary hormones
    In Bjorn Ekblom's IOC book on soccer is a chapter on German monitoring of
hormones in their athletes. Don't know just how much it is used in practice.
Very expensive as you mention.
Soccer
    We have developed a battery of field tests to look at the range of
energy systems and have data on elite soccer players from U-12 through
national team, men and women. Two tests are coaches favorites because the
results seem to lend "objective" numbers to their gut feeling on the
fitness of their players (300 meter shuttle and the "beep" tests). Others
of the battery are more for general athleticism. For a description of the
tests visit http://www.us-soccer.com/ then click on "coaching" and follow
the link to "assessment of fitness" for information on the methods.
General
    I have come to favor some assesment of on-the-field
performance. When properly motivated, the tests seem to be fairly sensitive
for
changes in fitness. That first phrase ("When properly motivated") is the key,
though. In the end, I work with ball sports which I think is mostly about the
ability to recover fast rather than out-and-out endurance.
    What do you see or hear about in terms of training and assessment of
agility. Big interest in ball sport coaches as that seems to be the main
discriminator among and between athletes and from other types of sportsmen.


Tom Switzer <tswitz@...>
    Yep, I agree about the VO2 measurements.  They may have some
applications with developing athletes, but are WAY too insensitive to measure
minute changes, especially during the course of a season.  They may be
applicable to athletes coming off a long layoff going into a season.  Lactate
data is interesting.  I've used a handheld analyzer both, in the lab and in the
field.  Lab results are comparable to bench assays.  However, you need too much
blood from a finger stick to get three  usable drops for sampling, which also
becomes cost-prohibitive at $2/strip.  Additionally, field samples are easliy
contaminated with sweat and grime, and again, most athletes don't like having
sore fingers for days afterwords.  It'd be nice to take an antecubital  venous
sample, but this poses legal considerations for us non-MD's.  Maybe we could
consistenly measure hydration status, as pernicious dehydration  has
detrimental effects on day to day training (at least in hot climes).
Additionally, and I think most importantly, all the laboratory data is
worthless if the athlete's head is not in the game. Motivational "concerns" are
going to override physical performance changes.  Can we eliminate potential
placebo effects of such goodies as creatine or a shiny new bike??  Perhaps the
most powerful ergogenic aid is a good shrink?!!
    On a similar topic, has anybody measured lactate, power output, VO2
during motorpacing in cyclists?  I have spoken to several
cyclists and coaches who swear that motorpacing on the day prior to an event
"primes" a rider more than any other pre-race prep.  Physiologically speaking,
the responses should be similar to that of riding in a big pack.  Maybe it's
the feeling of speed per unit effort which somehow "tricks" the body (placebo
effect or psychosomatic?).  The effects do appear to be real, as most of the
riders who've prepared this way report, informally, that they  feel ready, and
their results support this...


"John D Carney PA-S2, R.D., CNSD" <jcarney@...>
    I'm not certain if this is the sort of thing you're looking for, but a
while back, while reviewing literature on glutamine, I ran across an
article which
looked at glutamine levels in regards to overtraining.  In addition, there
was a glutamine article which addressed the countering effects of glutamine
in regards to catecholamines...


David Liow <liowda@...>
    ...One reason that I like VO2 max testing is that it scares lazy athletes
(particularly in team sports) and makes them work harder in training.


"Ebert, Tammie" <Tammie.Ebert@...>
Tasmanian Institute of Sport
...with our rowing testing we [use] a submaximal testing approach where we
have individuals work at an increasing intensity until they reach just
over 4 mmol/L of lactate then the test is terminated. We are then able
to plot lactate  and heart rate versus power and determine the power
output and heart rate at 4 mmol/L (also 2 and 3 mmol/L). We have found
this test to be quite good at monitoring changes with training and have
just completed some preliminary work in devising a similar test for
cycling.
    This type of testing allows us to do it regularly without putting the
athletes under the stress of a maximal test and it is quite sensitive to
measuring changes after a month of training.
    I am also currently doing an assignment on VO2max and Lactate threshold
as predictors of endurance performance. A large amount of the literature
steers towards LT as a better predictor than VO2max due to the fact that
it is close to the intensity that endurance athletes compete at. I would
be interested if you had any research papers that you could recommend I
source regarding this topic.


p.pfitzinger@... (Peter Pfitzinger)
UniSports Centre for Sport Performance
University of Auckland
...[you wanted] information on the reliability of lactate measurement.
Just happened to do my masters thesis on that topic.  Please see:
Pfitzinger, P. and P. Freedson. The reliability of lactate
measurements during exercise.  Int. J. Sports Med., 19:349-357, 1998.
[I'm currently sorting through issues of the calculation of variability
(coefficient of variation) in this paper.]


David Rowbottom <d.rowbottom@...>
School of Human Movement Studies, Queensland University of Technology
...There is a reasonable amount of data to suggest that submaximal
lactates may in fact be lower in an overtrained athlete.  How can you then
distinguish this athlete from another athlete whose performance is
improved, and should also have lower submaximal lactates?  In other words
an improved performance and a reduced performance will produce the same
result, rather than distinguishing them from each other.  There is also
very little data to suggest that submaximal heart rates are affected during
overtraining.
    I would support the notion of a time trial or competitive performance as
the best option.  Have a look at a recent paper from Urhausen et al. (1998)
- MSSE 30, 407-414.  They reported an endurance test at 110% anaerobic
threshold in cyclists during normal training and after a period of
intensified training.  Despite a 27% reduction in endurance time to
exhaustion (about 15 minutes instead of 22 minutes), there was no
difference in submaximal blood lactate or heart rate after 10 minutes of
the test, no difference in peak power output during a separate incremental
test, and no difference in 10s or 30s anaerobic power output tests.  If
none of the usual physiological measures can account for the reduction in
performance, should we be measuring them to check for overtraining?


Mark Sutherland <perform@...>
    ...It may be worth checking this page out:
http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/coachsci/vol15/table.html
    [It sure is.  This is one of the pages at the valuable Coaching Science
Abstracts site http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/dept/coachsci/intro.html,
maintained by Brent Rushall and Robert Carlson.]

A question has just come up on rec.running that I've been meaning to pose
for a while.
Here's the question, and my first thoughts.......
--
Dr. Rod Lawson, MA PhD MRCP
(Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine, Sheffield University, UK)

Robert Grumbine wrote in message <6vbl1i$90c@...>...
>  As subject, or does it even matter.  Today I was out for my first hour
>run in a month, and the subject question occurred to me.  I was running
>fairly steady effort throughout, which meant a significant slowing towards
>the end and an early section that was fairly brisk (compared to a constant
>pace run).  I feel good, so it isn't do or die.  But as a point of
interest,
>do you take long training runs at more of a constant pace (training in
>a particular stride mechanic and getting accustomed to the increasing
>effort that a race would be) or a constant effort (training muscle
efficiency
>and leaving the others for more focussed practices) ?

Excellent question, and one to which I don't know the answer. If you ran on
heart rate, you would also get that early brisk pace with a tale, because of
'heart rate drift. This is usually explained as being due to a combination
of dehydration and rise in core temperature, though I don't think it has
been definitively proven. It's often argued this is a reason for not running
to a strict heart rate, so that you do maintain a pace. However, I've often
wondered if in fact you approached it as 'physiological stress', which is
presumably fairly closely related to training stimulus, whether a gradual
slowing wouldn't in fact make sense. Presumably when relatively fatigued, a
slower pace will give equivalent 'physiological stress'.
To the best of my knowledge there are no studies that address this. The only
thing that would come close is the research suggesting slight negative
splits are best for races, which is opposite way on to what I'm suggesting,
but I'm not sure you can reasonably compare race pace strategies with
training effect strategies.

On the other hand, any differences, presuming you stay basically comfortably
aerobic, are perhaps going to be subtle, so maybe it isn't such a big deal.

Dear colleagues:

About two weeks ago, I posted a message regarding the definition of
'antagonist'. I am grateful to all the individuals who spent their precious
time to respond to my message.

First, here is the original message:

---------------------------------------------------------------
According to the textbook I am using for my undergraduate Kinesiology
course,  'antagnist' is defined as "the role played by a muscle generating
torque opposing that generated by the agonists at a joint". Then it goes,
"When a muscle opposes a movement at a joint through development of
eccentric tension, it is acting as an antagonist." I witnessed similar
statements in some other textbooks I happened to possess. But I believe
there is a discrepancy between these two statements.

The definition implies that the antagonists opposes the agonists for fine
control of the movement and safety. When the agonists produces too much
tension or when the joint angle reaches the extreme of the joint range of
motion, the antagonists will produce tensions to control or slow down the
joint motion for fine control and safety since muscles produce tension only.
When the agonists contract concentrically, it is obvious that the
antagonists should contract eccentrically to slow down the joint motion. So
both statements above seem to agree. But what about the eccentric
contraction of muscles due to external load such as gravity?

Let's imagine some one is doing pushups. The triceps contract concentrically
during the up-phase, but eccentrically during the down-phase. According to
the second statement above, the triceps are the agonists during the
up-phase, but the antagonists during the down-phase. Which group of muscles
are the agonists in the down-phase then? Since the elbow flexion during the
down-phase is basically caused by the gravity, the elbow flexors can not be
the agonists. So the definition does not hold here.

