A new study looks at the effects of endurance running on the body. A report presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) that shows what fat and muscle tissues are used during running. Research was conducted during the TransEurope-FootRace 2009, that took place from April 19 to June 21 last year and covered 4,488 kilometers traveling from the southern tip of Italy to the North Cape of Norway. Continue reading The Physiology of the Endurance Run
It all comes down to geometry. A bike frame is essentially two triangles. Both the angle and length of each side of the triangle is determined by its two other sides. EcoVelo has an interesting look at how geometry affects the fit of a bike, even when the triangle is the same height, the angle can yield very different results. This is true to determine stand over height, which the article discusses. Another consideration in bike fit is the reach. Very often a road bike will have a longer reach for better aerodynamics. When I bought my last road bike, the shop owner pointed out that Felt bikes tend to have a shorter reach, which is a better fit for me and that became the deciding factor. It’s a good idea to consult a good shop that will be able to fit you for a bike, and also know the differences between the different brands, for example the reach on Felt bikes, and be able to help you find the bike that will fit you best rather than just make a sale.
via [EcoVelo]
There is no denying that there are some pretty useless mobile phone apps on the market, but this week one app that was released could really do some good.
Today is the Great American Smokeout, and now comes the UCSF/SFGH Stop Smoking application for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It is the result of a joint effort from the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (SFGH) and the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), and it is aimed at helping smokers quit by including mood among the triggers for smoking . The app uses a successful cognitive behavioral therapy program developed at SFGH and is now available for purchase from iTunes
Proceeds from UCSF/SFGH Stop Smoking – which serves English and Spanish speakers – help fund further online and mobile health research at SFGH and UCSF. The launch of this new tool coincides with Great American Smokeout on November 18 – a national day to encourage smokers to quit. Continue reading Great American Smokeout: There is an App for That
Feeling sluggish? A hit of Red Bull or similar energy drink will solve that, because as the ad campaign says, “it gives you wings.” Of course with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee and a quarter cup of sugar it is no doubt that a can of an energy drink will get the motors running.
According a recent study from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston the drinks can be a problem, and mixed with alcohol can be dangerous or even lethal. Well the sound of a cup of coffee with sugar isn’t a big deal, how many people drink cup after cup after cup of coffee? That’s part of the equation; the other apart is what the combination of herbs and vitamins can do, especially when mixed with concentrations of caffeine. Probably something like a racing heart, hypertension and anxiety, as well as headaches and even problems sleeping. One thing the energy drinks don’t do is actually give you wings. Continue reading Are Energy Drinks Dangerous to One’s Health?
This week Panasonic announced that it will sponsor for the 2011 World Heart Day that will take place on September 29, 2011. Currently, according to the World Health Organization, heart disease and stroke remain the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year. World Heart Day was created by the World Heart Federation in 2000 with the goal of informing people around the world about the risk of heart disease and stroke.
“We are thrilled to welcome Panasonic, as a new sponsor of World Heart Day in 2011, said Kathryn Taubert, Senior Science Officer from the World Heart Federation. “Their support will mean we can further raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, and educate people on the steps they can take to lower their risk.”
Earlier this year Panasonic changed its subsidiary name form Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Company to Panasonic Healthcare Company. It also has announced the formation of CardioNexus Corporation, an initiative to enter the application-specific device market and a step toward establishing a leadership position in the field of Personalized Preventive Medicine through early disease detection and home healthcare.
“Panasonic strives to be a leader in Personalized Preventive Medicine and by sponsoring the 2011 World Heart Day – we want to help emphasize the importance of living healthy lifestyles, and understanding the risks associated with heart disease,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Working together with the World Heart Federation, a global entity, makes this a powerful platform to educate the world with medical facts, as well as participate in local activities.”
To further the company’s commitment to Personalized Preventive Medicine and the importance of heart health, Panasonic will exhibit at the 2010 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions show to be held in Chicago from November 14 – November 17, 2010 at booth number 1831, to unveil the company’s flagship diagnostic technologies.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced the finalized for the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup (IWC). These include applications that make use of the new Bluetooth low energy wireless technology feature, with an emphasis on applications for sports & fitness, health care and home automation. The nine best ideas out of all 270 international submissions have been selected by an international panel of experts.
In the low energy technology for health care are an ear worn sensor for activity recognition developed by Louis Atallah from Great Britain. It measures balance, body posture or heart rate and seamlessly transmits that information to a medical help desk. Furthermore, Ahang Baghschomali from Germany submitted an ambient assisted sensing system which combines Classic Bluetooth technology with Bluetooth low energy technology and makes life easier for people with hearing problems as it gives instructions through the hearing aid. The Oxygen Flow Controller by Jimmy Vincent from India describes an innovative way to optimize the monitoring of blood oxygen with automatic adjustment of the oxygen supply for the patient.
The Bluetooth Innovation World Cup 2010 is sponsored by Anritsu (Preferred Technology Partner), Nordic Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, Suunto and Texas Instruments.
