Some students of mine are investigating the effects of over-speed training
on dragon-boat racing.  Their theory is that if you improve return speed in
the paddling cycle, stroke frequency and boat speed would be increased (ie.
minimise airtime, maximise water time).  They have completed a lit search
with no success.  There seems to be little research on upper body
speed-training.  Does anyone have any possible references or ideas that
could assist them in their project?

Please reply directly to Adrian and Des at:
rjlwilliams@... <mailto:rjlwilliams@...>

They will of course post a summary of any information.
Thanks

Dave Liow
Exercise Science Lecturer at CIT, Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Mr. Liow,

I can't answer your upper body overspeed training question directly, but I
would like to make a comment related to the underlying hypothesis.

Increasing stroke cycle frequency is not the "preferred" strategy among top
class kayakkers, rowers, cross country skiers, speed skaters etc.  The very
best performers distinguish themselves with greater stroke length, not
greater frequency of strokes. Yes, there are one or two exceptions out
there (cross country skier Stefanio Belmondo comes to mind), but the
exceptions are invariably short limbed athletes for which the natural
optimal frequency is higher.  This is actually also true for running and
cycling.  The majority of the speed increase in both (within the range of
typical endurance performances) comes is primarily achieved with an
increase in stride length or stroke power, not frequency.  In fact I would
say that this concept deserves to be called a "GOLDEN RULE" of cyclical
activity in sports.

Physiologically, this stroke power vs stroke frequency strategy is more
enrgetically efficient in that the unloaded cost of moving the limbs at
higher frequencies is reduced.  In addition, longer unloaded intervals
provide more time for blood flow to the working limbs.  Blood flow is
effectively cut off at high intensities during the concentric phase.

So, if we extend your students' hypothesis to the extreme, they propose an
optimal technique with almost zero time between strokes, and as a result
almost zero blood flow in the contracting muscles and a real problem with
lactate washout. In essence they want to increase the duty/rest cycle ratio
by cutting rest but are forgetting the physiological consequences. At a
more technical level they also propose a technique which tends to promote a
lot of "jerkiness" in the stroke, loss of rhythm and boat balance disturbance.

What the dragon boat paddler wants to achieve is probably not so much more
time with the paddle in the water, but a stroke which maximizes/optimizes
the propulsive impulse or propulsive force component x time.  This happens
with more optimal oar entry and release timing and angle, as well as more
effective stabilization of the upper torso to facilitate early phase drive
power, etc.  As in kayakking or rowing the longest stroke possible is
probably not the most effective as extreme oar angles at the entry and
release give little propulsive force and may actually begin to create a
breaking force near the point of release.

The bottom line is that I suspect there are better areas for dragon boat
racers to focus on in training then over-speed training in the upper body.

Just some unsolicited input.

regards,


Stpehen Seiler





At 15:03 25.03.99 +1200, you wrote:
>Some students of mine are investigating the effects of over-speed training
>on dragon-boat racing.  Their theory is that if you improve return speed in
>the paddling cycle, stroke frequency and boat speed would be increased (ie.
>minimise airtime, maximise water time).  They have completed a lit search
>with no success.  There seems to be little research on upper body
>speed-training.  Does anyone have any possible references or ideas that
>could assist them in their project?
>
>Please reply directly to Adrian and Des at:
>rjlwilliams@... <mailto:rjlwilliams@...>
>
>They will of course post a summary of any information.
>Thanks
>
>Dave Liow
>Exercise Science Lecturer at CIT, Upper Hutt, New Zealand
>
>
>
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

Stephen,

I'm in general agreement with your points. I well remember in my physiology
it being pointed out that if you ask people of quite widely differing
proportions to bounce up and down on their toes, they do so with remarkably
similar frequency, which corresponds closely with the average beat of chart
records. The lecturer attributed this to the latency of several key reflexes
being determined primarily  by synaptic delay, which of course isn't related
to body morphology. Whether this is strictly true, I'm not sure, but
certainly distance runners tend to run at about 180 strides per minute no
matter what their speed, and rowers tend to rate very similar levels. Having
said all that, I would note that experience cyclists tend to have peak
efficiency at higher cadences than novices, so perhaps repetition speed is
trainable to a degree. I'm not sure if anyone has looked at mechanisms at
work here, but that might be the area to look for relevant references.

However, just to be pedantic, could I just point out that your comments
about the ends of the rowing stroke being inefficient are probably not true.
Although debated, there is reasonable evidence that the rowing oar does not
function as a simple lever, but generates hydrodynamic lift as it moves
laterally though the water, meaning the beginning and the end of the stroke
are mechanically most efficient, but that efficiency is impaired mid-stroke
as the blade stalls.

On the other hand, extreme stroke length is likely to become biomechanically
inefficient, as muscles reach the extremes of their operating lengths, and
the optimum stroke length is likely to be a balance of
mechanical/hydrodynamic efficiency and biomechanical efficiency.

If you're interested, I'd suggest looking through;
http://www.phys.washington.edu/~young/208A/scull.lift.html
I was something of a sceptic until I saw this!

Dr. Rod Lawson MA PhD MRCP
Clinical Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine,
Sheffield University,
England.

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Seiler <Stephen.Seiler@...>
To: david.liow@... <david.liow@...>
Cc: sportscience@... <sportscience@...>
Date: Thursday, March 25, 1999 13:22
Subject: Re: upper body overspeed training

of the upper torso to facilitate early phase drive
>power, etc.  As in kayakking or rowing the longest stroke possible is
>probably not the most effective as extreme oar angles at the entry and
>release give little propulsive force and may actually begin to create a
>breaking force near the point of release.

Here is a collection of websites on conventional and alternative approaches to
cancer, which may be of interest to some members of the group who may have to
confront this dreaded disease.

The sites are in no particular order, nor do I especially support any
particular viewpoint, other than to stress that the situation, like sports
training, involves many factors which depend on the exact situation and
individual, so that an individualised, open-minded blend of various approaches
probably would be the most productive and humane way to go.

http://www.cancer.org/
http://www.mother.com/~wesurviv/
http://www.ralphmoss.com/
http://cancer.med.upenn.edu/
http://www.cancerguide.org/
http://wwwicic.nci.nih.gov/
http://www.nabco.org/

http://www.comed.com/prostate/
http://www.access.digex.net/~mkragen/cansearch.html
http://telescan.nki.nl/
http://www.nccf.org/
http://www.drday.com/
http://www.curecancer.com/
http://infoventures.microserve.com/cancer/

Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
mcsiff@...

Research Associate/Postdoctoral Fellow

A Research Associate/Postdoctoral Fellow is sought to join The Human
Motor Performance Group in the Department of Health Sciences at the
University of East London in an opportunity for research in an exciting
academic environment. The Group has recently opened its third
laboratory, for the assessment of joint injury, to work closely with the
existing muscle function and human movement laboratories. The
laboratory houses equipment for testing knee joint laxity (arthrometrics)
and swelling (volumetrics) and isokinetic muscle strength with additional
equipment to be added.

The present research team in this laboratory consists of the laboratory
leader, one doctoral student, three research assistants and a secretary. A
Research Associate/Postdoctoral Fellow is needed to complement the
team who are presently working on grant-funded projects investigating
neuromuscular electrical stimulation and rehabilitation after knee
ligament and cartilage injury and surgery. The Research
Associate/Postdoctoral Fellow is particularly needed for the day-to-day
running of a study comparing open and closed kinetic chain training
after anterior cruciate ligament injury. There is a strong expectation that
the candidate will undertake new directions of rehabilitation research
with the potential to attract funding and post-graduate students in their
area of interest. The laboratory has strong links with orthopaedic
consultants and physiotherapists in the community to complement the
existing links of The Human Motor Performance Group with clinicians in
the neurology and cardiovascular areas.

