Great stuff to ponder on your next run. A wrap up of this week’s articles on exercise science as tweeted by Amby Burfoot, Editor at Large of Runner’s World Magazine. You can follow Amby’s tweets at http://twitter.com/exerscience and his Runner’s World blogs at http://peakperformance.runnersworld.com and http://footloose.runnersworld.com.
Ultra marathon performance linked to high training and low bmi. Nausea and blisters = big DNF problems. http://1.usa.gov/gseDZn
Among female recreational half-marathoners, faster training paces linked to lower body fat and faster race times. http://1.usa.gov/hOsxsp
Hip abduction tip: When doing side leg raises, extra weight on legs gives no extra benefit. http://1.usa.gov/gtubW3
Exercise nutrition expert Louise Burke’s thoughts on the risks-benefits of training with a low-glycogen supply. http://bit.ly/ij3HNb
Blood doping probably does more than just increase hematocrit. Benefits are likely multifactorial, include even mood. http://bit.ly/gOce5o
After 30 years, long-term cross-country skiiers have lower death rate than nonskiiers. http://1.usa.gov/h1gY94
In large cohort of nordic skiiers, those who race often with fast times have higher incidence of osteoarthritis. http://1.usa.gov/f7PXJC
Cardiac-screening study: In Singapore, ECG screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy yields prevalence of just .005 %. http://bit.ly/hWjgS4
The plot thickens (of course): Different genes influence runner responses to an antioxidant oil. http://1.usa.gov/gAJyB5
Fitness (vo2 max) more important than total physical activity (like slow walking) to reduce all-cause mortality. http://1.usa.gov/bDLYc6
ACSM expert warns “perhaps some important losses may even occur” from antioxidant supplements. So eat fruit, veggies. http://bit.ly/fkhOH8
Marathon training yields quadriceps fiber changes–some get bigger, some smaller–”very specific” to training done. http://1.usa.gov/i0uoiD
My new Peak Performance blog: Does pre-marathon travel increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis? http://bit.ly/hDI2bC
Happy Social Security! Exercise level at age 65 “strong predictor of well being” 7 years later. http://1.usa.gov/hW5nN5
Wow, a controlled light exercise trial with 90 yr olds! Exercise boosts muscle strength, decreases risk of falls. http://1.usa.gov/eQqM4r
Motiving people to exercise is huge challenge. Here, “10,000 steps” goal better than “30 minutes.” http://1.usa.gov/eQqM4r
Amazing how all the nitrate studies are yielding positive results. Here with subjects who have peripheral artery disease. http://1.usa.gov/eLAviX
At a submax pace, barefoot running uses 2 to 5.7% less oxygen (is more economical) than shod running. http://1.usa.gov/g7vyR5
Viagra does not improve endurance performance (15K cycle time trial) in men or women at mod or high altitudes. http://1.usa.gov/fAHpQd
What’s best max HR formula? Croatian Army likes: 205 – (age/2). http://1.usa.gov/fAHpQd
Boston Marathon, with fast qualifying times, has < cardiac death rate than other marathons: 1/374,000 vs 1/128,000. http://bit.ly/dPspBt
The more workouts per week throughout life, the stronger and more flexible the heart in old age. Conf. presentation. http://yhoo.it/hOpuDn
Multivitamin use has no mortality effect, good or bad. Eleven year follow up of 182,000 participants. http://1.usa.gov/fUtIa8
During “block” of heavy training, extra protein reduces psych stress and may lessen performance loss. http://1.usa.gov/becwuC
In heat, caffeine raises body temp slightly, does not improve endurance performance of cyclists. http://1.usa.gov/fV9rm6
Among 198 beginning runners (>10:00/mile), no significant injury effect for peak force or loading rate. http://1.usa.gov/eOuCsq
Meta-analysis: Dehydration to 4% not a factor in time-trials (more like real races than “duration” tests). http://bit.ly/hovjy4
Use of cooling vest during warm up for hot 10K run fails to produce meaningful performance differences. http://1.usa.gov/evMgzq
Cardiac biomarkers back to norm 72 hrs post marathon. From Germans who have published troubling mara-heart studies. http://1.usa.gov/gj62aW
Latest study of cardiac events in marathons: 1 death/128,000; 1 “arrest”/45,000. From total 1.4 million runners to ’09. http://1.usa.gov/eTHVTb
Great study: How training regulates gene expression, ie, endurance vs strength. Plus mitochondria and fat-carb utilisation. http://bit.ly/glWhg0
Doh science: Running across the side of a hill creates many atypical forces, possibly injurious. http://1.usa.gov/gSiDf5
Post-exercise chocolate milk beats carbs-only for subsequent performance and protein synthesis. http://bit.ly/fFTMMO
