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Network eNews: February 2010

Originally published by Australian Fitness Network (archived 2016). Australian Fitness Network is now Fitness Network, a team of qualified personal trainers. More historical material is in the Network magazine & resource archive.

PT News & Research | Group Exercise, Mind Body News | Nutrition News | Club Corner | Announcements | Book Review

PT news & research

Fat oxidation not enough for fat loss say Sydney scientists
Australian scientists have rebuffed the claims of recent years that fat oxidation (burning fats as opposed to carbohydrates) is sufficient for promoting fat loss. The scientists from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research reconfirmed the obvious (but often unpopular with the general population) notion that the only reliable way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more.

Using genetically-altered mice, it was shown that although fats can be burned in preference to carbohydrates, it was the unburned carbohydrates that were actually stored as fat. This resulted in the altered mice having the same weight and body composition as the normal mice.

The research was focused on the enzyme which controls whether cells burn fats or carbohydrates, known as acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC2). Scientists demonstrated that by blocking off the ACC2 enzyme, cells were now required to burn the fats first, rather than carbohydrates.

The researchers said that previous studies had misinterpreted the process as being able to make fat stores ‘evaporate,’ without people changing food intake or energy expenditure; ‘Our data urges a correction in people’s concept of a magic bullet… something that will miraculously make them thin while they sit on the couch watching television’ said study Associate Professor Greg Cooney; ‘while none of the large pharmaceuticals companies have marketed ACC2 inhibitors, there are many kinds of so called ‘fat-burning pills’ available in the health food, body building and alternative medicine markets, where limited clinical effectiveness data are required’.

Source: Cell Metabolism

Boomers’ muscle atrophy may be slowed
US scientists have furthered their knowledge of age-related muscle atrophy, which they hope will lead to a new drug to decelerate age-related muscle loss.

Muscle atrophy has long been associated with the ageing process, resulting in the decrease of muscle mass and thereby causing muscle weakness. ‘Age-related muscle atrophy in skeletal muscle is inevitable. However, we know it can be slowed down or delayed’ said Holly Van Remmem PhD, co-author of the study from the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging studies at the University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio.

The research led to the discovery that free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species, can damage the mitochondria in muscle cells. As a result, there is cell death and muscle atrophy. Gerald Weissman, M.D. Editor-in Chief of the FASEB Journal commented on the effects of free radicals, saying, ‘Stop these from acting and we’ll all look younger, stronger and fit at any age’.

Genetically altered mice were used in the experiment, manipulated to prevent them from having a protective antioxidant, which resulted in very high levels of free radicals. More importantly, the mice lost muscle mass and function at a much faster rate than normal mice. The test is believed to simulate the normal ageing process in humans, but at an accelerated rate.

‘This research is important because it identifies molecules responsible for the ageing of our muscles: free radicals’ said Weissman.

Source: FASEB Journal

Extreme teen fat loss link to osteoporosis
A recent study has shown that excessive weight loss in teenage years may increase the risk of osteoporosis in later years.

The study by a team at the University of Bristol, UK, involved 4,005 girls and boys with a mean age of 15.5 years. The evidence highlighted the importance of fat mass in building bone mass in teenage girls and suggested that that too little fat mass may increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life. The study showed a 70 per cent difference in girls compared to boys

Lead study author, Jonathon Tobias, said ‘The effect of fat mass on bone mass appears to be strongest in girls. Girls clearly have more fat mass than boys and our findings show that whereas the greater lean mass in boys contributes to their greater cortical bone mass, this effect is partly counteracted by the greater fat mass in girls’.

‘Fat mass in girls during puberty may have a long-term impact on bone health as they grow into adulthood. Excessive reduction in fat mass could have adverse effects on the developing skeleton particularly in girls, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis later in life’ Tobias said.

Source: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

No such thing as ‘healthy obese’ says study
A study following 1,800 Swedish men has found that metabolically healthy obesity does not exist.
The men were assessed over a 30-year period, beginning from the age of 50. During this period, a record of those who died or had a cardiovascular problems, such as a heart attack or stroke, was recorded.