The ideal candidate will have postgraduate qualifications at the PhD
level (for the fellowship) in the allied health professions, nursing, athletic
training, or in the basic sciences underpinning these professions. A
strong research background in clinical trials with experience in working
with injured subjects and statistical data analysis techniques in small
sample research studies is desirable.

The position is funded for two years at a salary of 17,025 to 25,669 British
sterling inclusive. Encouragement will be given for the appointee to seek
extramural funding for continuing in this position.

The University of East London has the advantage of being close to the
centre of London (as little as 20 minutes by public transport), one of the
cultural capitals of the world, yet not far from the picturesque Essex
countryside. It is a new university of 11,000 students with strong
support for non-traditional areas of research such as applied sciences.

In the first instance, informal enquiries should be addressed to
Dr Matthew Morrissey, Principal Investigator, on 0181-849-3629
(fax: 0181-849-3625) or email: m.c.morrissey@...

Dear list members,
I am just completing an extensive review on the use of computer
applications and technology in sport psychology, research and practice.
The review includes the use of experimental design software, video,
qualitative and statistical analysis software and hardware including
POLAR monitors and biofeedback apparataus, to name but a few.

Any suggestions and examples of the use of relevant technology or
computer applications would be welcome.
Thanks for your time,
Tadhg MacIntyre

PS: a summary will be posted.
************************************************************************
Tadhg MacIntyre
Psychology Dept.
University College Dublin
John Henry Newman Building
Belfield
Dublin 4
IRELAND

macintyr@... and tadhg.macintyre@...
PH:  353-1-7062395 (o) 6276295 (h)
MOBILE: 353-86-8393630
FAX: 353-1-7061181
Time zone GMT

Imagery is everything! Perception is nothing!
************************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Mcsiff@... <Mcsiff@...>
To: sportscience@... <sportscience@...>
Date: Friday, March 26, 1999 04:11
Subject: CANCER INFO


>Here is a collection of websites on conventional and alternative approaches
to
>cancer, which may be of interest to some members of the group who may have
to
>confront this dreaded disease.
>
>The sites are in no particular order, nor do I especially support any
>particular viewpoint, other than to stress that the situation, like sports
>training, involves many factors which depend on the exact situation and
>individual,
Dear Sportscience moderators,
I'm a little surprised this post was approved.
Whilst members of the group might indeed be unfortunate enough to contract
cancer and hence need information, that seems a tenuous link with
sportscience. A quick skim through the suggested websites shows no obvious
relationship to sports or exercise, and the relationship to science of the
site proclaiming that all cancer is caused by a parasite seems tenuous, to
say the least .
Dr. Rod Lawson, MA PhD MRCP
Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine,
Sheffield University, England.

The Sportscience website http://sportsci.org is now a peer-reviewed journal
specializing in human physical performance. We have just uploaded the first
issue, Sportscience 3(1) 1999.

Some articles in this journal will be similar to those published at sportsci.org
over the last two years, but there is now a more formal blind review process for
all articles.  We also have a more formal format.  We hope to review and
reformat most of our earlier articles into Volumes 1 and 2 of this journal.

The editorial explains the unique features of this new journal.
Briefly, we have...
* sections that combine the best features of existing journals;
* accessible data and statistics, probably unsurpassed in our discipline;
* downloadable article templates to ease writing, reviewing, and editing;
* downloadable free reprints;
* a downloadable bibliographic file for importing into reference managers.

We will be publishing original research.  Please consider submitting your best
work to Sportscience.  With your help we will be included in Current Contents
and other databases of the Institute for Scientific Information.  Your articles
will then get cited more widely.

                  CONTENTS of Sportscience 3(1)

NEWS & COMMENT
--------------
Editorial: Sportscience Sets the Pace for Publishing Sport Research
     by Will Hopkins
Judging Gymnastics with Biomechanics
     by William Sands and Jeni McNeal
Researching Worthwhile Performance Enhancements
     by Will Hopkins, John Hawley, Louise Burke
A New Weights Machine with Dynamically Adjustable Resistance
     by Fred Hatfield; comments by Stephen Plisk and William Kraemer
The Power Clean vs the Power Pull for Strength Training
     by Rob Nicholson

PERSPECTIVES
------------
Learn from Nature's Competitive Swimmers
     by Edwin DeMont
History Makers: Wilbur Olin Atwater (1844-1907)
     by Frank Katch
Moving Together: Newsletter #23
     by Ken Daley
Fluid & Carbohyrate Intake in Team Games: Research & Recommendations
     by Louise Burke
Guidelines on Style for Scientific Writing
     by Will Hopkins
How to Write a Literature Review
     by Will Hopkins
How to Write a Research Paper
     by Will Hopkins

REVIEWS
-------
Effects of Protein and Amino-Acid Supplementation on Performance
     by Richard Kreider

OTHER NOTEWORTHY FEATURES in this issue
---------------------------------------
* A downloadable Excel 97 workbook of templates for creating graphs.
* A link to the eGroups.com site for the Sportscience forum/mail list.
* A new and superb Medline search form, courtesy of BioMedNet.com.
* Advice on optimizing your browser.
* Links for downloading Microsoft Office readers, or for updating
   earlier versions of Word/Excel/PowerPoint to read Office 97/98
   documents.

Will Hopkins
for the Sportscience team
editor@...

[Moderator's note:  this message was approved a week ago, but for some
reason it didn't make it to the list.  If you send a message that doesn't
appear after 24 hours, please send a query to the usual list address
sportscience@....  -Will]

I've been involved in the training of some of  Sweden's top sprint runners
for most of the 90th. It has been an exiting time  with great improvements
and some rather good results. World championship finals  in the 60m and
almost every major final in the 4*100m since Stuttgart 1993.  There is
still a gap to the worlds best though and I feel it's  time for  some
reflections and self criticism. I've done some thinking about
musclefibre-recruitment and would deeply appreciate feedback from anyone
that  feels like it!


Background

When analyzing muscular work, we assume  that available motor units are
being recruited in a relatively stereotype  fashion. This principle has
been named after its founder Dr. Henneman. We have  learned that the degree
of muscular activity is decided by how many motorunits  (MU) that are being
recruited and at what frequency they are discharged.  According to the Size
Principle, small MU are first recruited if the force and  power demands are
low. If the demand rises the frequency of already working MU  increases at
the same time as more and larger MU are being recruited.

To the neurons in the spinal cord  is signals send from proprioceptors in
tendons, muscle spindles, receptors in  ligaments, joint receptors etc.,
direct or via interneurons.  Some excites and some inhibits. The difference
(net excitation) decides the muscular tension and are influenced by
training as  well as the synchronization between the different  MU

There are probably great demands  on rehearsal before one fully masters
certain motor programs. This and the size  principle for recruitment is
fairly easy to understand and apply to strength  training with loads for
most sports. When training with maximal or near maximal  loads (maximal
strength-training) there is a great possibility that major parts  of
relevant muscles instantly will get recruited, the same is likely to happen
with a sub-maximal load done at maximal intensity (speed
strength-training). If  the exercise is executed with sub-maximal load at
sub-maximal intensity  (body-building method) the MU with the highest
threshold are most likely to get  involved in the muscle action when the
first recruited fibers give  in.