Here is my view:
We can view the triceps as the agonists in both phases? The main job of
the muscles which the man intended during the down-phase was to slow down
the elbow flexion against the torque produced by gravity. Triceps are
undertaking this job. When triceps produce too much tension causing too slow
an elbow flexion, the elbow flexors can compensate that as antagonists.
According to the same author, agonist is defined as "a role played by a
muscle acting to cause a movement". The triceps are causing 'slow-down' of
the elbow flexion during the down-phase of pushup. Whthout the activation of
the triceps, he will simply collapse. If we stick to the definition, the
second statement is incorrect.

I'd like to get some comments or feedback on this issue from the readership.
I also posted this message to Biomch-L.

I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF IN YOUR REPLY YOU MENTION YOUR AREA OF
EXPERTISE AS WELL. I'D LIKE TO SEE IF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT
BACKGROUNDS SHARE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THIS.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I posted this message to both Biomch-L and Sportscience and have received
about 15 responses so far. In order not to violate the message size limit of
both lists I compiled and put the individual replies at
http://www.cs.bsu.edu/~ykwon/miscellaneous/antagonist.htm.


Here are some of the observations from the replies and my thoughts:

1. The majority of the replies, with few exceptions, either supported my
view or at least mentioned the limits of the conventional anatomy-oriented
definitions of agonist & antagonist.

2. The view of the author of the textbook I am using for my undergraduate
Kinesiology course can not correctly address the 'ANTAGONISTIC RELATIONSHIPS
AMONG THE MUSCLES' when the intention of motion is to oppose the effects of
the external forces such as gravity. Muscles only produce tensions. When the
agonists produces too much tension or when the joint angle reaches the
extreme of the joint range of motion, the antagonists will produce tensions
to control or slow down the joint motion for fine control and safety. I
believe the agonist-antagonist issue is more than just to start motion
concentrically or to slow down a motion eccentrically. It implies the
control and safety mechanism in using the muscles. Antagonists will remain
relaxed unless their involvement is necessary for safety and control.

3. We may generally define the agonist as the main muscles which are
responsible for the intended motion of the joint, regardless of the type of
activation (concentric or eccentric). Technically, the agonist may be the
muscle group which generates the dominant net joint torque in relation to
the intention of the motion. The antagonists are the muscles which oppose
the action of the agonists. We may have to use a different approach to
explaining this issue to the undergraduate students who don't have much
biomechanics background, but still in this context.

4. The energy-oriented view is no different from the author's view,
especially in a single-joint muscles since single-joint muscles that produce
tension through eccentric contraction do negative work. The only difference
is in the case of two-joint muscles. A two-joint muscle may do a negative
work at a joint while it actually undergoes concentric contraction. But this
work-oriented view still can not effectively address the antagonistic
relationships among the muscles.

5. There are some additional issues such as two-joint muscles, multiple
degrees of freedom, and the location of the muscles. Firstly, two-joint
muscles may play one role in one joint and another in the other joint,
depending on the situation. Secondly, we may have antagonistic relationships
among the muscles for each possible joint motion at a joint. Thirdly, the
antagonists may not necessarily have to locate at the opposite side of the
joint to oppose the agonists in the cases such as pronation/supination. We
will have to focus on the functional role of the muscles rather than the
location in this case.

It was good to learn that there are some textbooks available which address
this issue in the right direction.

Cheers!

Young-Hoo
-------------------------------------------------------------------
- Young-Hoo Kwon, Ph.D.
- Biomechanics Lab, PL 202
- Ball State University
-
- Phone: +1 (765) 285-5126
- Fax: +1 (765) 285-9066
- E-mail: ykwon@...
- Homepage: http://www.cs.bsu.edu/~ykwon/
-------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Colleagues:

On the 24th September I posted a message which asked for
information regarding the research ethics of a colostrum
study being carried out on the Australian cycling team
at the Commonwealth games. I did this because of
allegations in the British media of one of the athletes
being sent home for her refusal to take part in the
study. It was also alleged that the study was both
"state-funded", and being conducted by Adelaide
University. A representative of the sport science
department at Adelaide has stated in a message to this
list that they have no connection with the study, but
are carrying out research into a commercial
colostrum product, funded by the manufacturer.

This reply is included in my summary of responses which follow the
comments below.


It is clear from the few responses to my posting and other
research I have done that the athlete's refusal to continue
taking part in the colustrum study was just one factor in
the conflict between her, and the staff and management of
the Australian team, which led to her expulsion from the
Games. It is also apparent that the team have many
problems in terms of Athlete/Coach-management relationships
which might better be debated on Sportpsy, rather than this
list.

Nevertheless, my original concerns remain, regardless of
any alleged individual petulance or ego tantrums on the part
of the athlete concerned: Was the athlete's refusal to
continue taking colustrum seen by the management/coaching staff
as being difficult behaviour,and together with other problems
which occurred, have an additive effect on their final decision
to expel her.

My concerns are not only with the research ethics but
also the role of drugs and ergogenic substances in
sport, and particularly cycling. The scandal of the Tour
De France has led to a feeding frenzy from the Media and
has led to innumerable articles and features on the role
of drugs and ergogenic aids, many of which were full of
untruthful and speculative statements concerning such
substances as creatine and bovine colustrum. Even as I
write another article has appeared concerning both
substances (The Independent 5.10.'98)

It is also clear from what facts did emerge from this
debacle was that members of particular cycling teams involved
with substance abuse were under threat of their place in the
teams if they did not participate, and were forced to contribute
a portion of their earnings at the end of the season for the drugs
which had been administered.

Clearly it is incumbent upon all those involved with
sport, scientists, doctors, coaches, athletes, parents,
et al, to be vigilant and critical where there is any
possibility of any kind of pressure being put on
individuals to go against their wishes, or conform,
where potential or proven performance-enhancing
substances are concerned, whether during scientific study, or
training and performance. However, it seems that with the
potential for enrichment, fame, and professional kudos, that
professionals of all disciplines are ignoring their ethical
responsibilities, e.g. the team doctors of some professional
cycling teams.


Even on the Master's course I have recently completed there was both
peer and staff pressure on myself to participate in experimental work
a) a maximal cycle ergometer test while suffering a knee injury, and
b) a creatine study



Finally, I would like to say that the governing bodies of sport bear
some responsibility for the position we find ourselves in today. IGF-1
(Insulin-like Growth Factor) is on the IOC list of banned substances,
but only when taken directly. Moreover, as yet there is no reliable
test for its presence. Thus, if the IOC believe it to be an 'unfair'
ergogenic substance (and where is the scientific evidence?), should
it not be banned whether taken directly, or indirectly as a result of
taking bovine colustrum. The Australian team are simply taking
advantage of this ambivalence.

>From what I have seen from this, and other lists, many of you share
the concerns I have outlined here and I think you will agree that
some of the responses below do not fully address my initial disquiet
about the expulsion of Lucy Tyler Sharman. Were the athletes informed
that no long-term studies of bovine colostrum have been carried out?
Until these are done we do not know the long-term effects of elevated
levels of IGF-1 in blood plasma of Human subjects.


ORIGINAL MESSAGE

>Dear colleagues:
>
>I would like to bring to your attention something which
>should be of great concern to everyone. Lucy
>Tyler-Sharman, the 3000m cycling pursuit World Champion
>was allegedly sent home by the Australian team from the
>Commonwealth games in Malaysia for declining to take
>part in a study of colostrum being carried out by the
>University of Adelaide in conjunction with the
>Australian cycling team.
>
>It is also reported (The Guardian 21.9.98), that the
>coach indicated to the team that their places would be
>in jeopardy if they did not agree to involvement in the
>study. Tyler-Sharman expressed concern over the
>possibility that this substance may cause breast
>cancer, but also had other difficulties with her coach
>over training methods and equipment. It may be that
>conflict between the athlete and team coach led to her
>dismissal from the team.
>
>However, the Guardian is usually a reliable source and
>if this story is true what has happened is totally
>unacceptable. The right of a subject approached to
>participate in a scientific study to decline
>involvement, or a subject involved in such a study to
>withdraw at any time, without fear of prejudice or
>punishment is fundamental to our ethical basis of
>working, and any transgression of this not only
>threatens relationships between sports scientists,
>athletes and the public, but clearly threatens health
>and careers.
>
>I would like to hear from our colleagues in Adelaide as
>to how much truth is in this story, and if there is,
>what action will be taken by the faculty of Adelaide
>University and the governing body of cycling in
>Australia to discipline those involved and prevent such
> occurrences in the future.
>
>I hope you will support me in finding out the facts of
>this case, and if it turns out to be true, make your
>protest to the relevant authorities in Australia.


********************************************************

Send reply to:    "Hamish Ferguson" <bkcoach@...>
From:             "Hamish Ferguson" <bkcoach@...>
To:               <MDP97IFR@...> Subject:
       Re: Research ethics Date sent:        Fri, 25 Sep
1998 09:17:51 +1200

Hello Ian

Lucy Tyler Sharman was asked to leave the Aussie team in
KL after she had a semi final ride in the woman's 3000m
cycling pursuit where she pulled her foot from the
pedals twice. She lost the ride which for her as woman's
world champ in this event was a tad embarrassing. She
claimed the coaches sabotaged her ride by making her
change pedals before the start. She also (on Nationwide
TV) claimed that they had spiked her drinks to make sure
that she did not perform. This is why she left the team.

The Aussie track cycling team has been beset with
problems with a coach who is a real dictator, sexual
harassment claims towards a team masseur and as
mentioned the use of colostrum in a cycling team know as
the "Clean Team".

You may not get much response from the Aussies as the
Governing  body is pretty quick to back their coaches
and threaten litigation towards those who speak out.