Measured factors to determine metabolic syndrome include a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and a broad waist size.

The notion of ‘healthy obese’ was given rise from previous studies which have now been deemed as being too short and inaccurate due to their failure to follow participants for a long enough time period. Because of this, older studies showed no increase in cardiovascular risk in obese men who did not have metabolic syndrome. However, it takes over 15 years until these health problems would become evident.

Using body-mass index (BMI), the study found, over the 30-year period, the risk of cardiovascular disease, compared to normal-weight men who did not have metabolic syndrome, was:

  • 63 per cent higher in men of normal weight who had metabolic syndrome
  • 52 per cent higher in overweight men without metabolic  syndrome
  • 74 per cent higher in overweight men with metabolic syndrome
  • 95 per cent higher in obese men without metabolic syndrome; and
  • 155 per cent higher in obese men with metabolic syndrome.

‘The findings… had a phenomenal follow-up, 30 years and the take home message is that overweight and obese men are at higher risk of cardiovascular risk even if they don’t have metabolic syndrome’ said Barry Franklin, chairman of the American Heart Association Council on Nutrition; ‘Being physically fit, whether you are overweight or obese has a beneficial effect. So, if you are overweight or obese, it is all the more important to emphasise your fitness’.

Source: Circulation

Aerobic activity aids artery elasticity
Older adults with type 2 diabetes can benefit from the effects of physical activity in just three months, according to a recent study.

Discussing how exercise can help improve artery elasticity to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, Dr Kenneth Madden, a geriatric specialist at the University of British Columbia, said ‘aerobic activity makes your arteries less stiff and makes artery walls more elastic’.

Adults between the ages of 65 to 83 with controlled type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol were divided into two groups, receiving either three months of vigorous physical activity on treadmills and indoor cycles (one hour, three times per week), or no aerobic activity at all.

The exercising group was classified as sedentary at the outset of the study, but subjects gradually increased their fitness levels until they were working at 70 per cent of their maximum hear rate.

A significant improvement was seen in the elasticity of the arteries of the active group compared to the non-exercise group; ‘There was an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise. In that time we saw a 15 to 20 per cent reduction’ said Madden.

Source: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada

Office aches reduced by strength training
Strength training exercises can help women suffering from tenderness and tightness in the upper trapezius muscle. A Danish study has identified five dumbbell exercises aimed at reducing repetitive stain injury caused by office work.

The response from a Danish survey showed more than half of female office workers reported frequent neck pain and more than two-thirds of these suffered from tightness of the trapezius muscle.

Forty-two female office workers participated in the 10-week study. All subjects had suffered chronic or frequent pain in the neck area and tightness and tenderness of the upper trapezius muscle. Of these 42 women, a group of 18 did five exercises with dumbbells. They included one-arm row, shoulder abduction, shoulder elevation, reverse fly and upright row. These exercises isolate the shoulder and the neck muscles, including the trapezius. Three sets of three of these exercises were performed three times per week, and weights were progressively increased throughout the 10 weeks.

This group of women experienced significant changes, including improved rapid force capacity and an increased number of type II muscle fibres, the fibres important in the generation of power. Furthermore, the training helped reduce pain levels by more than 50 per cent.

The findings suggest that the strength training was able to reduce the pain and further enhance the body’s ability to rapidly activate the muscle. Activating the muscle depends upon rapid coordination of nerve signals and it was the nerve signaling that seemed to have improved. The researchers also said that the strength training may have encouraged the women to set aside the fear of pain and thus helped improve performance.

Source: Journal of Applied Physiology

Energy-draining muscles solution to obesity
Recent research into muscle behaviour has led to the discovery of a significant ‘fuel gauge’. Scientists from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Iowa discovered that the ‘gauge’ may mean that a little less efficiency on the part of our muscles may be beneficial.