Discussion

Everything gets a lot harder to  understand if one tries to analyze a
series of cyclic contraction like for  example the 100m dash witch involves
22-25 contractions per leg in less than 10  seconds. If we use EMG, we can
see that the prime movers have very brief periods  of inactivity in the
running gait cycle. There is hard to believe that the  recruitment of MU
happens in the same fashion as when lifting weights. The  success in
sprinting probably has more to do with how well one can recruit the
fastest contracting muscle fibers.

Unfortunately EMG doesnt give a  very clear picture how the individual MU
are working, we have seen speculations  that a part of the muscle is more
active when it is able to work more  effectively in relationship to the
movement. From a recovery perspective one  must assume these periods of non
or low activity are to brief for the same MU to  be involved in every
single contraction in maximal way in sprinting.

Rather large work has been done trying  to find exceptions from the size
principle. As far as I know clear evidence has  been shown only in so
called. "Cat paw shaking" when evidently  selective recruitment of
FT-fibers occurs. There are indications that the same  might happen in very
fast eccentric contractions in humans.

In my point of view there has to be a  question of -not only selective
recruitment of fast contracting fibers. In some  way these fibers has to
take turns to be able to maintain the force-production  in more than a few
contractions. In that way a large pool of FT-fibers will be  very
beneficial for as sprinter, not only for fast muscle contractions but also
for the ability to maintain the running speed. In my contacts with the
coaches  to some of the worlds fastest sprinters have I concluded that
these  sprinters do not exceed our Scandinavian sprinters in jumping
ability nor in  maximal strength capacity. The ability to produce power
with sub-maximal load  (measured with MusleLab, Cybex or Cin Con) doesnt
seem to be greater in  this extreme population either.

For some this might sound surprising  because this individuals most likely
possesses extremely high percentage of  FT-fibers. The difference in
jumping ability and ability to produce power might  be explained that this
qualities are by tradition, a very important part of most  Scandinavian
sprint-coaches training protocol. Now the problem: A secondary  effect from
this excessive jumping and lifting might be that our athletes are
developing a pattern for recruitment that might disturb the performance in
100/200m sprinting.

Our sprinters are running around  30-45minutes per year at intensities at
95% or faster! If the non-specific  training are taking to large
proportions there might be a risk that they  obstruct the learning of an
optimal recruitment pattern.

To perform high velocity sprinting with  to much muscular activity
(problems with relaxation) is probably also negative  >from metabolic
perspective. The lack ability to relax while sprinting is  probably another
reason why there is relatively faster 100m times produced in  Scandinavia
than in the 200m every year.

Some Scandinavian sprinters with  exceptional acceleration capabilities has
been very successful especially in the  60m indoors (world championship
finals). These sprinters have not been even near  in reproducing the same
level of sprinting in 100m. This cant solely be  explained by lack of
talent, there must be something in the design of their  training too, with
an overemphasizing the importance of strength and too little  fast running.
Please observe that Im generalizing heavily and I do  understand that the
sprint performance is limited by a wide spectrum of  trainable factors a
part from the neuromuscular. And for sure, the most limiting  factors are
found in the genetic baggage of the athlete.

In the text  I'm referring to my experience with Scandinavian Sprinters.
I'm sure that some  of the problems are seen elsewhere and in other sports
to.

Regards Håkan Andersson, Sweden  (Sprintcoach)

Dear colleagues

Im helping a friend with a  tesis for his Masters degree. We have been
looking without much sucess for studies comparing the possible interference
of strength training in the development of flexibility. We need references.

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thank you


Denilson Costa, Brasil

Hi,

You can already meet in http://www.sirc.ca/revista/ the number 13 of
'Lecturas: Educacion Fisica y Deportes,' digital magazine. There are in this
number authors from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Spain,
Mexico, Sweden and Uruguay.

The text are in spanish and portugues, and the publication is free access.
Whit a lot of photographies This number tries topics like sport and identity
in Latinamerica, questions of gender, the game, the body from diverse
perspectives, learning motor, psychology of the sport, olympism,
architecture, art, adventure in the nature and more.

With this number the magazine turns two years old in the World Wide Web
producing digital information guided applied to professionals the Sciences
of the Sport, educators, specialists and interested public in these thematic.

Regards,
-----
Tulio Guterman
Lecturas: Educacion Fisica y Deportes, Revista Digital.
http://www.sirc.ca/revista/

>Hello,
>
>Are you looking for studies that have found strength training to interfere
with
>flexibility?  Good luck.

  Were looking for any kind of interference, both positive or negative. Were
not assuming a negative interference must occur as you say, but we need
references, just it.


>The only thing you'll find is when people weight
>training do not stretch, they lose flexibility.

I dont think this idea is substantiated by actual studies, is it ?  Some
research done on rats shows that a hypertrophied muscle is more elastic and
will tear if submitted to abnormal range of motion stretching much latter
than control rats muscles.

If you have any references stating that a stretching program must be
implemented in addition to full range weight  training to avoid flexibility
losses please send it to this group.

Anyway muscles contract and "stretch" while engaged in any dynamic phisical
actvity such as weight training. The degree of the stretch ocurring is
determined by the range of motion used in the exercises.

Otherwise the effect of "exclusive" use of  "partial range" of motion
strength exercises on flexibility would be an interesting issue to be
adressed.


> I would be very surprised if
>you find anything that says you lose flexibility while strctching on a
weight
>training program.

That wasnt the point, but I appreciate your comments.

>
>Jeff Cardinal
>San Jose State University


Thanks Jeff



Douglas wrote:

>I was interested in this two a number of years ago.  I found that muscle
hypertrophy, if done through a full ROM, does not compromise the ability of
muscle fiber to stretch.  However, it could be possible for some
individuals to become so hypertrophied that they alter pennation angles.

Agreeded, and very big muscles could for some joints possibly limit room for
movment, not due to a non flexible state of the muscle, but due to a
reduction in free space, now ocuppied by big muscles. This can be seen in
some very big lifters which barely can do full squats or some bodybuilders
which cant touch their shoulders with their hands due to a very big biceps
and forearm muscles.

Thanks Douglas


Also thanks Andrew for your references list


Denilson Costa, Brasil

Dear list members,

I would be interested in any information or experience with the use of the
Conconi test in football (soccer) players. I had the opportunity to test a
really representative sample - our national team (third place at the World
Championships in France last year). As the time per athlete for laboratory
functional evaluation was very limited, the Conconi test seemed the most
suitable to me. The test is videly used in several sports (cycling,
track&field...), but I couldn't find any reference for soccer players.

Thanks,

Davor ©entija
***********************************
dr Davor Sentija
Faculty of Physical Education
Horvacanski z.15,
10000 Zagreb, CROATIA
tel. ++385-1-3636822
fax. ++385-1-3634146
E-mail: dsentija@...
***********************************

Washington State University now has a website for its strength and
conditioning program for its athletes.  The URL is
http://www.wsu.edu/athletics/strength

The site contains information about our program, staff, and our new
facilities.  It also includes weight room records for all sports and a FAQ
that covers questions about our weight room, questions about exercise
technique (with picture by picture demonstrations), information about
creatine, information about pre/post-exercise nutrition, and other topics.
I will be expanding the FAQ in the future.

A section many of you might be the most interested in is the Research
section.  I have reviewed studies covering various topics such as creatine,
biomechanics, hormonal responses to training, etc.  I give a brief outline
of what the researchers did, what their findings were, and what the
implications of the research are.  These are my personal reviews of the
literature and not the opinions of WSU's program.  More studies will
continue to be added as time progresses.  If some of you read my reviews and
disagree with me on comments I have made or you see errors in my
evaluations, please feel free to email me.  I am finishing my undergrad
degree and will be starting grad school next year, so my knowledge is not as
broad as some of you on this list and thus my ability to critique research
may not be as thorough.

