|
| ||
|
|
Erickson, K.A. & Wilding, P. (1993).
Evaluation of a novel point-of-care system, the i-STAT Portable
Clinical Analyzer. Clinical Chemistry, 39, 283-287.
Jacobs, E., Vadasdi, E, Sarkozi, L., & Colman, N. (1993).
Analytical evaluation of i-STAT Portable Clinical Analyzer and use by
nonlaboratory health-care professionals. Clinical Chemistry, 39,
1069-1074.
ABDOMINAL
EXERCISES
Rehab programs for the back focus on
strengthening the abdominals. But in an
item in the previous issue, we
read that scores for bent-knee sit-ups and in the sit-and-reach tests
did not correlate with low back pain. A recent paper by Juker et al.
(1998) helps resolve this issue. They found substantial electrical
activity in the psoas major muscle in all sit-up exercises, while
curl-ups had minimal effect on these hip flexors. Activity in the
psoas increases compressive and shear forces on the joints in the
lower back, which is not good for people with bad backs. Fit
individuals should be able to handle them, though.
The authors concluded that there is no
single best exercise to train all the abdominal muscles. The safest
exercises that maximize abdominal activation and minimize hip flexor
activation are probably curl-ups, cross-curl-ups, and isometric side
support.
Juker, D., McGill, S., Kropf, P., & Steffen, T.
(1998). Quantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of
lumbar portions of psoas and the abdominal wall during a wide variety
of tasks. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 30,
301-310.
Contributed by Duane
Knudson.
BEEFING
UP TO WIN
Where will it end? In the 1920s, 100
kg (220 lbs) was considered enormous. By the 1960s the average
football player's weight was 113 kg (250 lbs). Today many of
these guys weigh around 135 kg (300 lbs). Some tip the scales
at 158 kg (350 lbs), all in the interest of knocking down
opponents. Ferret might eat more than his Wheaties and if it
meant earning $15 million, like some of these guys. But is it
worth the risk to health?
Katch and Monahan (1998) have now tracked
changes in the build of offensive linemen in the National Football
League in terms of their "BMI" (body mass index: weight in kilograms
divided by the square of height in meters). From 1920 to 1996, their
average BMI increased from 27 to 35. Advanced training
techniques, diet, and recruitment of ever bigger individuals have
probably all contributed to this increase in size.
Today these football players are muscular,
not obese. But if that mass of muscle turns to fat when they retire,
their high BMIs will put them in a high-risk category for many
diseases. Some loss of muscles mass is inevitable when they quit
the challenge of the football field. Not replacing it with fat mass
will be their new challenge.
Katch, F.I. and Monahan, K.D. (1998). Changes
in Body Size of Offensive Players in the National Football
League: A 76 Year Review of 27,744 Players. Medicine
& Science in Sports & Exercise, 30, S239 (Abstract
1359).
Contributed by Frank
Katch.
NEW
COACH, NEW PLAN?
Ferret received word that Loren Seagrave is the
new coach of Olympic Champion and World Record Holder for the 100
meters, Donovan Bailey. Seagrave replaces Dan Pfaff from the
University of Texas at Austin. Loren was the Head Women's Track
Coach at Louisiana State University, winning five NCAA team
championships while Dan Pfaff was an Assistant Track Coach at the
same university.
Seagrave has coached many top athletes including
three of the top six American women in history over 100 meters. He is
currently a speed consultant to the Atlanta Falcons and is co-author
of the Speed Dynamics training system and instructional video
series. He has served as consultant to Athletics
Australia and the Swiss National Athletics Federation and has been
editor of the sprint and hurdle events for the IAAF Level II World
Coaching Education Program.
Bailey had a competitive event shortly after
Seagrave took over. When asked if he planned any changes before
that time, Seagrave said no, he needed to get a feel for how things
are going. Are changes in store? Chile's Sebastian Keitel
shocked everyone by beating Bailey on April 26 at the São
Leopoldo meet in Brazil. Keitel ran 10.10 seconds to Bailey's
10.13. Bailey's 1996 world record was a 9.84 for the 100
meters.
Contributed by Mary Ann
Wallace.