The research also extended to uncover evidence involving the sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels. Treatments designed to interfere with these channels specifically in muscles may allow control of body weight. Specifically, it will allow for an increase in the calories that muscles will burn with regular activity or exercise.

Alexey Alekseev of the Mayo Clinic explained, ‘The channels sense even minor changes in the nucleotide energy and respond by shortening the duration of action potentials and limiting energy-demanding muscle contractibility. If you don’t have the channel you will consume more energy. The system normally has an energy saving role, but with a sedentary lifestyle and excess of food it favours obesity’.

The KATP channels are important in keeping the muscle and heart cells alive and working efficiently, without expending any more energy than required by the cells. Using mice as experiment subjects, scientists demonstrated that deficiency for the KATP channels in the skeletal muscles will result in the storage of less glucose in the form of glycogen, and less storage of fat. The mice which had been given the treatment continued to lose weight despite diets high in fat. On the other hand, because of the reduction in stored muscle energy, the mice also showed reduced physical endurance.

Source: Cell Metabolism

Group Exercise, Mind Body News

Yoga key in battle against daily stressors
Inflammation that usually comes about due to both normal ageing and stress may be able to be reduced by the regular practice of yoga exercises.

A recent study carried out by researchers at Ohio State University showed that women who regularly practiced yoga had lower amounts of the cytokine (signalling molecule) interleukin-6 (IL-6) in their blood.

The same study participants also displayed lower increases in IL-6 levels after they had been subjected to stressful experiences than another group of women of the same age and weight who did not practice yoga.

IL-6 has been associated with stroke, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and other age-related diseases, meaning that a reduction in IL-6 levels – and therefore inflammation – may provide significant short- and long-term health benefits.

Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology and study lead author said, ‘In addition to having lower levels of inflammation before they were stressed, we also saw lower inflammatory responses to stress among the expert yoga practitioners in the study. Hopefully, this means that people can eventually learn to respond less strongly to stressors in their everyday lives by using yoga and other stress-reducing modalities’.

Source: Psychosomatic Medicine

Victoria Beckham heels it into better posture
Is Posh onto just another fad for her image or has she been given one of the best-kept secrets in Hollywood for image improvement and great health? After years wearing towering stilettos she is reportedly ashamed at her ‘hunch back’ appearance and has been referred to the Alexander technique by a friend to transform her body.

Marie Claire magazine cited Beckham’s pursuit of Alexander technique as a way to ‘drain stress and tension from the muscles, ease back pain and improve breathing problems. It also boosts physical endurance and flexibility’1

While well-known amongst performers for the past 100 years, the Alexander Technique for posture and back pain has been more of an industry tool for actors wanting to enhance their character development. For example, Hilary Swank was coached by an Alexander teacher for her portrayal of an English lady in Affair of the Necklace. If Victoria Beckham had chatted with Swank, William Hurt, Kevin Klein or Juliette Binoche years ago they could have told her their secret to image, movement ease and perfect posture – which could have helped her gain more benefit from her reputed two hours per day at the gym.

F M Alexander developed his postural re-education methods at the turn of last century and was hailed by Nobel Prize winners, medical doctors, educationalists and philosophers as a man who had not only discovered something fundamental about the human condition, but had also developed a method of rebalancing the body/mind that no other person had yet contemplated.

The Journal Family Practice published in their November 2009 issue a ‘thematic analysis’ of the data generated by the British Medical Journal trial on the effects of Alexander technique on chronic back pain2 concluding ‘at follow-up, many patients who had learned the Alexander Technique felt they could manage back pain better. Whereas many obstacles to exercising were reported, few barriers to learning the Alexander Technique were described, since it ‘made sense’, could be practiced while carrying out everyday activities or relaxing, and the teachers provided personal advice and support’3.

The Herald Sun reported, ‘Victoria has been working hard on getting a straight back and correcting her terrible posture. ‘You can tell that something is working as the years of Victoria’s shoulders being slumped are over, she is walking straighter now…’ a source told Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper’4.