Cheers

Hamish

********************************************************


Date sent:        Fri, 25 Sep 1998 10:39:11 +1000
To:               MDP97IFR@...
From:             Stuart Morgan
<swm@...> Subject:          Re:
Research ethics

Ian,
  You have been ill-informed.  Lucy Tyler-Sharman pulled
  her foot out of the
pedal at the begining of the 3000m ind. pursuit, and
again later in the race.  Imediately following the race
she made accusations against some of the coaching and
support staff, suggesting that they may have tampered
with her equipment.  It was for that reason she was sent
home.  There has never been any suggestion in Australia
that her expulsion was in any way related to her
non-participation in any studies, nor has Lucy
Tyler-Sharman indicated in any of her press conferences
or media interviews that this is the case.  She has
however had a very public rift with the head coach of
the Australian track team, and leveled accustions of
improper conduct at some of the coaching staff.

Stuart Morgan.
>
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Biophysical Sciences & Electrical Engineering
Swinburne University of Technology
PO Box. 218
Hawthorn, Vic, 3122.
Melbourne, Australia.

Ph: +61 3 9214 8758
Fax: +61 3 9819 0856
email: swm@...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

*********************************************************

From:             "Fiona Iredale" <sckfi@...>
Organization:     The Waikato Polytechnic To:
    MDP97IFR@... Date sent:        Fri, 25
Sep 1998 10:39:47 +1200 Subject:          Re: Research
ethics Priority:         normal

Hi there,

Although I live in New Zealand I was in Melbourne over
the weekend and was able to view the story as it
unfolded (or at least the media version of it - believe
it if you will)  The cyclist in question claimed that
the management required her to change her pedals at the
last minute before a race.  This she did and both pedals
failed during the race (ie her foot came out, resulting
in losing the race).
  She immediately started ranting and raving to a TV crew
   about
sabotage by the management because she was out of
favour.  She had some really controversial things (using
colourful language) to say and would not retract them
over the following 24 hours.  I do not recall hearing
anything about the colostrum study but I may have missed
it.  The following day an announcement was made that her
very public criticisms of the management were in breach
of her contract and that she was being sent home.  I
hope this helps.


Fiona Iredale
Lecturer
The Centre for Sport Studies
The Waikato Polytechnic
PB 3036
Hamilton
New Zealand
sckfi@...
Tel +64 (0)7 834 8800 ext 8609
Fax +64 (0)7 838 0707

******************************************************


From:      "Fowler, Graham"
<graham.fowler@...> To:
IanRogersSISMES<MDP97IFR@... Subject:
Ethics Date sent: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 14:15:45 +0930

Dear Ian,
I am a cycling coach living Adelaide. I am not invloved
with the Australian Institute of Sport or the Australian
Sports Commission (by the way these are one and the
same) in any way nor do I support the manner in which
they go about there bussiness. I am not involved with
the Adelaide University in any way either.

However I do beleive there have been a few
misunderstandings on your part or at least the
newspapers. The bovine colostrum program has been
underway for 9 months or more so it had little bearing
on Lucy Tyler Sharman being expelled from the
Commonwealth games. It did cause a split in the team
while training in Colorado Springs before the World
Championship about 6 weeks ago though. Darryn Hill and
Lucy Tyler Sharman trained elsewhere. She was actually
expelled for breaching an agreement with herself and the
Australian Sports Commission. All rider had to sign the
agreement after some anonymous accusations were sent to
ASC. This caused and investigation to take place.  You
can find most of the arguements at
http://cyclingnews.com/results/1998/sep98.html   in
article marked "news".

Furthermore you will discover that the consultant of the
Drugs in Sport Agency is the AIS Cycling doctor namely
Doctor Peter Barnes, and orthopaedic surgeon. Certainly
a conflict of interest here. This is the guy who
approved its use under the premise that the growth
hormone is only illegal if taken intravenously. Athletes
were told that although the BC contains Growth Hormone
that it is destroyed in the gut. Some cyclists previosly
involved with the AIS track squad were very quick to
mention this even though they were not involved in the
program this year. This suggests that use of this
product may go back some years and the involvement of
Adelaide Uni is only recent.   I have found a recent
study that indicates a strong correlation with the oral
ingestion of Bovine Collostrum and increases level of
HGF1. I think this need to be looked at much more
seriously. Personally I would like to see heads roll.
Supposedly the BC was used to boost the immune system
but at a cost of some $18,000a  I think there was
something more sinister in mind. Surely Immnoglobulin
would be much cheaper and have the same effect.

Title
      Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on
      serum IGF-I, IgG,
hormone, and saliva IgA during training.
Author
      Mero A; Miikkulainen H; Riski J; Pakkanen R; Aalto
      J; Takala T
Address
      Department of Biology of Physical Activity,
      University of
Jyv¨askyl¨a, 40351 Jyv¨askyl¨a, Finland.
Source
      J Appl Physiol, 83(4):1144-51 1997 Oct
Abstract
      The purpose of this study was to examine the
      effects of bovine
colostrum supplementation (Bioenervi) on serum
insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), immunoglobulin G,
hormone, and amino acid and saliva immunoglobulin A
concentrations during a strength and speed training
period. Nine male sprinters and jumpers underwent three
randomized experimental training treatments of 8 days
separated by 13 days. The only difference in the
treatments was the drink of 125 ml consumed per day.
Posttraining increases were noticed for serum IGF-I in
the 25-ml Bioenervi treatment (125 ml contained 25 ml
Bioenervi) and especially in the 125-ml Bioenervi
treatment (125 ml contained 125 ml Bioenervi) compared
with the placebo (normal milk whey) treatment (P <
0.05). The change in IGF-I concentration during the
8-day periods correlated positively with the change in
insulin concentration during the same periods with 25-ml
Bioenervi  treatment (r = 0.68; P = 0.045) and with
125-ml Bioenervi treatment (r = 0.69; P = 0.038). Serum
immunoglobulin G, hormone, and amino acid and saliva
immunoglobulin A responses were similar during the three
treatments. It appears that a bovine colostrum
supplement (Bioenervi) may increase serum IGF-I
concentration in athletes during strength and speed
training.

Language
      Eng
Unique Identifier
      97479511
MESH Headings
      Adult ; Animal ; Cattle ; Colostrum *PH ;
      Cross-Over Studies ;
Double-Blind Method ; Hormones *BL ; Human ; IgA *ME ;
IgG *ME ;
      Insulin-Like Growth Factor I *ME INSULIN LIKE
      GROWTH FACTOR A 01 ;
Male ; Nutrition ; Physical Fitness *PH ; Saliva ME ;
Trackand Field

Publication Type
      CLINICAL TRIAL; JOURNAL ARTICLE; RANDOMIZED
      CONTROLLED TRIAL
ISSN
      8750-7587
Country of Publication
      UNITED STATES
CAS Registry Number
      0 (Hormones); 0 (IgA); 0 (IgG); 67763-96-6
      (Insulin-Like Growth
Factor I)


Feel free to discuss this further. As I too would like
this sorted out.

regards

Graham Fowler
Adelaide
South Australia
work graham.fowler@...
home gfowler@...

********************************************************



Send reply to:    "Andrew Jameson" <ajameson@...>
From:             "Andrew Jameson" <ajameson@...>
To:               <MDP97IFR@...> Subject:
       Re: Research ethics Date sent:        Fri, 25 Sep
1998 09:56:53 +0200

An excellent post, Ian, and a very important one. I
sincerely hope someone in the know replies.

Andrew

********************************************************




From:             "Jeremy Shearman"
<jpskiwi@...> To:
MDP97IFR@... Date sent:        Fri, 25 Sep
1998 09:42:11 +0100 Subject:          Re: Research
ethics Send reply to:    jpskiwi@... Priority:
       normal

Hi Ian

I dont know if this is the same cyclist, but was she the
one who lost in the semis of the individual pursuit at
KL to the New Zealand cyclist Sarah Ulmer, who went on
to win the gold.  If it is, then I was under the
impression she was sent home becuase she alleged one of
the ,mechanics in the Aussie cycling camp of sabbotaging
her bike. Or was that another athlete???

cheers

Jerry

Jeremy Shearman  email:  jpskiwi@...
Lecturer in Sports Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Main Campus Wivenhoe Park
Colchester CO4 3SQ
UNITED KINGDOM

********************************************************


From:             "Gordon Sleivert"
<gsleivert@...> Organization:     School
of Physical Education, Otago To:
MDP97IFR@... Date sent:        Fri, 25 Sep
1998 08:56:48 GMT+1200 Subject:          Re:
   Research ethics

Ian,

What I saw and what was reported in the media here in NZ
was Lucy unclip from her pedal at the start of the
Individual pursuit against Sarah Ulmer (A NZ cyclist).
As far as I know the colostrum incident had blown over
by that time. She then accussed Australian officials of
sabotaging her bike and flew off the handle. Evidently,
that is why she was sent home. Whether bad blood left
over from the colostrum incident contributed to her
tantrum is unknown. I also don't know about her being
forced to be part of the colostrum study.

Regards,

Gordon Sleivert
_______________________________________________________
Gordon Sleivert, PhD Lecturer, Exercise Physiology
Director, Human Performance Centre School of Physical
Education University of Otago, PO Box 56 Dunedin, New
Zealand Phone: (64)3 479 9109 Fax: (64) 3 479 8309
E-mail: gsleivert@...
________________________________________________________
_

From:             "adno" <alad.ob@...>
To:               <MDP97IFR@...>
Copies to:        <sportscience@...>
Subject:          Re: Research ethics Date sent:
Sun, 27 Sep 1998 05:12:52 +0200

Dr. Alan Adno
Park Lane Clinic,Johannesburg South Africa
011-642-4961/2/3
Fax; 011-642-4908
e-mail: alad.ob@...