I am interested in this site becoming a resource for strength and
conditioning professionals, exercise scientists, athletes, and fitness
enthusiasts, and not just be about WSU's program.  I have recently added an
Articles section, which is intended to contain articles about various topics
of interest in the strength and conditioning field.  Since our site is new,
it currently only contains one article written by me about the efficacy of
high intensity interval training for body fat reduction.  Eventually, I
would like to see many more articles on other topics, and once enough
articles are on the site, I will divide them up by topic.  If any
individuals on this list are interested, you may write an article or submit
an idea to either me or Coach Roger Scharnhorst (horst@...) and we'll
take a look at it and if we're interested, we'll put it online.  We are
unable to pay anyone for articles, so this is strictly on a volunteer basis.
Some of you who are undergrad or grad students may have old research papers
lying around, and this might be a good site to get them posted at if you are
interested in people seeing what you have written.  The article that I wrote
on HIIT was actually one that I had written for a class the week before.

James Krieger

"We should be lenient in our judgment, because often the mistakes of others
would have been ours had we had the opportunity to make them." - Dr. Alsaker

Hi, I am a personal trainer.  A lady who would like me to train her, states
she has fibromyalgia. For those who are unaware of this condition, here is
a brief overview. Fibromyalgia, sometimes called fibrositis, is a common
condition that is associated with widespread aching, stiffness and fatigue,
and originates in muscles and soft tissues. The cause of fibromyalgia is
unknown. There are no blood or x-ray tests that are abnormal in
fibromyalgia. Common conditions that may mimic fibromyalgia include
hypothyroidism, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and infections.  I have found a
considerable amount of information about this condition on-line, including
Pub Med. and various web sites.  I am looking for resent information
regarding the effects of resistance training and exercise prescriptions for
people with fibromyalgia.  Thank You.
References:

http://www.rheumatology.org/patient/factsheet/fibromya.html

http://www.aafp.org/patientinfo/fibromya.html

http://www.wdn.com/mirkin/7198.html

http://www.fmnetnews.com/

http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/news/months/mar98/190.html

Please share with any Latin American students in exercise science.

Call for proposals
Student Grant Program for Latin America, 1999
Gatorade Sports Science Institute

The Latin America Board of Advisors in Science and Education of the
Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI), started a student grant program
in 1998 to promote research in sports nutrition, physical education,
exercise science and sports medicine in this region of the world. Please
visit www.gssiweb.com/prod-serv/lagrants.html for details on the 6 grants
awarded in 1998. Latin American students currently enrolled in schools in
Latin America are eligible for one of the following two new grants. A
number of competitive grants will be awarded in 1999. See application form
below.

Research project support grant (awards of up to U.S.$1.000 each).
There will be several competitive grants of $1000 made for graduate thesis
or doctoral dissertation research. This program is applicable to those who
are graduate (post-baccaleaurate) students, are ready to start their thesis
work and are seeking assistance with costs of their dissertation research.

Applications may be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Applications should include the following:
a) a 5-page summary which includes the project title, student name and
institution, rationale and purpose, reference to key related literature,
study design, methods, statystical analyses to be performed, timetable for
the measurements and budget. Three additional BLIND copies must be included
(omit student name and institution)
b) CV (resume) of the applicant:  2-3 pages in length
c) a transcript from her/his institution with courses taken and grades
obtained
d) a one-page letter of recommendation from the applicant's supervisor
e) a certification of student status from the applicant's University
f) a detailed list of other funding agencies (requested, pending, or approved)
g) a completed 1999 student grant application form (see below).

Applications must be received by August 30, 1999. Applicants will be
notified by October 15, 1999.  Recipients will present a copy of their
final report to GSSI, and acknowledge GSSI support in all publications. A
report to GSSI will include accounting of how funds were spent. Recipients
will be acknowledged in our GSSI website and other GSSI publications.

ACSM Annual Meeting Presentation Grant. (awards of U.S.$1.000 for travel
and lodging or registration support).

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) annual meeting provides a
wonderful opportunity for exchange of information and for meeting other
scientists who can be influential in the development of new directions. It
also provides a unique opportunity to share the research that is being done
in Latin America. However, it is often very difficult for students to
afford to travel to the Congress or to pay the registration fee if they can
travel. In 1999, GSSI will offer several travel grants of $1000 to Latin
American students to present at the 2000 ACSM annual meeting. Abstracts
will be evaluated based on their scientific merit. The review process by
the American College of Sports Medicine is a separate procedure that
winners must follow independently of this presentation grant.

Applications may be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The
abstract, however, must be submitted in English. Applications should
include the following:
a) a 5-page proposal that includes a description of the study's purpose and
rationale, an abstract as will be submitted to ACSM, and key references; a
commitment of the student to submit the abstract for consideration before
the pertinent ACSM deadline, and a general budget for the trip. Three
additional BLIND copies must be included (omit student name and institution)
b) CV (resume) of the applicant:  2-3 pages in length (include list of
publications and coursework)
c) a one page recommendation from the applicant's supervisor
d) a certification of student status from the applicant's University
e) a detailed list of other funding agencies (requested, pending, or approved)
f) a completed 1999 student grant application form (see below).

Applications for the 2000 ACSM meeting must be received by August 30, 1999.
  Applicants will be notified by October 15, 1999.  Recipients will present
a copy of the letter of abstract acceptance from ACSM as a condition to
receive the award, and should acknowledge GSSI support in their
presentation. A report to GSSI will include accounting of how funds were
spent and a brief report of their experience. Recipients will be
acknowledged in our GSSI website and other GSSI publications.

Both types of grant proposals will undergo a blind process of review by
members of the Board of Advisors in Science and Education, Latin America.


Board of Advisors in Science and Education, Latin America
  Luis F. Aragón-Vargas, Ph.D., FACSM
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
San José, Costa Rica

Ricardo Javornik, M.D.
Chairman, BASE América Latina
Caracas, VENEZUELA

Francisco Arroyo-Paz, M.D.
Sportmed
Guadalajara, MEXICO

Néstor Lentini, M.D.
FISIOMED
Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA

Flavia Meyer, M.D., Ph.D.
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
Porto Alegre, BRASIL

Víctor Matsudo, M.D.
CELAFISCS
São Paulo, BRASIL


Turibio Leite de Barros Neto, Ph.D.
CEMAFE
São Paulo, BRASIL

Anita Rivera-Brown, M.S.
Centro de Salud Deportiva y Ciencias del Ejercicio
Salinas, PUERTO RICO

Pedro Reinaldo García, R.D.
Instituto Nacional de Deportes
Caracas, VENEZUELA

Wálter Salazar, Ph.D.
Universidad de Costa Rica
San José, COSTA RICA

Juan Manuel Sarmiento, M.D.
Universidad El Bosque
Santafé de Bogotá, COLOMBIA



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
  Gatorade company contacts:

Salvador López Solerssi
Guadalajara, México

Jorge Taiar
São Paulo, Brazil

María Patricia López
Cali, Colombia

Marlon Monsalve
Caracas, Venezuela

Aitor Otaño,
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sandra Ortiz
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Alvaro Bautista
Guatemala, América Central

Gatorade Sports Science Institute
1999 STUDENT GRANT APPLICATION FORM -
(Please TYPE or PRINT clearly)

ELIGIBILITY: Only Latin American students currently enrolled in schools in
Latin America. Only one proposal may be submitted by each student.