A new study conducted by Dr. Eric Larose, a cardiologist at the University Institute of Cardiology in Quebec, finds the stress of running a marathon causes heart damage, though temporarily. A runner himself, Dr. Larose determined to study whether damage occurs during a long distance run such as a marathon, and whether that damage weighs on future heart health. Continue reading Study: Marathon Runs Cause Temporary Heart Damage
We’ve previously heard about a radar system that could find lost golf balls – but alas that product isn’t currently being sold. So instead we did some digging, and we realized that even better than finding a lost golf ball was not losing it in the first place. And that also involves using a bit of radar. It seems this technology will help you improve your game. TrackMan is a radar unit that can measure both club delivery and the full trajectory of any golf shot, up to 400-yards. That could mean no more lost balls.
It can be used to track date on club speed, attack angle, club path, vertical and horizontal swing plane, spin loft, ball speed, and even flight time – plus a whole lot more. No calibration is needed and the TrackMan Pro can be used with a computer via a USB 2.0 port, and provide a printable report of your efforts. An indoor version can help you train in the offseason as well. Either way, with TrackMan’s unique proprietary radar tracking system and software for your computer you can get the same type of analysis that is often used by the PGA, the R&A and USGA. Of course you’ll still have to work at it to make better swings, but here is where technology can show you what you are doing wrong, and how you can improve.
And some people think golf is just about hitting a ball into a hole on nicely manicured lawns.
There has been a lot of talk this year about 3D, and what 3D means for sports. But most of the talk has been centered around how those sitting on the couch will experience the game, not in how it is played. So far the emphasis has been in watching sports in 3D on TV, but this weekend The New York Times reported that another facet of 3D is in the works, which could make the way the athletes prepare for the game – big and small. Continue reading Will 3D Change the Way the Game is Played
At Interbike we were able to get a peak at what is going on with “Project California,” and took a ride on some of the new Cervelo bikes, including ones using the upcoming BBright. This new technology is the only bottom bracket standard that uses an oversize axele and oversize frame tubes. The idea here is that it will be an optimal combination for overall system stiffness and weight for the frame, crank, and bottom bracket.
There are a few moments with any technology where you say, “this is going to change everything,” and that ride with Cervelo to Red Rock Canyon was certainly one of those. Continue reading Interbike 2010 Wrap Up: Cycling with Cervelo
For those who take their golf game seriously, and we mean seriously there is no substitute for hitting the driving range to improve your game. Well, there is the aboutGolf aG Studio, a new monitor and club tracking device that might make you want to hit the simulator rather than the range. This new, integrated device is powered by 3Trak, aboutGolf’s proprietary 3D, high-speed photography tracking technology.
It is designed for indoor use, and from the comfort of your own home (or other indoor virtual course) can provide data on ball speed, trajectory angle, distance, spin, club speed, angle of attack and horizontal path. The system is further equipped with 3Trak, so that the aG Studio “sees” like no other launch monitor. Continue reading aboutGolf Monitors Your Swing
If you want to improve your performance in any sport, you go to the expert to help you what you’re doing wrong and how to correct it. For golf this means working on swing optimization, and this week aboutGolf announced that Jean Jacques Rivet has joined their team as a new partner.
Rivet is a renowned sportsman, as well as a professional engineer, who has worked on the advancement of biomechanics and body motion. His company, BiomecaSwing has worked with golfers to attain a new level of game performance by applying a proven scientific approach. Rivet will serve as a consultant to aboutGolf in its ongoing product development, including its performance products such as the aG Balance, aG Flix and future TechCentric suite of products. Continue reading Biomechanist Jean Jacques Rivet Joins aboutGolf
In ancient to medieval times Japan was famous for the craftsmanship that went into making its famous “samurai swords” and this level of skill and craftsmanship is alive and well today, but for those hitting the greens not to do battle but to play a round of golf.
After receiving rave reviews for its Yoshitaka Grind wedges and C-Grind wedges and positive response during a soft launch of the products last year, Japanese golf-club maker Miura Golf will make these part of its Series 1957 special edition product line. The two new wedges models will join four iron models. The Yoshitaka is the result of its namesake, master craftsman Yoshitaka Miura. He trained under this father, and company founder Katsuhiro Miura at the family’s forging facility in Himeji, Japan.
The new mild-steel wedges are crafted through the company’s famous Precision Forging Finish process that ensures the clubs are consistent in terms of impact and feel. The Yoshitaka (also known as the Y-Grind) wedge will be available in lofts of 49, 51 and 53, while a 60-degree model will eventually be offered. The wedges, which only be available for right-handed, will feature W nickel (satin) chrome/black finish and will come with a stiff-flex steel shaft and Velvet Full Cord grip. The “Y” on the wedge’s sole not only represents Yoshitaka’s mark – much the way the sword makers of old would sign a blade – but it also signifies the special and limited production of the wedge. Continue reading Miura Looks to Make Grind Permanent and Iron Things Out