Dear colleagues,  I was shocked to read the above story,
  however it is important to wait for the reply from the
researchers before any judgement is made.  If true I
hope that this unethical practise is brought to the
attention of the relevant authorities and dealt with
swiftly and appropriately. Sincerely,  A.Adno.

********************************************************



From:             Jon Buckley <Jon.Buckley@...>
To:               "'sportscience@...'"
   <sportscience@...>
Subject:          Research ethics response
Date sent:        Mon, 28 Sep 1998 15:03:10 +0930
Send reply to:    Jon.Buckley@...

To whom it may concern,

I was forwarded a copy of an e-mail put out on the
Sports Science network by Ian Rogers from Sheffield (UK)
regarding the ethical conduct of a study examining the
effects of colostrum supplementation in the Australian
cycling team.  I am the scientist who has been
conducting the colostrum research and feel that I must
respond.

Unfortunately, no matter what the reputation of the
newspaper that prints the article, sometimes they do get
their facts wrong.

Firstly, there is no study of colostrum being conducted
by the University of Adelaide on the Australian cycling
team.  There is a study of colostrum being conducted by
myself at the Centre for Research in Education and
Sports Science at the University of South Australia, but
this study does not involve the Australian cycling team.

I am aware that the Australian cycling team did purchase
some colostrum for the use of their athletes, but I do
not know whether or not the coach indicated to the team
that if they did not agree to take the colostrum their
places would be in jeopardy.  That is however, more a
matter for the powers that be in cycling than for myself
since the purchase and use of the colostrum by the
Australian cycling team has nothing to do with the
University of South Australia.

The company that funded my study is the same company
that manufactures the colostrum, NorthField Laboratories
Pty Ltd.  NorthField Laboratories became aware some time
ago of the allegations made by Lucy Tyler-Sharman
relating to the possibility that colostrum may cause
breast cancer and they would be more than happy to
address any concerns relating to the safety of their
product. NorthField Laboratories can be contacted at the
following e-mail address:

Northfld@...
<mailto:Northfld@...>


For those interested in finding out the true information
on the colostrum study, I will be present wing the
results at the Australian Conference of Science and
Medicine in Sport which is being hosted by Sports
Medicine Australia in Adelaide from 13-16 October.

********************************************************



From:             "Shirley Walsh"
<shirley_walsh@...> To:
sportscience@... Subject:
bovine colostrum powder Date nt:        Wed, 30 Sep 1998
01:51:03 PDT Send reply to:    shirley_walsh@...

To all whom this may concern.

All the athletes in the Australian track cycling team
were given the opportunity of taking bovine colostrum,
as a liquid milk drink mixed from powder, to help their
immune system as in the previous year  performances at
the World Championships in Perth had been badly affected
by the flu which had been raging throughout Australia.

Some of the athletes accepted this opportunity and some
did not.  It was their own choice.

Lucy Tyler-Sharman accepted and was quite happy to take
the colostrum.

After she had been taking it she refused to do Sports
Science blood tests - that was her choice, which was
respected.  Previously, she had been quite happy to have
blood tests done in West Australia. However, as she then
did not wish to participate in the area of Sport
Science, then on orders of the coach she was then taken
off the colostrum which was part of the Sport Science
area.

A couple of days later (after being informed that at her
request that she did not want to participate in the
Sports Science area, she had been taken off the bovine
colostrum which was part of that Sports Science area)she
came out with the objections against it with the alleged
unfounded statement that it caused breast cancer.

It appears there has been gross misinformation spread
about the above.

There is an Australian Conference of Science and
Medicine in Sport to be held in Adelaide on 13th - 16th
October hosted by Sports Medicine Australia.

Would you please advise your National Sporting bodies or
Government officers as they may wish to send a
representative as it promises to be very enlightening
and may be beneficial to all sportspersons.

I would be pleased if you would also post this message
to other forums where the previous corresponding
messages have been posted.

Yours sincerely,

(Mrs.) Shirley Walsh


********************************************************

My name is Jill Stefanowski and I am currently a student at
University of Calgary. I am looking for some information on the
software/technology that is used for exercise physiology and
anthropometry. Things like equipment that is used for testing, reviews
on the technology, and the brand names that are used. I am doing a
research project, so if you have any information that can be useful to
me it would be greatly appreciated. I do not need to purchase any
software i just need a little information on it or reviews about it.
Thank you for your time.

                                                                 Jill
Stefanowski

could you please post this to the list? Thanks.



DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF HUMAN MOVEMENT, SPORT, AND LEISURE STUDIES
FULL PROFESSOR
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

The faculty in the School of Human Movement, Sport, and Leisure Studies
(HMSLS) is seeking a Director to join and lead our community of scholars as
we create and disseminate knowledge, pursue academic excellence, promote
disciplinary integration, and foster social justice.

Contract:  full-time, tenured, fiscal year, administrative appointment;
5-year, renewable term; nominated by faculty and appointed by Dean of
College of Education and Human Development

Primary Responsibilities
* provide academic leadership for the School by encouraging excellence in
teaching, research/creative endeavors (including grant procurement), and
professional service

* serve as primary authority in the recruitment, selection, assignment,
evaluation, professional development, promotion, and
reappointment/dismissal of School personnel

* manage the fiscal concerns of the School in collaboration with division
chairs

* supervise the development of curricula and programs of instruction,
sharing this responsibility with School committees

* supervise and assist division chairs and coordinators of School programs

* serve as primary representative of the School with authority and
responsibility to represent its views and promote its best interests

Qualifications:  a senior scholar in kinesiology, sport management, or
recreation and leisure; an earned doctorate in a related academic field;
demonstrated competence in research/creative endeavors, publication, grant
procurement, teaching, and leadership; successful administrative experience
and effective interpersonal skills; ability to teach in at least one
academic area in the School

Rank and Salary: Full Professor; salary commensurate with qualifications

Effective Date of Employment:  July 1, 1999

Closing Date for  Applications:  November 13, 1998

Application Process:
To apply, please send your current curriculum vitae, official undergraduate
and graduate transcripts, at least 3 letters of recommendation that
directly address the responsibilities and professional qualifications
listed above, and 3 samples of scholarly products to:

Dr. Janet B. Parks, Chair, Search Committee             419/372-7234 (phone)
C112 Eppler Center
419/372-2877 (fax)
Bowling Green State University
jparks@...
Bowling Green, OH 43403-0248

Please include a cover letter explaining how your expertise meets our needs
and how your philosophy is compatible with our mission found at
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/hmsls.

Affirmative Action Policy:  Bowling Green State University is committed to
equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate in admission or access
to, or treatment, in, its programs and activities on the basis of race,
sex, color, national origin, geographical area, religion, creed, age,
marital status, mental or physical disability, or veteran status.

Lynn A. Darby, Ph.D., FACSM
215 Eppler South, Kinesiology Division
School of Human Movement, Sport and Leisure Studies
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, OH  43403
Phone (419) 372-6903
FAX: (419) 372-2877
ldarby@....
http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/hmsls

Would anyone have publisher contact information in order to locate a
copy of the following book:

	 Focus on Middle Distance Running
	 by J Humphreys and R Holman
	 Adam and Charles Black Publishers
	 London
	 1985

The book is out of print in the United States.  I am attempting to
obtain a copy for my library.  Publisher address, fax, telephone, or
internet address would be helpful.

Thank you in advance.

Elaine George
--
?_

I am only aware of determining fiber type via muscle biopsy methods.  I was
interested in knowing if there are other methods less invasvie that could
be a good predictor of fiber type (i.e., some type of strength test using a
Cybex unit?).  Any information would be helpful.  Thanks

In a message dated 10/15/98, 3rfmquk@... wrote:

>I am only aware of determining fiber type via muscle biopsy methods.  I
>was interested in knowing if there are other methods less invasvie that could
>be a good predictor of fiber type (i.e., some type of strength test using
>a Cybex unit?).  Any information would be helpful.

***Originally, electrophysiologists estimated the involvement of 'fast' and
'slow' twitch fibres by electrically stimulating the muscle with a transient
pulse and then analysing the resulting waves of activation with a standard EMG
machine.  Specialists working in the field of neuromuscular disorders quite
often still use this method.

Dr Mel C Siff
Littleton, Colorado, USA
mcsiff@...

>
>>ATTENTION COACHES!
>>
>>The White House has asked for assistance in spreading the word to all
>>coaches-youth sports, school and college-that October 23-30 is National
>>Coachathon Week.  U.S. Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey is asking every coach
>>in America to spend 10 minutes, at least once, with every team he or she
>>coaches and/or classes they teach to talk to kids about the risks of
>>recreational drug use - this includes Creatine.
>>
>>Sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP),  the
>>purpose of the Coachathon is to provide coaches with an opportunity to
>>talk to their athletes about the dangers of drugs.  Coaches are urged to
>>talk about how drugs impede your abilities-you won't achieve your best
>>on the field and off-if you are using drugs.  Discuss how using drugs
>>lets your teammates down.  Show that sports are a better way to feel
>>good about yourself.
>>
>>Call ONDCP's Athletic Initiative at (202) 395-6700 for a copy of the
>>"Coaches Playbook Against Drugs," a simple guide that sets out the "Xs
>>and Os" of preventing drug use as a coach.
>>
>>
>Delia Roberts, Ph.D.
>Department of Biology
>Faculty of University Transfer Sciences
>Selkirk College
>301 Frank Beinder Way
>Box 1200
>Castlegar, B.C.
>Canada V1N 3J1
>

Hi everyone!