It could be hype, or it could also be the newest movement towards a holistic view of the body and mind since yoga and Pilates captured the attention of the fitness world in the last decade.

Fitness Network Members are invited to an introduction to the Alexander Technique on the morning of 20 February in the Sydney CBD. Normally priced $49, by entering the coupon code ‘FITME’ at www.bodychance.com.au/events 20 Network members can get FREE registration to this event.

1 http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/434682/victoria-beckham-fights-poor-posture-with-alexander-technique.html
2 BMJ 2008;337:a884; doi:10.1136/bmj.a884
3 Family Practice 2009; 0:1–7 doi:10.1093/fampra/cmp093
4 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/victoria-beckham-turns-to-alexander-technique-to-improve-posture/story-e6frf96o-1225810278216

Source: Bodychance

G’Day to All Group Ex Instructors!

Welcome all readers new and returning to the first E-News for 2010! As this is the first E-news to kick-off an exciting year ahead of us in fitness, I would like to keep to the theme of ‘firsts’ by sharing some tips and reminders for teaching to beginners/novices.

From an instructor’s viewpoint, teaching to beginners, ‘first-timers’ or however you like to term it, is a very rewarding and exciting experience as you are able to see progress and measurable outcomes in the individual’s capabilities. However, sometimes beginners who try out a class (e.g., step) may lack the confidence to persevere at mastering the moves and may be easily discouraged, while others may have distinct ideas about how they want to be instructed (which may not be the manner that they experienced in their first class). So, what are the approaches that we can take to minimise risk of growing discouragement and maximise their learning and workout experience? Here are some simple tips and guidelines to help with your efforts in ensuring a positive, long-lasting experience for first-timers in your class.

  • Be aware of beginners’ needs. Spend a few minutes before the start of a class talking with the participants and asking some background questions to gain a general idea of their previous experience. For example; Have they exercised at other centres prior to joining your class? If so, what kind of activities did he/she participate in? Do they play sport? From asking questions, you can pick up quite a few hints and information about participants’ needs.
  • Know what you want participants to learn in your class and tell them. Even if it’s one simple/small element of the entire class, such as ‘today we are going to learn a new move called a half-turn grapevine’ or ‘the focus of this lesson is on strength and control through large movements’. This way, beginners taking your class for the first time will not be compelled to do or achieve ‘everything’ correctly and successfully in class, which can be overwhelming for them.
  • No two teaching situations are the same, so as instructors we aim to adapt reasonably to the situation, particularly in a mixed-level class. You may need to spend more time on cueing (visual and verbal – keep it clear and simple), adapt the format/structure of the class or arrange your position or room so that beginners or novices have a clear view of what is happening (and are not buried in the back of the class).
  • Concentration can be tiring for a beginner, so aim to balance intensive and less demanding activities in the class.
  • If you are giving options in a move/exercise, be sure to show/demonstrate and reinforce this option. Beginners will want to ‘copy’ everything, so be sure they do it ‘correctly’. Avoid giving participants too many options as this might lead to confusion and cause them to lose focus.
  • Ensure you follow-up with new participants at the end of the class. Ask questions about how they feel during and after the workout. What did they find difficult? What did they find easy or what were they comfortable with? Listen to what they have to say and consider how you might address these challenges of theirs next time they attend your class.

As stated earlier, teaching to beginners is a rewarding experience, seeing them progress from a novice to a regular participant in your classes. In the next edition of eNews, we will take a look at the other end of the spectrum – teaching to experienced members and keeping them motivated.

Until next E-News, stay healthy and happy to ya all Groovy and Inspiring Group Ex Instructors and Managers!

Kinnie Ho

Nutrition News

Eggs’n’bacon baby brain boost
Bacon and eggs can go a long way in the development of memory and recall in foetal brains according to a recent study. Scientists from the University of North Carolina in the US undertook a study using mice to prove that bacon and eggs can boost the intelligence of babies.

The mice, which were fed a low-choline diet while in the womb, developed with genetic differences in their brain cells. This was in comparison to mice fed on a high-choline diet.