Family Name__________________  Given Name(s)_____________  Title____


Department______________________________________________________


University/Institute_______________________________________________

Address   Street__________________________________________________

City____________________________  State__________________

Country____________________________  Postcode____________

Telephone number* _______________  Fax number* _________________

(*) Please include country code and city code.

E-mail address _______________________________
(Communication back to you will be via e-mail)

Student Grant Applied for:      Research _____             Presentation _____


Please mail to:
Luis F. Aragón-Vargas., Ph.D.
Attention: GSSI student research grants
Gatorade Sports Science Institute
617 West Main Street
Barrington, IL 60010  U.S.A.

Additional forms available at www.gssiweb.com/prod-serv/

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Luis Aragón

The University of Manitoba
Health, Leisure & Human Performance Research Institute and the National
Sport Centre
Position  Announcement

Applications are invited for a full-time two year contingent position at
the Assistant Professor level (current salary $41,277 to $63,134).  This is
a joint position with the National Sport Centre and the Health, Leisure &
Human Performance Research Institute in the Faculty of Physical Education
and Recreation Studies.  The appointment begins Sept. 1, 1999 subject to
final (partner budget) approval.

Qualifications
Applications are invited from individuals who hold a Doctoral degree in
Exercise Science or related discipline, with a demonstrated commitment to
the sport and exercise science field. The successful candidate will have
interest and expertise in exercise physiology, strength and conditioning
and the design and assessment of training programs.  He/she will also have
the ability to attract external funding and maintain a program of research
leading to publication in refereed journals. Experience in and knowledge of
biomechanics, nutrition, and sport medicine services to elite athletes
would be an asset.

Responsibilities
The Health, Leisure & Human Performance Research Institute is an active
interdisciplinary centre for the conduct and dissemination of research on
human movement, environmental medicine, and leisure behaviour. The Faculty
of Physical Education and Recreation Studies offers undergraduate degrees
in both Physical Education (BPE) and Exercise and Sport Science (BESS), and
a Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science. The National Sport
Centre (NSC) supports the pursuit of excellence by high performance
athletes and coaches in Manitoba through programs and services aimed at
improving performance at the Olympic Games, Pan Am Games, world
championships and other major international competitions. Responsibilities
of the successful candidate will be shared (50%) between the two partners.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in consultation with the
NSC professionals and national team coaches to provide sport science
services to federally carded athletes, national team athletes, and high
performance centres.  Specifically, he/she will play a leadership role in
the development and implementation of sport specific training and field
test protocols to accurately assess areas such as power, strength, aerobic
endurance, anaerobic power, etc. The successful candidate will also develop
and conduct a personal research program.  He/she will also teach in the
BESS program and possibly with the National Coaching Institute - Manitoba.

Application Procedure
Applications, including a description of research, teaching, and related
professional experience, and a curriculum vitae  with the names of three
referees, should be sent by Friday May 28, 1999  to:
             Dr. Kelly MacKay, Acting Director
	 Health, Leisure & Human Performance Research Institute
	 Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation Studies
	 The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2.
	 Telephone: (204) 474-7058; Fax: (204) 261-4802; E-Mail:
mackay@...
The University of Manitoba has over 21,000 students. It is located in
Winnipeg, a vibrant and cultural city of 650,000 people.  The University of
Manitoba encourages applications from qualified women and men, including
members of visible minorities, aboriginal people, and persons with
disabilities.  The University of Manitoba offers a smoke free work
environment.  In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, this
announcement is directed to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

To the list members intersted in the Conconi-test!
Two days ago there was a question about the use of the Conconi test in
soccer players by a colleague from croatia. I tried to contact him via
his e-mail adress but the mail bounced back. So I send my original
answer to the list to rech him. Maybe we may start a discussion about
the use and the validity of the Conconi test on the sport science list.

Dear colleague,
we are working with the Conconi-test for several years now and conclude
from our studies that the test is valid to describe endurance
performance in various sports activities under sport specific
conditions. We have performed some test series (original test protocol)
on soccer players but not at top athlete level. To my knowledge there is
one paper about a soccer specific modification of the Conconi test
presented by Probst (Intervall-Test für Fußballer, Magglingen 45, 1988,
11: 20- 22). This paper is written in german. If you are interested in
this paper I can send a copy to you. For me it would be intersting how
high the speed at the heart rate threshold was in your group - we
suggest that soccer players at an international level should reach at
least 15 km/h at the heart rate threshold. Another question for me is
which program you use to detect the deflection point and if all subjects
tested presented a deflection point. We are currently investigating some

basic questions about the origin of the deflection point (mainly
myocardial function, heart rate performance curve and various parameters
influencing these two).
In any case do not hesitate to contact me
sincerely yours
Peter Hofmann

Adress:
a.o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Peter Hofmann
Head: Dept. Exerc. Physiology
Inst. of Sports Sciences, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
Mozartgasse 14/1
A-8010 Graz
Tel.: 0043-316-3802329
Fax: 0043-316-380-9790
e-mail: Peter.Hofmann@...

Dear colleagues:

I do not use the Conconi test at all, so I can not speak from practical
experience.  However, I would like to make, and in most cases merely
repeat, some criticisms of the Conconi test that have been raised in the
research literature, and then drop out of the discussion so that others who
are more informed can take over.


1.  The test protocol involves ever shortening time-intervals between HR
measurements, leading to the artificial production of a curvilinear
relationship between the incomplete HR response to a change in O2 demand,
and the measured running velocity.

1a.  The deflection point seems to be highly protocol specific, unlike the
LT turn point.

2. Unlike the lactate threshold, or at least an increase in lactic acid
concentration at high intensities, which is "always observed",  the heart
rate deflection point is not observed in a substantial percentage of
subjects.

3.  Constant velocity running tests at velocities corresponding to slightly
below the velocity at the HR deflection point (when observed) could not be
maintained for a 30
steady state run by any of 7 subjects, while the velocity coresponding to
the lactate turn-point could, every time.  (Jones and Doust, J Sp Sci 15:
385-394, 1997).

3a. The Conconi test often overpredicts (but apparently never
underpredicts) the LT, often generating values corresponding to in excess
of 90% of the VO2 max.

5.  Several studies suggest that the heart rate deflection point, when
observed, corresponds to an intensity near 95% VO2 max, an intensity
approaching the HR frequency plateau, with any additional increases in VO2
ascribed to additional widening of the a-v O2 diff, or further small
increases in SV.

6.  Within a normal physiological range, no relationship between plasma
lactate concentration and heart frequency response has been demonstrated
(to my knowledge).  Isolated heart studies would be ideal for teasing such
a relationship out, but I have not seen them.

7 Ditto a relationship between circulating catecholamines and the heart
rate response.  In fact  if one were to predict based only on appropariate
myocardial responses to norepinephrine and epinephrine spillover (via B1
receptor stimulation), then the non-linear increase in catecholamines above
the LT should result in just the opposite type of deflection.  That
circulating catecholamines, as opposed to direct nerve stimulation can
elevate heart rate is demonstrated by the fact that heart rate still rises
(albeit at a slower rate) in cardiac denervated dogs (experimental) and
humans (transplant patients).

8.  If you are satisfied that a heart rate deflection occurs as a normal
physiological consequence of increasing work intensity beyond the LT, then
you must also conclude that either

a) there is a correponding upwards deflection in the stroke volume response
across workloads such that the observed linear relationship between Cardiac
output and oxygen consumption is preserved

or

b) the O2-exercise vs intensity relationship is actually non-linear at
submaximal exercise intensities.