I sent a message suggesting that you could use a Wingate test to determine
fiber type. A moderator pointed out an error in the message, so here is a
revised version.

The Wingate test lasts 30 seconds and is set at a fixed resistance...
It's performed on an arm or leg ergometer.  Fatigue begins to develop after
a few seconds, so power output gradually declines.  Generally the steeper
the decline, the higher the proportion of fast-twitch fibers (e.g. football
players), whereas the more gradual the decline, the higher the proportion
of slow-twitch fibers (e.g. marathon runners).

This method probably gives only a rough estimate of proportion of fiber
types.  It relies on a number of factors (such as 100% effort by the
participant, use of correct resistance) for its validity.

Brad

[Note: edited by a moderator.  There's more to it than just maximal effort
and correct resistance, of course.  Does anyone know of a study of the
validity of this method?]

Hello,

First I want to apologize for my English. I do not want to sound rude but my
English is quiet poor to formulate more complex phrases.
1 - The Wingate test is intended to measure Anaerobic Power
2 - The Wingate test uses a fixed resistance during the test, but resistance is
set according to the weight of the subject.
3 - The higher number of  fast twitch fibers could be infered by the power
outpout. The wingate test has been validated long ago for anaerobic power
http://www.hkusa.com/product/proddesc/binb0946.htm
3 - When you measure indirectly either by anaerobic or aerobic tests, one can
infer the amount of aerobic and anaerobic fibers, but is it possible to infer
the type of fiber once some fibers can change their histochemical pattern due
to the effect of training?
4 - I have been to a seminar where there was described a method where instead
of colecting muscle samples, a  device was introduced in thru the skin up to
the muscles, connected to an electronic microscope. I have no references.( I
believe it was a Canadian study)


Roberto Landwehr

Brad (by way of Will Hopkins) escreveu:

> Hi everyone!
>
> I sent a message suggesting that you could use a Wingate test to determine
> fiber type. A moderator pointed out an error in the message, so here is a
> revised version.
>
> The Wingate test lasts 30 seconds and is set at a fixed resistance...
> It's performed on an arm or leg ergometer.  Fatigue begins to develop after
> a few seconds, so power output gradually declines.  Generally the steeper
> the decline, the higher the proportion of fast-twitch fibers (e.g. football
> players), whereas the more gradual the decline, the higher the proportion
> of slow-twitch fibers (e.g. marathon runners).
>
> This method probably gives only a rough estimate of proportion of fiber
> types.  It relies on a number of factors (such as 100% effort by the
> participant, use of correct resistance) for its validity.
>
> Brad
>
> [Note: edited by a moderator.  There's more to it than just maximal effort
> and correct resistance, of course.  Does anyone know of a study of the
> validity of this method?]

One way to infer fiber type is to assess metabolic efficiency while cycling
at 80rpm then use the regression equations of Coyle et al. (1992) to
estimate the percentage of type I fiber.

Although maximal power tests may give some indication of fiber type (Bar-Or
et al., 1980; Froese & Houston, 1987; Inbar et al., 1981), muscle volume is
the main determinant of maximal power (R2 ~ 0.8; Martin et al., 1997).

Another possible predictor of fiber type is maximum pedaling rate. There is
anecdotal evidence to suggest a link between maximum pedaling rate and
fiber type, but no thorough study. The evidence is that 6 people with
similar fiber type had similar Vmax (Sergeant et al., 1981) and that 2
people with very different Vmax had different fiber type (McCartney et al.,
1983).

Cheers,

Jim Martin



James C. Martin, Ph.D.
The University of South Carolina
School of Public Health
1300 Wheat St. Room 102
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Voice  803-777-6887
Fax  803-777-8422
email  jcmartin@...

Dear Colleagues,

Over in Malaysia we intend to start a new course in Sports Science and
we are at present looking for CDs and IT materials that are related to
the various aspects of sports science, from exercise physiology to sport
psychology.  However, we  urgently need information on CD or IT
materials related to Biomechanics of Sports.

Any lead or information is very much appreciated.

Thank you

Rabindar

At the Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, which was held
in Adelaide last week, I presented a paper on the benefits of bovine colostrum
supplementation for sports performance.  This paper received a great deal of
publicity in both the Australian and the international media.  Since then I
have been inundated with e-mails and phone messages requesting information
about the study and the product.

In an effort to reduce the number of enquiries I am receiving, I would like to
make the following information available via this network.

The bovine colostrum powder used in the study is available from NorthField
Laboratories.  NorthField Laboratories can be contacted by e-mail at the
following address: northfld@...
<mailto:northfld@...>

If you wish to purchase the powder from within Australia you can ring the
following free-call number: 1800 554 300

I am happy to discuss any scientific aspects of the study, but please do not
contact me in relation to the purchase or marketing of the powder.  If you wish
to discuss matters relating to the purchase or marketing of the powder please
contact NorthField Laboratories.

I have included an attachment which contains the text of the abstract presented
at the conference last week.  In case you have problems opening the attachment
I have also included the text of the abstract as part of this message.


  <<SMA conference abstract (Word 97).doc>>




EFFECT OF AN ORAL BOVINE COLOSTRUM SUPPLEMENT (intact*) ON RUNNING PERFORMANCE
J.D. Buckley, M.J. Abbott, S. Martin, G. D. Brinkworth, P.B.D. Whyte
Centre for Research in Education and Sports Science, University of South
Australia.

Bovine colostrum is secreted by cows during the first few days after calving
and is a rich source of bioactive components, including growth factors.  Oral
supplementation with a whey fraction of bovine colostrum has been shown to
significantly increase serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)
concentrations with no effect on vertical jump performance (Mero et. al.,
1997).  The present study employed a double-blind, placebo controlled,
parallel, randomised design to determine the effect of supplementation with a
low fat, low lactose, concentrated bovine colostrum protein powder (intact(tm),
NorthField Laboratories Pty Ltd) on plasma IGF-1 concentrations and endurance
running performance.  After an initial familiarisation period in the two weeks
prior to commencement, 39 males, aged 18-35 years, completed an 8 week running
program (3 x 45 minutes/week at lactate threshold) whilst consuming 60 g/day of
intact(tm) bovine colostrum (n=23, peak !Unexpected End of Expression.O2 53.5 ±
1.1 ml·kg-1·min-1) or whey protein (n=16, peak !Unexpected End of Expression.O2
54.2 ± 1.7 ml·kg-1·min-1).  All subjects followed dietary guidelines provided
by the researchers and kept food diaries throughout the study period for
subsequent dietary analysis.  Subjects completed 2 incremental treadmill
running tests to exhaustion (10 km/hr, incremented 1% grade every 3 min)
separated by 20 minutes of recovery at weeks 0, 4 and 8.  There were no
differences in plasma IGF-1 concentrations between the groups at week 0
(colostrum 231.1 ± 10.7 ng/ml, placebo 221.0 ± 13.3 ng/ml; P=0.37).  Plasma
IGF-1 concentrations did not change in either group during the study period
(P=0.90).  There were no differences in the distance covered (m) or work done
(kJ; vertical distance covered x body mass x 9.81 m/s2) during the first
(colostrum 4649 ± 238 m, 155.8 ± 15.7 kJ; placebo 4464 ± 320 m, 140.2 ± 19.6
kJ; P>0.46) or the second (colostrum 4044 ± 357 m, 120.6 ± 21.3 kJ; placebo
3942 ± 388 m, 110.7 ± 21.1 kJ; P>0.91) treadmill runs at week 0.  Distance
covered and work done during the first treadmill run increased in both groups
during the study period (P<0.01), but at similar rates (P>0.69).  During the
second treadmill run both groups exhibited similar increases in the distance
covered and work done from weeks 0-4 (P>0.20) but, from weeks 4-8 the
intact(tm) colostrum group continued to improve whilst the performance of the
placebo group plateaued, such that by week 8 the colostrum group ran further
(colostrum 4662 ± 251 m, placebo 4237 ± 323 m; P=0.04) and did more work than
the placebo group (colostrum 150.7 ± 17.1 kJ, placebo 124.2 ± 18.9 kJ; P=0.03).
The TEM for running time (which equates to distance covered and work done) was
2%.  There were no differences in dietary intakes between the two groups.
These results indicate that oral supplementation with intact(tm) bovine
colostrum improves the ability to perform a second bout of maximal exercise
following a relatively short period of recovery from a prior bout of maximal
exercise.

Reference:
Mero, A., Miikkulainen, H., Riski, J., Pakkanen, R., Aalto, J., Takala, T.
(1997).  Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on serum IGF-1, IgG,
hormone and saliva IgA during training.  J. Appl. Physiol. 83(4):1144-1151.

Updated information is now available on:

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
WEIGHTLIFTING AND STRENGTH TRAINING
November 10-12, 1998, Lahti, Finland.

The Strength Training Conference is approaching and we are very busy
with the final  arrangements. We thank very much all the invited
speakers for submitting their 6-page review papers, symposium speakers
for their 4-page papers and all the registered participants who have
submitted the 2-page abstracts. In all, almost 100 (podium and poster)
presentations about various aspects of strength training and
weightlifting will be arranged in a setting where the interaction
between authors and participants would be as good as possible. The
scientific program suggests that there are very good reasons to
believe that the "International Conference on Weightlifting and
Strength Training" will be an excellent forum for exchancing
scientific information of high quality.