‘Our study in mice indicates that the diet of a pregnant mother, especially choline in that diet, can change the epigenetic switches that control brain development in the foetus’ said Dr Steven Zeisel who led the study; ‘Understanding more about how diet modifies our genes could be very important for assuring optimal development’.

The Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Centre has released guidelines for choline intake: for men 550mg per day, women it is 425mg, while pregnant women should be getting 440mg a day. Sources of choline include milk, liver, eggs and bacon, dried soybeans, peanuts and wheat germ.

Source:  FASEB Journal

I see fruit and veggies
Carotenoids, organic pigments found in green leafy vegetables and coloured fruits, may be the key to increasing visual performance and preventing age-related eye diseases, recent research suggests.

A recent study review carried out by researchers at the University of Georgia, suggests that carotenoids play an important role in human vision as well as positively impacting on the retina. Various studies were reviewed by the authors and the conclusion drawn that macular pigments, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, do have an effect on visual performance.

Lutein and zeaxanthin help reduce disability and discomfort from glare, enhance contrast, and reduce photostress recovery times. Furthermore, glare from light absorption is reduced and visual range is increased.

According to lead author Dr Billy Hammond Jr, zeazanthin and lutein are important because ‘it is clear that they could potentially improve vision through biological means. For example, a study conducted in 2008 suggests that the pigments protect the retina and lens and perhaps even help prevent age-related diseases such as macular degeneration and cataract’.

Source: Journal of Food Science

Diabetes may be helped by coffee or tea
A cup of coffee or tea each day may decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the University of Sydney’s metabolic division at The George Institute for International Health found that people who drink three to four cups of coffee daily had about a 25 per cent reduction in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who drank no coffee or up to two cups a day.

Every cup of coffee is associated with a seven per cent reduction in the risk of diabetes. Lead study author, Rachel Huxley, said ‘There is good evidence that consumption of coffee, including decaffeinated coffee and tea, is independently associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes’.

The American Association for Cancer Research meeting has also reported positively on the effects of coffee on health. It found coffee consumption reduced the risk of dying from prostate cancer and also helped prevent liver disease, Alzheimer’s, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

‘This study adds to the body of evidence that our diet and lifestyle are important determinants of subsequent diabetes risk’ said Huxley; ‘Although it is too early to advocate for increased consumption of tea and coffee as a way of preventing diabetes, if these findings are confirmed by clinical trials, then the identification of the protective components in these beverages would open up new therapeutic pathways for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes’.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine

Fish good for heart patients
A study by the University of Athens in Greece has revealed that fish can help preserve heart function in patients who have experienced heart failure.

Incorporating fish as part of a balanced diet has been recommended for a long time, and its benefit to heart health has been frequently reported. However, the new study suggests that ‘moderate’ consumption of fish can help to reduce the risk of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in post acute coronary syndrome patients.

Nearly 1,000 subjects (all of whom were acute coronary syndrome patients) were studied. Researchers found that consuming fish one to two times per week was linked to a significant reduction of the odds of developing left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Consuming higher quantities of fish did not increase the protection from the occurrence of LVSD.

Advocating further studies, lead researcher Dr D Panagiotakos said ‘More research is necessary in this area, including the determination of the type of fish consumed as well as the type of the cooking method’.

Source: Journal of Food Science

Les Mills and Feds close down piracy ring
It was recently reported that counterfeit versions of Les Mills group fitness trademarks and resources were being produced by a North Carolina-based group – an activity which Les Mills and US authorities have taken measures to stamp out.

Les Mills International, together with US Federal authorities, tracked down David Heck, his wife Margie Heck and associate, David Grant. Together, they were found to have illegally copied, sold and distributed counterfeit Les Mills instructor resources internationally since at least 2007.

The three individuals admitted to the illegal activity, which involved others who assisted the scheme overseas. They are located in areas of the US as well as in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
The group were given two letters to cease-and-desist the business; however when their activities did not end, Les Mills started legal action in the United States District Court. Here, orders were won to seize counterfeit goods and records and immediately stop the counterfeiting.