Point 8 assumes one ascribes to the theory that oxygen consumption is
linearly related to oxygen delivery, a theory which has been supported
consistently and abundantly in the literature.


Stephen Seiler




At 10:07 09.04.99 +0200, you wrote:
>To the list members intersted in the Conconi-test!
>Two days ago there was a question about the use of the Conconi test in
>soccer players by a colleague from croatia. I tried to contact him via
>his e-mail adress but the mail bounced back. So I send my original
>answer to the list to rech him. Maybe we may start a discussion about
>the use and the validity of the Conconi test on the sport science list.
>
>Dear colleague,
>we are working with the Conconi-test for several years now and conclude
>from our studies that the test is valid to describe endurance
>performance in various sports activities under sport specific
>conditions. We have performed some test series (original test protocol)
>on soccer players but not at top athlete level. To my knowledge there is
>one paper about a soccer specific modification of the Conconi test
>presented by Probst (Intervall-Test für Fußballer, Magglingen 45, 1988,
>11: 20- 22). This paper is written in german. If you are interested in
>this paper I can send a copy to you. For me it would be intersting how
>high the speed at the heart rate threshold was in your group - we
>suggest that soccer players at an international level should reach at
>least 15 km/h at the heart rate threshold. Another question for me is
>which program you use to detect the deflection point and if all subjects
>tested presented a deflection point. We are currently investigating some
>
>basic questions about the origin of the deflection point (mainly
>myocardial function, heart rate performance curve and various parameters
>influencing these two).
>In any case do not hesitate to contact me
>sincerely yours
>Peter Hofmann
>
>Adress:
>a.o. Univ. Prof. Dr. Peter Hofmann
>Head: Dept. Exerc. Physiology
>Inst. of Sports Sciences, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
>Mozartgasse 14/1
>A-8010 Graz
>Tel.: 0043-316-3802329
>Fax: 0043-316-380-9790
>e-mail: Peter.Hofmann@...
>
>
>
Stephen Seiler PhD
Assistant professor
Institute for Sport
Agder College
Serviceboks 422
4604 Kristiansand S, 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

Dear colleagues (again):

Like many of you I will be attending the ACSM meeting in Seattle June 2-5.
Like some of you I will be flying in from Europe (Norway).  Like hopefully
at least a few of you, I will be arriving on Tuesday, the day before the
conference actually begins. I decided I wanted to get a nights/days? sleep
after the 9 hour time change.

I have hotel arrangements covered from Wednesday evening until Friday
evening.  However, I need to make accomodations for Tuesday night and
Saturday night, the 1st and the 6th.  Are there any other long distance
travelers who could use a roommate on either of those 2 nights?  I can pay
in dollars, kroner, beer, whatever currency you prefer.

Homeless in Seattle?,

Stephen Seiler

Stephen Seiler PhD
Assistant professor
Institute for Sport
Agder College
Serviceboks 422
4604 Kristiansand S, 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

I was just checking out the Ovid Technologies site http://www.ovid.com/ and
found the notice you see below.  SPORTDiscus in the most comprehensive
database of published material on all aspects of sport science.  Some of
you who do not have access to SPORTDiscus through an institution may like
to try it at the OVID site.

The people who make the database, SportQuest/SIRC
http://www.sportquest.com, also offer Web access, but they no longer offer
a month's free trial.

You can access these links via the Search the Net page at Sportscience
http://sportsci.org.

Will

P.S. I do not have a commercial interest in Ovid or SPORTDiscus.

  Ovid's Database of the Month Program!

  Each month, Ovid gives users an easy way to "test drive" one
  database a month from our catalog - at no charge. At the
  beginning of each month, we will offer a new database for you
  to sample. For more information on the Database of the Month
  program and this month's selection, simply click on the
  calendar. This will provide you with background on, and
  highlights of, the selected database, special features offered
  by the Ovid software and information on how to access and
  register for the Database of the Month. Register once and
  you'll be ready to search the Database of the Month using the
  Ovid Web Gateway as often as you'd like for the entire month!

  Return here often for updated information on forthcoming
  preview databases, special offers, and related information. The
  Database of the Month for April is:  SPORTDiscus

Listserve members,

I was recently playing around with some muscle tissue and measured
intramuscular TG concentration using a TG kit from Sigma. My problem is
that the concentration is in mg/dl. I need to convert this value to
micromoles/gm. Any help with this conversion would be very much
appreciated.  I do have tissue weight prior to homogenization recorded and
know the concentration of the standard.

Sincerely,

Matt Samuels, RD, LD
The Sports Nutrition Connection
http://rampages.onramp.net/~msam
"Providing accurate, scientifically-based sports nutrition information to
help the competitive and recreational athlete reach their maximum potential"

Hello,

I'm trying to freely access AMED (Alternative and Allied Medicine
Database) from the Internet. I did a search for the database and found
access to it from the University of South Australia's Web site:

http://www.library.unisa.edu.au/database/amed.htm

Unfortunately, a username and password is needed to access AMED from
outside the University campus.

Does anyone know how I can access AMED, preferably for free, from the
Internet?

Any help with this matter would be much appreciated.

Kindly,

Bruce

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   Bruce J. Ketchum, Editor and Publisher
      EndurePlus and endureplus.com
              398 Briar Avenue
          Ottawa, Ontario K1H 5H6
                  Canada
              (613) 523-3869
          bketchum@...
         http://www.endureplus.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello Fellow Sport Scientists,
   We have recently purchased a Biodex System 3 dynamometer and we have
encountered a problem with the isotonic mode of operation.  The purpose of
this posting is to alert other users and to seek a possible solution.
    There is a problem with the Biodex maintaining isotonic loading under
all test conditions.  This is especially noticeable when high isotonic
loads are selected (greater than 130 ft.lbs or 174 N.m).  When high loads
are selected and torque is applied to the armature, the mechanism begins
to move prior to the targeted load being achieved.  For example, if you
select 140 ft.lbs (187 N.m) as the isotonic target load and slowly apply
an increasing torque to the armature, the mechanism will begin to slowly
move at about 110 ft.lbs instead of 140 ft.lbs)
    Engineers at Biodex have acknowledged that the problem exists with the
isotonic mode of operation when the armature speed is less than 30 degrees
per second but they have not offered a remedy.  This limitation could have
serious implications for scientists planning to use the Biodex in the
isotonic mode.  If anyone has solved this problem or is aware of a
possible remedy, please let me know and I will pass it on to the
manufacturer and the rest of the list.  Thank you.
_________________________________________________________________________
\                                                                       /
   \ /|                      Jim Dowling, Ph.D.                     |\ /
      |    ,                                                   ,    |
      |  / |_ .             Associate Professor             . _| \  |
      |/      |_         Department of Kinesiology         _|      \|
               /            McMaster University            \
             /           Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1           \
           /                      CANADA                       \
         /                (905) 525-9140 Ext.23572               \
          \                 Fax: (905) 523-6011                 /
+---------'                                                   `---------+
|      Ask an inappropriate question to get an appropriate answer.      |
|_______________________________________________________________________|

Abstracts for the 1st International Conference on Science and
Technology in Climbing and Mountaineering are now available on the web
at:

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/sports_science/abstracts/climb99/


Neil.