The program of the Conference is now in its final form and can be
browsed at URL:
http://www.jyu.fi/wlconference/

The web site contains also other necessary Conference
information, some important links (e.g. to the web site of the World
Weightlifting Championships) and registration instructions. If you
haven't registered yet, we kindly advice you to do it IMMEDIATELY by
using the Web registration protocol, since it may be difficult to find
a free hotel room later.

Researcher, physician or physiotherapist, exercise instructor,
student or teacher in physical education, weightlifting, power or
strength coach, expert or athlete: DO NOT MISS this unique opportunity
and participate in the International Conference on Weightlifting and
Strength Training on November 10-12, 1998, Lahti, Finland.

In any questions please, feel free to contact the Conference
Secretariat.

Looking forward to meeting you in Lahti !

Keijo Häkkinen
Conference Chair
Email:Hakkinen@...
-----------
Conference Secretariat
Ms. Pirjo-Leena Pitkanen
Conference Manager
Confennia Ltd
P.O. Box 35
FIN-40351 Jyvaskyla, Finland
Tel. +358 14 603 662
Fax +358 14 603 727
E-mail: pitkanen@...
-----------

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Please forward this message to your colleague!

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Regards,

Yoav Karari
Webmaster of The Congress Web Site.

Previously I commented on the use of the EMG for estimation of the gross
muscle fibre composition. Here is another journal article which relates to the
same topic:

TITLE

E.J. Kupa, S.H. Roy, S.C. Kandarian and C.J. De Luca Effects of Muscle Fiber-
Type and Size on EMG Median Frequency and Conduction Velocity     Journal of
Applied Physiology 79(1): pp 23-32, 1995

ABSTRACT

This paper describes an in vitro method for comparing surface-detected EMG
median frequency and conduction velocity parameters with histochemical
measurements of muscle fiber-type composition and cross-sectional area (CSA).
EMG signals were recorded during electrically elicited tetanic contractions
from rat soleus, extensor digitorum longus and diaphragm muscles placed in an
oxygenated Krebs bath.

Fibers were typed as slow oxidative (SO), fast oxidative glycolytic (FOG), and
fast glycolytic (FG) based on histochemical enzyme stains. Muscles with a
greater percentage of FG and FOG fibers exhibited greater initial values of
median frequency and conduction velocity as well as a greater reduction in
these variables over the course of the contraction. Regression indicated that
fiber-type composition could be predicted based on two median frequency
parameters. A weighted measure of muscle fiber CSA was found to be linearly
related to both initial median frequency and conduction velocity.

The results of this study suggest that median frequency and conduction
velocity parameters recorded during a muscular contraction are related to
muscle fiber-type composition and muscle fiber CSA.

Dr Mel C Siff
Littleton, Colorado, USA
mcsiff@...

On 2 October I posted a summary of responses on the topic of whether sport
scientists and coaches can keep track of their athletes by monitoring
anything better than time trials or real performances.  I received a couple
more responses after that, and I have now sorted out calculation of
reliabilities of lactate measures in a recent paper.  Here's an update.

First, something from me.  It turns out that lactate thresholds can be VERY
reliable.  Pete Pfitzinger and Patty Freedson (Int J Spors Med, 19,
349-357, 1998) looked at six different measures of lactate threshold.  The
coefficients of variation (CVs) were 1.2 to 2.9%.  If we take the median
measure of 1.5% (which was the value for the classic 4 mM speed), it means
that an athlete's typical variation in speed on a treadmill from test to
test was 1.4% of their typical speed.  The likely range of the true CV (not
in  their paper) is 1.1% to 2.0%, so this low CV is unlikely to be a
statistical fluke.  A CV of 1.5% is the same as a world-class 5000-m
runnner's variation from competition to competition (my own as yet
unpublished observations). So you really can track endurance performance
with this test.

Whether Kim Coach or even Sue Scientist can expect to get this sort of
reliability routinely is another question.  In two other studies, the
coefficient of variation of the lactate measure was 2.5% and 3.0%.  Maybe
in real life you can't control things well enough to get the kind of
reliability you need for the test to be useful. We must also keep in mind
the following remark from David Rowbottom <d.rowbottom@...>, in my
previous summary.  Can anyone tell us how to get around this problem?
"...There is a reasonable amount of data to suggest that submaximal
lactates may in fact be lower in an overtrained athlete.  How can you then
distinguish this athlete from another athlete whose performance is
improved, and should also have lower submaximal lactates?  In other words
an improved performance and a reduced performance will produce the same
result, rather than distinguishing them from each other."

While I'm on the subject of reliability, I have been way behind in my
reading and only recently found the paper by Pereira and Freedson in Int J
Sports Med  18, 118-124, 1997, on the reliability of measures of running
economy.  It was only 1.9%, so again, it's getting small enough to track
changes, if you think changes in economy are an issue. But you've got to be
able to calibrate your metabolic cart reliably, and you've got to believe
the gas concentration on that next new cylinder of calgas...

Here are the other replies.  I'll try to find time to give an overview of
all this in the Ferret column in the next Sportscience News.

Will

Carl Foster <KarlHeintz@...>
   About 6-8 years ago, I wrote a piece that was published in Physician and
Sportsmedicine.  In it we argued that to monitor athletes you needed a test
procedure that: a) correlated with performance, b) changed to reflect changes
in fitness and c) was ameniable to goal setting.  Since then, about the only
things we have come up with for the speed skaters are time trials on a
windload braked cycle (maximal exercise) and lactate profiles on the cycle or
on well prepared indoor ice.  We tried to do a systematic evaluation of
responses during warmup, thinking that if HR, lactate or RPE were displaced
during a standard cycle ergometer ride at the end of the warmup period we
might be able to identify athletes who were becoming seriously overreached and
intervene.  Mostly for logistic reasons, we have so far failed to get enough
data to test this concept fairly, although I think that it remains a viable
strategy.
   We have done some work with very simple monitoring of the training load and
pattern based on the perceived exertion to the whole training session
(recently reported in MSSE).  Over long periods of time, characteristic
patterns do tend to emerge for each athlete who uses it, such that they can
usually identify a pattern that is associated with impending illness.
However, also for logistic reasons, we haven't enough data with the elite
skaters to know if it works outside of a laboratory like situation.
   What no one has mentioned, is the subjective value to the coach of seeing the
athlete perform in the lab.  Whether a time trial or a standard training
session, we have found it useful to have the coach stand by the cycle, giving
the athlete splits just as they might in competition.  However, insead of the
athlete whizzing by a 50+ kph, the coach can "look in their eyes" and get a
sense of how they respond in competitive simulations.  Several of the speed
skating coaches have remarked to me that this has a value independent of any
numbers that I might generate, although they seem to like those also.  Thus,
it may be that involving the coach in the laboratory monitoring situation, to
give them a "God's eye view" of an athlete who they would never ordinarily see
up close during high intensity effort is coequal in value to objective
outcomes.

"S. Kelly Harris" <skharris@...>
   You are correct about the error and that small changes are difficult to
interpret.  I think it depends upon the quality of the measure (gas
chromatography vs mass spec) and the experience of the technician in
controlling the lab environment, ensuring the subject is controlled as much as
possible (diet, time of day, point in training, etc.).  Even with tight
controls you will still see the amount of error you mention.
   What I mean in saying "as a guide" is that many people interpret test
results, black vs white, yes vs no, and should be careful in the way they
interpret and act upon test results.  All things should be considered.  The
coach and exercise physiologist should share as much information about what
the results could, do, or do not, mean considering all conditions of the
athletes status (psychological, physiological, etc.).  Performances may be
down and VO2max may be up and the coach should be able to interpret why from
working and communicating closely with the athlete.
   I also see that you are speaking more along the lines of the world's elite
and that there are smaller changes at that level and obviously harder to
interpret if they can be interpreted at all.  Once again, this is why I use
the term "guide".  One shouldn't panic if their test scores are down 3% on a
one-off test.  As you asked, how often have the measures been repeated.  I
think you have made some very valid points in that with athletes at the
highest level when you want that 2% improvement that means the difference
between 5th and 1st, how the hell can we monitor the athletes more precisely
and reliably.  I was coming at this from my present coaching situation where I
have athletes in a local club which can see huge performance gains in a year
if they choose to do the work.
   You are also correct about the interpretation of ventillatory thresholds
being difficult to interpret reliably but I've had lots of experience with it
in the last year and am a whole lot better at the art or should I say
witchcraft than I was a year ago.  It really depends upon how many times you
repeat the measure per condition, your experience interpreting the data, and
how great the change is from condition (early season) to condition (late
season).
   ..I hope to make coaching more science than art but leave enough art in
it keep it interesting...

This is a comment regarding one of the questions raised in the
"What's Worth Monitoring Update (Oct 21 1998). Paragraph 3 read...

>"................. We must also keep in mind the following
>remark from David Rowbottom <d.rowbottom@..., in my previous
>summary.  Can anyone tell us how to get around this problem?
>"...There is a reasonable amount of data to suggest that submaximal
>lactates may in fact be lower in an overtrained athlete.  How can
>you then distinguish this athlete from another athlete whose
>performance is improved, and should also have lower submaximal
>.lactates?  In other words an improved performance and a reduced
>performance will produce the same result, rather than distinguishing
>them from each other."

In answer to this...

1 If the incremental procedure which generates the submaximal data
culminates in a maximal, therefore performance, test then this lactate
'paradox' can be resolved.

2 The same paradox may also occur with changes in dietary status.
Inclusion of a maximal test may also contribute to this being
resolved.