‘We took this action to protect the interests of all our partners around the world – our agents, club licensees, licensed instructors and consumers’ said Les Mills CEO Jill Tattersall.

Monetary damages have been paid to Les Mills by the responsible individuals, who have also been permanently prohibited from shipping, copying, offering for sale, selling, importing, transferring and distributing any items bearing authentic or inauthentic imitations of any Les Mills trademarks.

The outcome is an indication that Les Mills takes the protection of its intellectual property rights very seriously and is prepared to take action to defend those rights; ‘All of our partners and our consumers deserve the peace of mind of knowing that any product or service bearing the Les Mills brand is delivered with the highest standards of support, training and quality control. Counterfeit products undermine the quality of our brand’ Tattersall said.

Source: Les Mills

IHRSA releases 2010 Green/Sustainability Survey results
IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, recently released the results of its first-ever Green/Sustainability Survey. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into the opinions and practices of US health, racquet, and sports club operators around environmental sustainability and its associated business implications. More than 130 participants provided the breadth of data for the survey that has set a benchmark for measuring the industry’s green business practices.

Green business practices include improvements as small as recycling and cleaning with non-toxic products, to larger construction projects using building materials with low Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs), using post-consumer recycled materials, i.e. rubber flooring, and installing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems in the club.

‘Going Green’ is a hot topic in business, and naturally, interest and awareness from the club industry is growing’ said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA EVP of Global Products; ‘Club operators are increasingly paying attention to member concerns regarding environmental issues, exploring green business opportunities, and implementing appropriate programs: both formal and informal. IHRSA’s touchstone survey results provide a framework for the industry to understand its potential and identify cost-effective solutions for environmental and club sustainability’.

The results of the survey indicate that, overall, health club operators have a positive perspective on integrating environmental-friendliness into their daily business practices and see ‘going green’ as a way to have a positive impact on club performance:

  • Over two-thirds (70.7%) of participants indicated senior management having a strongly positive perspective on implementing green practices.
  • Over half (54.7%) of participating clubs indicated that green practices have a moderate priority within their organisation. One-third (33.1%) indicated it had a high priority.
  • Over six out of 10 (65%) surveyed club operators believe implementing green practices at their clubs would differentiate them from the competition.
  • Over one-third (35%) indicated that senior management believes green practices would increase membership growth.
  • Nearly four out of 10 respondents (38.8%) responded that senior management believes green practices would increase membership retention.
  • Nearly half of participating clubs (48.9%) responded that senior management believes that green practices would increase club profits.

‘The world’s increasing need and focus on environmentalism presents health club owners and operators with the opportunity to improve the health of the environment as well as that of their members’ said Bruce Buckbee, managing partner of Leisure Green, LLC, who collaborated with IHRSA on the survey and will be moderating a panel discussion on the full survey results at the IHRSA Convention in San Diego in March; ‘Going green can have a positive impact on a club’s image, establish them as leaders in their communities, and positively impact its recruitment, and retention of members and employees, and improve its bottom line’ said Buckbee.

Source: IHRSA

Vanuatu Team Relay (and Tropical holiday!)

If you are looking to set yourself or a client a fun and rewarding fitness goal for 2010, the Vanuatu Team Relay could be just the thing.

The Challenge

  • 140km relay around the island, divided into 10 sections
  • Jump Start is taking 2 teams – a Run team (who can run their whole section), and a Fun team (who can walk and/or trot their whole section)
  • Sections range from 11.6km to 16km
  • Relay day is Sunday 25 July, 2010

The Vanuatu Team Relay is a unique fitness challenge for teams of 10. Although it is quite competitive for the local teams, the goal of the Jump Start teams is to finish knowing that every member has done their. It is amazing to watch the local teams run past, often bare foot, and not even opening their mouths to breath – true, natural athletes.