I would be grateful if you could advertise this job vacancy on your website.
Many thanks

University of Strathclyde

                            Lecturer in exercise physiology,

The Scottish School of Sport Studies invites applications from candidates
with a higher degree in exercise physiology or a related area for a
lectureship(tenable for 5 years in the first instance). The successful
candidate will contribute to the teaching and consultancy work of the
department and will be expected
to play a significant role in research, which presently focuses on 2 areas
thermoregulation and the elderly.
Salary up to £21,815 per annum For an application form and further
particulars please contact the personnel office , Jordanhill Campus,
Southbrae Drive Glasgow G13 1PP. 0141 950 3260

<< posted by Prof. M. Nimmo>>

This excerpt from an email I received today from a disgruntled female
athlete I have consulted with on training.  She has just left her team, in
large part due to open suggestions of drug use. Has anybody seen the data
on which her comments regarding EPO below are based?

Stephen Seiler

*************************************************************************
........UCI have risen the red danger mark from 45 to 47 for females -
probably due to the fact that around 25% of the female Tour de
France peloton were tested  haemacrit above 45 - but UCI can't
get rid of 1/4 of female riders AND can't prove the evidence of EPO
taking- so have lifted their limit?

But recently in French tests - the one which is mandatory for
everyone - which I had to take: OVER half of ALL competitive
French cyclists tested so far had 5 times the normal iron levels in
their blood. I could find you the quote in Cycling Weekly if you don't
believe me on face value.  Doctors are shocked with the findings
and have said that 60% of all french pelotons should quit their jobs
if they don't want to get cancer of the liver etc.....

..and the suspicions go on.  I don't want to go into all my own
suspicious experiences with team mates - there have been many
instances for me - <snip> being tied up to drips...?. The sport in my
opinion IS dirty and I believe that the women's drugs in sport are far
worse than the mens because the  women go innocently 'un-
noticed';


**************************************************
Stephen Seiler PhD
Assistant professor
Institute for Sport
Agder College
Serviceboks 422
4604 Kristiansand S, 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

Stephen, this is the source article.
If the federations were serious about stopping doping, blood tests
would be mandatory, and they would have to actually test those
samples, and if cyclists were serious about stopping doping,
they would agree to it.

Ian Rodger
Sport Science Dept. University of Cape Town

News for February 1, 1999
French Drugs Report
These articles appeared in a special section of the French newspaper
"Liberation", on January 26, 1999. The title of the series was
entitled Doped to Death. Alarming diagnosis for French cyclists: 60%
of the racers tested have biological disorders

This article was written by Jean-Louis Le Touzet and Philippe
Rochette.

The status of the French peloton's health is alarming. The
comprehensive longitudinal control of the cyclists' health instigated
by the French Federation at the request of the Minister of Youth and
Sport has produced its first results. Some have said it means that
"half of the professional peloton should be taken off the job". As the
season is about to start, Liberation has learned of the first
conclusions of the epidemiological study including, at the moment, 200
French cyclists, or about half of the professional and Elite category.
This medical study of the cyclists with four thorough examinations
each year was initiated following the doping affair of the 1998 Tour
de France. The study includes two approaches: a physiological exam
(endurance test) and a biological phase, with hematological,
biochemical, and immunochemical tests. According to the coordinator of
the study, Dr. Gerard Dine (hematologist and director of the
Biotechnological Institute at Troyes), it appears that 60% of the
racers who have undergone the longitudinal control to date have "cases
of serious biological disorders that should be the object of
scientific study".

According to the first versions of the report, which is not yet
finished even though nearly all of the professional peloton has
undergone the control, 60% of the racers have biological disorders and
"an anomaly in iron metabolism". In 90% of these cases, "an excess of
iron has come to light", which indicates repeated use of EPO
(erythropoietin) "which we associate with injected iron supplements".
In 65% of these cases, the first conclusions not "a serious
disturbance of lipid metabolism which also arises from foreign
substances"; in this case, injections of corticosteroids and other
hormones. Among the racers affected by this problem, 40% have
indications of liver or pancreatic damage. The iron levels found among
the professionals are astounding: they are greater than 500 ng/l
(nanograms/liter) in 90% of the cases, and a normal subject has iron
levels lower than 100 ng/l. Levels of 1000 ng/l were found in more
than 20% of the professionals. The report also notes that levels as
high as 1200 ng/l and even 2000 ng/l.

One of the consequences of these levels is the risk of developing
liver or lymphatic cancer. According to a source working with the
fight against doping at the Ministery of Youth and Sport, "these
results confirm the importance of looking at a population at risk,
whose profiles are, at a minimum, not normal. It is up to the doctors
to do something. No one else can."

Further, the official is "surprised and concerned by the status of the
peloton's health. Honestly, I thought that cyclists were in better
health. Especially since the peleton had warning and a chance to make
adjustments before the season began. Either the doctors didn't know
these facts, or they did know, in which case the absence of any
response is surprising. And other parameters are worrisome, with
levels that lead one to believe that anabolic steroids are being
taken."

For Dr. Guillaume, the physician of Francaise des Jeux, "for the
moment it is out of the question to make major changes. The kinds of
problems that were found, we knew they existed but maybe we didn't
appreciate their importance. We didn't have a global picture at any
one instant. The results of this first longitudinal control prove that
these anomalies last some time. We can't stop everything just because
of these first results. The season will start. We'll know more in
three months."

Iron, a dangerous substance. Cirrhoses, cancers ... two physicians
analyze the consequences of an overdose of iron.

This article was written by Eric Favereau and David Dufresne with
comments from Pierre Laton, chief of endocrinology at the Cochin
Hospital, Paris.

An overload of iron is anything but harmless. It can have serious
long-term consequences for the patient, because it acts directly on
the liver, and can lead to cirrhosis or cancer. In humans, there is
even a disease that is characterised by an overload of iron:
hemochromatosis. It is a genetic disease, and it must be treated by
repeatedly bleeding the patient; but sometimes its progress cannot be
stopped, and cancer may follow. In the case of elite athletes, this
iron overload immediately brings to mind the use of EPO, augmented
with iron injections. EPO increases the level of red blood cells, and
a supply of iron is needed for this increase. The two go together.

The second issue is the serious disturbances of lipid metabolism. This
condition could arise from a diet that is too rich in animal fats.
Another possible cause would be the use of corticosteroids, but it
would have to be large doses.

The third issue concerns the anomalies in liver and pancreatic
metabolism. There are several possible causes, but in this cases the
most likely is secondary effects of taking certain drugs, which have
toxic effects upon the liver and pancreas.

Whatever the cause of the problems, it is the high iron levels that
should be taken most seriously, judging from the preliminary results.

Comments from Riccardo Iacoponi, biologist and nutritionist, consult
to the Italian Senate on the anti-doping law that is currently under
consideration:

The body can absorb a maximum of 2% of ingested iron. Taking EPO
results in proliferation of red blood cells that are rich in iron, and
allows more iron to be incorporated. The problem occurs when the
subject stops his or her athletic activity.

The excess of red blood cells break down in the liver and release
their iron. This substance is very toxic at these levels and can
affect any organ.

This phenomenon, which specialists liken to hemochromatosis, a fairly
rare disease (see above). can be associated with certain accidents
which, accoring to Iacoponi, may have been the cause of the health
problems suke care to do it gradually and to take care of themselves
as if they had hemochromatosis."

Prevention is the right approach

Reported by Jean-Louis Le Touzet

Daniel Baal, president of the French Cycling Federation and
vice-president of the UCI, coments upon this first epidemiological
study of the peloton.

How do you react to the numbers?