3  I believe that the use of  maximal performance tests to
terminate incremental tests is critical to the validity of this type
of procedure especially where data is being related to athletic
performance.

4 When an element of performance is included within an incremental
test, the whole procedure, when repeated over the training year,
logically allows an "analysis of changes in performance". That is the
ability to track changes in performance and directly relate this to
changes in the physiological properties which underpin the
performance.

In isolation, any submaximal analysis using measures of blood lactate
is subject to the concerns raised by David Rowbottom.

D.H.Saunders

David H. Saunders
FASIC, Centre for Sport and Exercise
University of Edinburgh
46 Pleasance
EDINBURGH  EH8 9TJ
Email  Dave.Saunders@...
Phone  0131-650-2589
FAX    0131-557-6398

In the recent Chicago Marathon, a female runner, low 40's,
died.  I believe she stopped running around mile 24-25,
acting dizzy etc., and died shortly thereafter.  In the
paper, the autopsy doctor supposedly attributed her death
primarily to an electrolyte imbalance, possibly caused by
drinking too much water before the race.  Secondarily it
was mentioned that she had unusually (I think they said
abnormally, but not certain) small arteries leading to
the heart.

I have never heard of a problem from drinking too much
water for a marathon, and find it particularly hard to
believe that this would cause problems at mile 25.  Has
anyone ever heard of such a thing?  Can you explain it
to me?

Thanks in advance -- mark

ps  sorry I don't have the article in front of me for
more specific info.

*******************************************************
Mark Jung Beeman                       mbeeman@...
Rush Cognitive Neuroscience Section
1645 W. Jackson, Suite 450           ph: (312) 432-5030
Chicago IL 60612                    fax: (312) 432-9332
*******************************************************

Note:  I'm not a MD or doctor of any sort, just a graduate student in
exercise physiology, so PLEASE do not take my remarks as
medical advice.  Please let me know of any mistakes...it's the best way to
learn.  Thanks.

It sounds like the condition is known as hyponatremia.  This is where the body
takes in excessive amounts of water and too little salt, thus diluting the
electrolyte pool.  You can well imagine the havoc this may cause in the body.
This was a concern at the Ironman-New Zealand Triathlon earlier this year,
where the number of aid stations on the bike course was reduced from every 12
to every 20km (this coming from Triathlete magazine, May 1998).

There was a very good article on this done in the 220 triathlon magazine in
July 1995, however, that magazine is now defunct.  The author, Dr. Mark
Jenkins, however, is a MD at Rice University in Houston, and I do believe he
still has a website devoted to endurance sports and hydration issues and such.
Try http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/medtent.1.html
If anybody wants a summary of the article, please let me know.

Not sure what the implications and co-effect of having small(er) arteries
would have on this.

Hope this helps,

Dave

==============================================================================
David Chen
Department of Exercise Science
Arizona State University

Speed is Life...are you alive?
==============================================================================

On Thu, 22 Oct 1998, Mark Beeman wrote:

> In the recent Chicago Marathon, a female runner, low 40's,
> died.  I believe she stopped running around mile 24-25,
> acting dizzy etc., and died shortly thereafter.  In the
> paper, the autopsy doctor supposedly attributed her death
> primarily to an electrolyte imbalance, possibly caused by
> drinking too much water before the race.  Secondarily it
> was mentioned that she had unusually (I think they said
> abnormally, but not certain) small arteries leading to
> the heart.
>
> I have never heard of a problem from drinking too much
> water for a marathon, and find it particularly hard to
> believe that this would cause problems at mile 25.  Has
> anyone ever heard of such a thing?  Can you explain it
> to me?
>
> Thanks in advance -- mark
>
> ps  sorry I don't have the article in front of me for
> more specific info.
>
> *******************************************************
> Mark Jung Beeman                       mbeeman@...
> Rush Cognitive Neuroscience Section
> 1645 W. Jackson, Suite 450           ph: (312) 432-5030
> Chicago IL 60612                    fax: (312) 432-9332
> *******************************************************
>
>

Personally, I really appreciate this particular discussion, and the input
from Will H., Carl Foster etc.

A few more comments:

  I think it is clear that we are VERY hard pressed to quantify the small
and transient functional changes associated with top level performance
variation, at least in the endurance sports where we this discussion has
been focusing.  What about strength and power sports?  I remember a
Bulgarian coach now at UT-Austin named Angel Spasov telling a female
shotputter I mentored at the time "When you can bench press XX kg, you will
be ready to throw XX meters. This will happen the first week in June."  He
missed the date by a week but got evrything else right.  Is their any value
in the volleyball coach measuring vertical jump to monitor if his athletes
are overreaching?  Can we predict the onset of a dead baseball throwing arm
before it strikes, with non-throwing tests?

Back to the endurance folks, my experiences with testing have been
primarily limited to developmental athletes, where the changes can be
fairly significant from test to test.  Here, much of the value of testing I
have observed comes from:

1) the teaching opportunity that is presented, if we use it to explain to
athletes what we are measuring and how we think it relates to their
training and performance.  A coach-athlete-physiologist discussion
following testing seems realy effective, if we make time for it.

2) the value of regular testing;  One-off tests have VERY limited value.
However, when we are able to tests athletes at regular intervals, in the
company of their coaches who know precisely how they have trained/performed
in that interval, then I feel like we are contributing to the fine tuning
of their training program in a positive way.  Often the coaches like the
numbers in order to put a stamp of validation on the feedback they are
giving their athletes, especially young athletes whose training efforts can
be quite variable.

3) Pure psychology: A great example is Bjorn Dæhlie, who has won 8 gold
medals in the Olympics.  He is the king of his sport of XC skiing.  Bjorn
Dæhlie is Bjorn Dæhlie's coach. He is one of the best every at being tuned
in to his own body.  However, he still wants that regular treadmill test of
his VO2 max, performed by the same guys in the same lab in Oslo.  He still
performs his 6 minute On ski performance test on the same home course he
has used for 15 years.  He still needs those pieces of feedback to confirm
for himself that he is at the right level of fitness at the right time as
he moves towards a new season and a new performance peak.

I also have some thoughts about the specific types of testing we
should/could be doing for endurance athletes out in the field and in the
lab, but I am holding my cards to my chest until I have some more results
to back up my ideas. It may be that I have a pair of 2's.  But, we can't
give away all of our secrets to each other, or can we?

Stephen Seiler
Stephen Seiler PhD
Assistant professor
Institute for Sport
Agder College
Kongsgard alle 20
4604 Kristiansand, Norway

email: Stephen.Seiler@...
phone: (47) 381 41 347
fax    (47) 381 41 301

Endurance performance physiology website (MAPP):
http://www.krs.hia.no/~stephens/index.html

Sportscience research/education website:
www.sportsci.org

Water intoxication has been reported in extreme running endurance
hyperthermic marathons, and has been reported by Noakes(*1985) to occur in
4 athletes during the Comrades Ultramarathon(52.4 miles).

When athletes drink fluid in excess of their requirements, symptoms of
hyponatremia or "water intoxication" may occur.
*(Noakes, T.D. et al.,"Water Intoxication: A possible complication of
endurance exercise," MED SCI SP EX, 1985;17:370-375.)  Of the 17
hospitalized post-1985 Comrades Marathon, 9 were shown to have
hyponatremia.  Noakes also recorded 24 cases of dilutional hyponatremia in
the 1987 Comrades Marathon, 3 of whom were critically ill, and nearly died.

Runners, or for that matter any athlete, who is unable to prevent increases
in blood volume while sodium loss is not replenished, but continues at a
rate involving more sodium loss than fluid loss will eventually suffer
"Water Intoxication" or
hyponatremic harm.

Water intoxication or hyponatremia typically occurs to back-of-the-pack
ultra running athletes in events lasting 9-12 hours duration or more.  If
they linger in aid stations drinking
excessive amounts of fluid without replacing lost electrolytes,
specifically sodium, excessive water intake will cause symptomatic
dilutional hyponatremia, and may result in death.

Elite athletes in the front of the pack tend toward dehydration of
extracellular fluids since most of them are competitive and do not stop
during the event long enough to over-hydrate.  Elite athletes also tend to
be more fit, better acclimatized to deal with hyperthermic conditions, and
practice hydration techniques with electrolyte replacement during both
racing events and training protocols.  Sport and environmental specific
preparation is the key to avoiding either hyponatremia or
"water intoxication" dangers.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH, LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, USA

POSITION:   Assistant /Associate Professor, Tenure-Track Faculty -
Fitness Specialist

EFFECTIVE DATE:   August, 1999

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must have a doctorate degree with
specialization in Fitness or related-field.  Candidates must demonstrate

evidence of successful teaching experience at the college or university
level.  Candidates must demonstrate the potential for/or record of
scholarly and creative activity appropriate to the rank offered.
Candidates must have the ability to communicate effectively with an
ethnically and culturally diverse campus community.

DESIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates should demonstrate
evidence of successful teaching experience in the public schools and/or
private sector.  Candidates should demonstrate experience in directing
fitness facilities or programs. Candidates should demonstrate the
ability to teach at least three or more different fitness-related
courses for Kinesiology and Physical Education majors, and to supervise
fieldwork.  Candidates should demonstrate experience with computer
technology. Candidates should demonstrate a potential for/or a record of

scholarly and creative activity associated with fitness, including
published research.  Candidates should have certification from ACSM or
the NSCA.