Each of the villages the teams pass through has spent days preparing their little piece of paradise and making their part of the road beautiful with palm fronds, flowers and even tunnels of floral ‘irrigation’ for the runners to pass through. The local people, the Ni-Vanuatu, line the roadside or perch themselves in trees calling out, singing, clapping and cheering every team on. They set up stalls with local produce and gifts, and all the smiling kids are dressed in their Sunday best, ready to ‘high 5’ runners as they go past.

Jump Start will be taking 2 teams in 2010. One is a run team (for those who can run their whole section), and another fun team for those who can walk and/or trot their whole section.

But this trip is not just about the Island Relay. The resort that the Jump Start teams stay in is the most beautiful in the archipelago, with fabulous views, a tropical paradise atmosphere, an excellent restaurant, luxurious pool area, and delicious Pina Colada’s served in coconuts!

Every year, the Jump Start teams undertake fund-raising before leaving Australia and arrive in Vanuatu with many thousands of dollars (and so far a cumulative 850kg of excess baggage) worth of numeracy and literacy resources and sporting equipment, which is donated to two small schools in the rural area which otherwise have very little. Jump Start will also again be sponsoring 10 underprivileged girls from a remote island to fly to Vila, and to participate in the Island Relay. Most of these girls would never have the opportunity to leave their island and experience the magic of this event.

For more information and package prices go to http://jumpstartoutdoor.com/getaways_vanuatu.html

Source: Jump Start

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month is the initiative of Ovarian Cancer Australia. Awareness of ovarian cancer and its symptoms is vital for every Australian woman of any age because every day ovarian cancer affects someone’s partner, someone’s sister, someone’s daughter or someone’s mother.

On 1 February, Ovarian Cancer Australia launched Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month 2010 to help save lives by raising awareness about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and provide support for those touched by ovarian cancer.

  • In 2010, more than 1,500 Australian women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer
  • More than 850 will die from the disease – that’s 1 woman every 11 hours
  • 75% of women are diagnosed in the advanced stages and will not live beyond 5 years
  • Ovarian cancer is the 6th most common cause of death in Australian women
  • Ovarian cancer can affect women of all ages – girls as young as 7 have been diagnosed. But the risk of getting ovarian cancer increases with age. The average age for an ovarian cancer diagnosis is 64.
  • There is no detection test – a Pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer
  • The majority of Australian women DON’T know the symptoms of ovarian cancer but almost all women with ovarian cancer suffer symptoms
  • To ensure a good chance of survival it is essential that ovarian cancer is caught in the early stages
  • If found in the early stages, the majority of women will be alive and well after five years
  • Awareness of symptoms is the principle means of early diagnosis to save lives
  • With the help of the media, Ovarian Cancer Australia aims to save lives by educating women about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and what to do if they have symptoms, empowering them to manage their health.

The most common four symptoms which women with ovarian cancer experience frequently and persistently are: pelvic and abdominal pain, increased abdominal size/persistent bloating, increased urinary frequency, and difficulty eating and/or feeling full quickly.

Ovarian Cancer Australia invites you to help save lives – as fitness professionals you are well placed to make clients aware of the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer by directing them to  www.ovariancancer.net.au

Source: Ovarian Cancer Australia

Gear up for Bike Week 2010
The largest ever Bike Week festival kicks into gear on Saturday 13 March for a nine-day, Brisbane-wide celebration of cycling – the fastest growing mode of transport in Australia.

Pedalling the message ‘cycling is smart trave’, Bike Week 2010 will present a range of rides and
(mostly) free activities to demonstrate the numerous fitness, financial and fun benefits of the
pursuit and encourage people of all ages to get in the saddle.

Individuals and groups can saddle up for signature Bike Week events the BDO Brisbane Coot-tha
Challenge, with its famous hill climb, and the more introductory Great Brisbane Bike Ride. With more than 20 events ranging from the corporate challenge of Scody Ride to Work Day, leisurely riverside Goldcross Family Fun Ride, informative Epic Cycles Maintenance Workshops and the lycra love of 10 Speed Dating, there is something for everyone during Bike Week 2010.