At this time, nearly all of the professional racers have undergone
this thorough testing. According the the information at my disposal,
we are now becoming aware of the seriousness of the doping problem.
These preliminary results support our preventive and medical approach.
>From the evidence, it did not make sense to continue to impose
sanctions. We were not making any progress and we still had very few
positive results. That said, I am nevertheless very surprised by the
consequences for the racers. Many people have said to me "Why are you
attacking the use of EPO? It's not a dangerous drug!"

Is it necessary to stand down half of the peloton, as certain doctors
have suggested?

First, contra-indicating cycling is not a good way to take care of the
racers. It would be dangerous to draw conclusions too hastily, because
we have to judge the results over time. What we see from the first
tests is that riders are taking legal and illegal products in a
disorderly manner. This is why we have decided to stop two racers from
competing, for their own good. Right now, our concern is to take care
of the racers. We are acting in the interests of public health.

Thanks to Heather Williams for providing the complete translation.

----- Original Message -----
From: Stephen Seiler <Stephen.Seiler@...>
To: <sportsci@...>
Sent: Monday, April 19, 1999 15:59
Subject: Drug use in women's cycling


> This excerpt from an email I received today from a disgruntled female
> athlete I have consulted with on training.  She has just left her team, in
> large part due to open suggestions of drug use. Has anybody seen the data
> on which her comments regarding EPO below are based?
>
Stephen,
Here's a copy of a post I made to rec.bicycles.racing at the end of January,
consisting mostly of a translation of an article in Liberation, plus a few
comments;

Diagnostic alarm for French cyclists. 60 % of racers tested suffer
biological abnormalities.

By Jean-Louis le Touzet and Philippe Rouchette Tuesday, 26th January, 1999
  The health of the French peloton is alarming. Longitudinal tests - footnote
one - of the health of cyclists instigated by the French federation at the
request of the Ministry for Youth and Sport has published its first report.
This has led some people to say that, "half of the professional peloton
should be stopped from riding". Now that the season is just a week away,
Liberation has been able to see the early conclusions of this epidemiogical
study carried out for now on 200 French cyclists, that is, about half of
professional and Elite 2 riders (the lower echelon). The following medical
study, with four detailed check ups per year, has seen the light of day in
the wake of the doping scandal of the Tour de France, 1998. The study
comprises two stages; a physiological stage (test of endurance) and another
biological test, which consists of biochemical, haematological, biochemical
and immunological analyses. On reading this work, carried out under the
authority of Dr. Gerard Dine, haematologist and president of the
Biotechnological Institute of Troyes, it appears that 60% of riders who
submitted to "longitudinal study" showed "serious biological abnormalities
which should be the subject of a scientific study." According to the first
part of the report, which is not finished, even if today practically the
whole of the professional peloton submitted to this check, 90 % of riders
would present biological abnormalities and "an anomaly in the metabolism of
iron". In 90% of cases, the study brings to" light an excess of iron" which
shows a repeated taking of EPO (erythropoietin, which enhances the
oxygenation of the muscles and prolongs effort) "which one associates with
injections of iron". In 65% of these cases, the first important conclusion
is "a serious problem with lipid metabolism which arises also from
iatrogenic mechanisms"; this is about injections with corticosteroids and
diverse hormones. Among the riders affected, 40% present abnormalities of
the liver and pancreas. The "ferritin levels" recovered from these
professionals were extravagant: they were more than 500 ng/l (nanograms per
litre) in 90 % of cases when a normal subject has a ferritin level below 100
ng/l. For more than 20% of the professionals, the levels were up to 1000
ng/l. According to the report, levels were found up to 1200ng/l and even up
to 2000 ng/l. The risk in the medium term is of developing cancer of the
liver or kidneys (read below). Gerard Dine, whom we joined yesterday, has
not denied these figures. He has however reminded us; "we are only half way
through the medical report. What we can say is that there are disorders
relating to iron metabolism". He confirms nonetheless that the results are
disturbing: "One imagines that excess iron with poisoning can bring about
cellular damage". He does not want for the moment to bring up the risk of
cancer, like the first conclusion of the report. For him, it is urgent "to
take charge of a number of riders for internal haematology tests".

According to an official from the antidoping team at the minister of Youth
and Sports, "these results confirm the necessity of watching over an a
population at risk with profiles which, at the very least, do not conform to
normality. It will be up to doctors to act. No-one else can." The official
is "incredibly surprised and concerned by the health of the peloton.
Honestly, I thought of cyclists as being in the best of health. It is even
more surpising that the peloton were warned and that this happenend out of
season. Either doctors did not have access to these facts, or they knew
about them in which case, their lack of reaction is surprising. Other
parameters are worrying, with tests which suggest the taking of anabolic
steroids". For Doctor Guillaume, team doctor for the cycling team Francaise
des Jeux; "It is out of the question for the moment to put in place an Orsec
plan. We knew that anomalies like those detected existed but we didn't
perhaps recognise the importance of them. You can not take in a global
picture in an instant. The result of this first longitudinal control proves
that these anomalies are lasting. You can't know everything on the basis of
these early results. The season is just about to begin. We will know more in
three months; first of all, in France, everyone will be at the same level,
but with foreign teams, there will be two levels of cycling. If the attitude
of the French does not extend to the whole peloton, then it's fucked up".
According to our information, a young rider in the centre of France presents
with "insufficiency". He risks a heart attack. This disfucntioning is tied
up with the taking of corticoids; "for years". Yesterday, the French cycling
federation in a communique, presented a less alarming picture; "The first
results reveal a certain number of anomalies. They may or may not show that
illegal products have been used". The FFC (French Cycling Federation)
yesterday; "Had formalised two statements of temporary inaptitude".
Apparently, it seems that this 'grounding' is linked with the use of
corticoids. A second study will be carried out in three months. 1)
Longitudinal control is a preventative method which consists of periodic
surveillance of the metabolism of the riders and to eventaully detect the
taking of illegal biomedical products, undetectable by classic controls. I
think it is worth just pointing out that; 1) These are provisional
conlucions of an incomplete staudy. 2) The official comment is that the
abnormalities found merit, "additional scientific study", rather than saying
they are conclusive proof of anything in particular. 3) The Liberation
report is too general to allow detailed comments; it suggests that 40 % had
liver and pancreas abnormalities, but doesn't comment on how these were
measured. 4) The link of the abnormalities seen to controlled substance
abuse may well be true. Nevertheless, this is extrapolation rather than
proof, e.g. a) As I pointed out earlier, widespread use of parenteral iron
preparations antedated EPO use. This would give high ferritin levels without
having ot invoke EPO at all. b) The lipd abnormalities are unspecified. We
know from PDM/Sean Kelly disasters that intravenous lipid suspensions may be
used rountinely. I doubt there is much data to show the effect of these on
serum lipids in those undergo intense and/or high volume exercise; most
research will realte to use in hopitalised, sedentary individuals. It is
quite concievable that this could give derranged lipid metabolism, and would
certainly give odd results if blood samples were taken at all close to the
time of an infusion. Just by way of trolling, perhaps the French cyclists
are all experimenting with a 40-30-30 diet? c) I'm a little puzzled by the
frequent references to "corticoids". I presume the "insufficiency" refereed
to in this context was a secondary Addisonian Crisis, precipitated by their
withdrawal. Glucocorticoids are generally associated with tissue catabolism
rather than build up, so it seems an odd thing to use long term. It will be
very interesting to see what light follow up studies show on these studies.
I must say that if these abnormalities do indeed prove to be secondary to
widespread drug abuse, then there's been some very poor doping going on!!!!!



I hope that's of some interest, and isn't excessively long!
Dr. Rod Lawson, MA PhD MRCP
Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine, Univ. of Sheffield, UK