DUTIES:  The candidate will instruct fitness courses primarily at the
undergraduate level; assist with the fitness center; apply for internal
and/or external funding to support Department programs and conduct
research in the area of fitness; advise undergraduate Kinesiology and
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member of thesis and comprehensive examination committees in the fitness

area; serve on Department, College, and University committees, and
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SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with amount  of experience and level of
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may be requested to submit a video tape demonstrating their teaching in
a fitness-based course.  Video tape may be requested for review prior
to, or at the time of a campus interview.

Employment is contingent upon proof of the legal right to work in the
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University.  An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position open until filled (or recruitment
canceled).  Review of applications to begin on January 1st, 1999.

Applications, required documentation, and/or requests for information
should be addressed to:

  Fitness Search Committee Chair, Kinesiology and Physical Education
  California State University, Long Beach
  1250 Bellflower Boulevard
  Long Beach, CA 90840

In addition to meeting fully its obligations of nondiscrimination under
federal and state law, CSULB is committed to creating a community in
which a diverse population can live, and work, in an atmosphere of
tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of
each individual, without regard to economic status, ethnic background,
political views, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics
or beliefs.  An EEO/AA/Title IX/ADA Employer.

California State University, Long Beach, in compliance with the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI and Title VII), Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, handicap, or age

in any of its policies, procedures, or practices; nor does CSULB
discriminate on the basis of marital status or sexual orientation.  This

discrimination policy covers all CSULB programs and activities,
including employment.

Tenure Track positions are listed at our Web Site at
http://www.csulb.edu/~acadaffs

  CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH IS AN EQUAL
  OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/TITLE IX EMPLOYER

Prediction of fiber type by isokinetic measures was shown by Thorstensson and Karlsson (1976) Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 98: 318-322.  The researchers developed an equation to predict percent fast twitch muscle fibers from a 50 repetition test at 180 degrees per second:

        FT% = (0.90 x % decline) + 5.2

  % decline = [(ave. peak torque reps 1-3) - (ave. peak torque reps48-50)]    x  100
                                                   ave. peak torque reps 1-3

I also believe that Dudley and co-workers in the early 1980's found a relationship between fiber composition and blood ammonia levels.  However, where the ammonia may be comming from is the question -  fast twitch fibers due to the purine nucleotide cycle or it may be due to the deaminiation of amino acids.

Tim Michael, PhD
Associate Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
 

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While Will has already posted a summary to his enquiry about "what's worth
monitoring in athletes", my colleagues and I still wanted to respond, after
returning from a very successful Commonwealth Games campaign. We are
routinely and professionally involved in testing elite athletes and
therefore like to think we can actually make a difference diagnostically
and prescriptively (I accept this may actually be the point underlying the
debate, but will try to add some rationale for our positions).

Our underlying belief in testing physiological (and mechanical and
perceptual) variables in an athlete rather than simply using time trials or
competitions is that a finishing time will tell you how well an athlete
performs, but not why. A particular performance can be achieved in many
different ways by different or the same athlete at different times, but a
stopwatch does not tell you the breakdown of its component parts.

Will is right in saying that if you can't selectively train/change an
identified component then you are perhaps wasting your time measuring it,
and I will address that later. However, his first up example of measuring
VO2max perhaps typifies the continuing need to explore SPORT rather than
EXERCISE science: I was guided years back in England to see VO2max as a
potential for performance in some sports (rather than as an indicator),
irrelevant to performance in some sports, and central to performance in
others. This comes down to an argument of whether to measure capacities or
powers, and essentially highlights the need to analyse the particular sport
and assess what contributes to performance, then focus measurement there;
for example, measuring VO2max in rugby players provides a number that
everyone can relate to, but is arguably irrelevant to performance.

In that vein, we employ a wide range of tests with different sports, most
of which we have examined for reliability. The chosen statistic for this,
under the guidance of the Laboratory Accreditation Scheme of the Australian
Sports Commission, is the Technical Error of Measurement, basically looking
at test-retest reliability and interclass correlation. Taking a typical
incremental test, using an average of seven 4 or 5 min stages, we can then
measure heart rate, lactate, and power at the individual anaerobic
threshold with TEM of around 2.4%, and at the lactate threshold to 1.8%;
TEM for VO2max in such a test (not specifically designed for VO2max
testing) is around 2.7%. We have similar data for field tests such as
electronically timed sprints, the multistage fitness test, vertical jumps,
etcetera: in fact anything we forward under athlete testing for lab
accreditation.

In parallel to this, variability during training of maximal time trial
performances is quite high. I have seen an Australian male representative
100 m freestyle swimmer (best time 49.9 sec) struggle to break a minute,
and an Olympic track cyclist peak under 1000 W in a simulated sprint (best
around 1800 W). It is likely that variability of such maximal - or even
approaching maximal - tests is higher than for submax efforts, making
diagnostic tests at submax intensities preferable substitutes during heavy
training.

The commonality, whether using tests or trials, is the need for
standardisation in environment and athlete preparation, and we are
confident - as scientists - that when this is adhered to, variability in
chosen diagnostic tests is within the variability seen in elite
performance. Foremost in the factors to control is (perhaps obviously) the
athlete's state of recovery on the day.

We then explore as many contributors to performance to performance as will
help paint a picture of the athlete's current status. This includes, for
example with swimmers, heart rate, lactate, stroke rate, stroke count, and
perceived exertion at submax and maximal swimming speeds. For track
cyclists in a laboratory - where control is commensurately increased - we
may examine the same variables plus VO2 if endurance testing, or VO2
dynamics, accumulated oxygen deficit, and acid-base balance if looking more
at speed. The list becomes exhaustive as more activities are considered,
extending to the gym, the field, or the video camera.

Where possible we draw from established literature and apply in to sport.
So, for example, we make calculations of critical velocity from swimmers'
race performances (Wakayoshi, 1992; Day, 1996); to take up David
Rowbottom's point, we look at Snyder's (1993, 1995) work on the Lactate:RPE
ratio as a differential of low lactate in well-trained or overtrained
athletes; and we might look at Tegtbur's (1993) method of determining
maximum lactate steady state, independent of an athlete's glycogen levels.
Ultimately, we are striving for a complete picture of the athlete with as
much scientific control as possible to augment the coach's immediate view
of final performance.

Whether these things can then be trained selectively will always remain
contentious. However, to give but one example, we have calculated
periodically through a rowing season the relative functional buffering
capacity described by Rocker (1994), and seen it respond differently to
endurance or high-intensity training. In short, we saw sufficient evidence
that the lactate and individual-anaerobic thresholds are independent
variables, not just cross sectionally but longitudinally in the same
athlete. If we carry this belief to other tests, and apply our scientific
and coach's artistic skills, we have to believe that we can selectively
influence performance, else the training program would be irrelevant and
anyone that just worked hard would achieve success.

I look forward to any feedback, supportive or opposing, and comment on
published tests others may be applying in similar situations as ours.
Thanks.

Graeme
---------------
Graeme Maw, PhD
High Performance Manager
QAS Swimming
Queensland Academy of Sport
PO Box 8103
Woolloongabba
QLD 4102
Australia

Tel 61 7 3404 3222
Fax 61 7 3404 3205
Email graeme.maw@...

Refs.

Day & Lin (1996). Critical velocity as a predictor of female front crawl
swimming performance. Med Sci Sports Ex, 28(5), s158.

Rocker et al (1994). Relative functional buffering capacity in 400-meter
runners, long-distance runners and untrained individuals. Eur J Appl
Physiol, 68, 430-434.

Snyder et al (1993). A physiological/psychological indicator of
over-reaching during intensive training. Int J Sports Med, 14, 29-32.

Snyder et al (1995). Overtraining following intensified training with
normal muscle glycogen. Med Sci Sports Ex, 27, 1063-1070.

Tegtbur et al (1993). Estimation of an equilibrium between lactate
production and catabolism during exercise. Med Sci Sports Ex, 25, 620-627.

Wakayoshi et al (1992). Determination and validity of critical velocity as
an index of swimming performance in the competitive swimmer. Eur J Appl
Physiol, 64, 153-157.

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Exercise & Sport Sciences.  This one year program of study allows you to
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Greetings,

I'm looking for suggestions for an appropriate method to test in vivo
fatigue/endurance.  Specifically, I'm interested in a test that can be
applied to subjects with widely varying abilities (young vs. old, various
disease states, pre and post training) but is sensitive enough to
discriminate differences in function.

Here's the tough part.  There are many types of tests available which cause
fatigue but what I am most interested in is a test corresponding to the
aerobic capacity of muscular action.  There aren't many such tests
described.  For example, the classic isokinetic test (50 maximal knee
extentions) is easy to perform but it relies most heavily on non-oxidative
energy production.  The results relate more to muscle size and fiber type
than blood flow and mitochondrial contributions.

Tests like box-stepping probably target the right energy system and can be
relatively brief, but there is also variability due to motor control.
There is also more of a risk for injury.

I have considered using a cycle ergometer protocol in which participants
ride a relatively intense workload until fatigue (8-15min).  The workload
might be 70-80% of the predetermined VO2max or could be adjusted to lactate
threshold.  In any case it would be the same for all subjects.  Motivation
in this type of test could be a problem in non-athletes, so Time-to-fatigue
may not be the best variable to monitor.  Instead it might be appropriate
to monitor physiologic variables like RER, lactate, etc. and measure
Time-to-RER of 1.0 or lactate of 4.0,etc.

Any helpful thoughts out there?




Kevin R. Short, Ph.D.
Endocinology Research Unit
Mayo Clinic and Foundation
Rochester, MN 55905

short.kevin@...