Mountain Biking, Road Riding, Criterium, BMX, Bike Orienteering and the European craze
Cyclocross City CX all feature in the program and highlight the broad sporting directions open to
cyclists.

Female riders can find inspiration at the popular Women’s Ride and Seminar and discover tips on training, road safety and bicycle maintenance or bring their babies in tow to the Babes on Bikes ride.
‘We’re excited to offer so many activities for the whole family to enjoy together during Bike Week
2010 and encourage locals and visitors to Brisbane to join in the Goldcross Family Bike Ride,
Babes on Bikes or try something a little different like Bike Orienteering’ said Ben Wilson, manager
of Bicycle Queensland.

Bike Week 2010 runs from 13 to 21 March with full program details available at www.bq.org.au. Online entries are now open for the Great Brisbane Bike Ride and BDO Brisbane Coot-tha
Challenge, which supports the Endeavour Foundation. Bicycle Queensland is non-profit community and advocacy group working to make cycling safer. In addition to Bike Week, the group also presents the Cycle Queensland regional ride and the Wilson HTM Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge.

Source: Bicycle Queensland

Discover the latest trends at the Australian Fitness & Health Expo
The Australian Fitness & Health Expo is the largest event of its kind in Australia, providing visitors with access to the most comprehensive range of fitness and health products available in the fitness and health industry.

In 2010 the Expo brings to the exhibition floor some of the hottest international trends now taking the Australian market by storm. Visitors have an unparalleled opportunity to discover new products, review the latest trends and meet the who’s who of fitness providers and innovators.

Exhibition Manager, Ashley Robertson, said the Fitness & Health Expo is a hive of innovation and inspiration and a place where the fitness industry can thrive and develop; ‘The Australian Fitness & Health Expo provides the industry with a literal smorgasbord of innovative product and the latest trends. We want businesses and individuals alike to be at the cutting edge, so we create a meeting place to engage with suppliers, experiment with new products and get acquainted with the latest industry trends’ he said.

The Australian Fitness & Health Expo, held between 30 April and 2 May 2010 at Sydney’s Darling Harbour, will house almost 300 exhibitors displaying the latest trends and new products in the Australian fitness and health industry. Visitors can find new ways to grow their business and retain customers while consumers can find the solutions to their fitness and health goals.

Source: Pinque PR

Blackberry Storm City Chase hits the streets of Sydney and Melbourne
Hundreds of ambitious everyday city-folk will soon storm the streets of Australian cities, amusing pedestrians, shopkeepers and passers-by with the return of the annual Blackberry Storm City Chase, the world’s largest urban adventure series.

In March and April 2010, Sydney and Melbourne will be transformed into adventure playgrounds as hundreds of two-person teams race to solve cryptic clues to locate ‘ChasePoints’ dotted around the city in this 4 to 6 hour urban event. Contestants must complete a twisted challenge or dare at up to 15 ‘ChasePoints’ before returning to the start-line in the fastest time possible. TheBlackberry Storm City Chase invites everyone to participate; you don’t have to audition or train, be an athlete or a daredevil, you just need to register, show up and be ready to have an adrenalin-filled day. It’s designed for people of all abilities who want to take part in something different and unique. The ‘ChasePoints are designed to challenge, but they are also designed to build excitement and create an experience you’re unlikely to forget. Simply team up with a buddy (give yourself a quirky team name) and register online at www.citychase.com.au

‘It’s the ‘people’ who make the event as enlivening and as it is’ says Ross Wall, event director for Blackberry Storm City Chase 2010; ‘You will always see laughter and high-spirits from everyone involved, interacting and having fun; from the event organisers, to the volunteers, staff at the ‘ChasePoints to the contestants and passers-by in the street. Blackberry Storm City Chase, without doubt, is not an average day out for everyone involved. Even pedestrians find it an eye-opener; the event really brings excitement and laughter into the city, reinforcing the community feel’. The event is also fundraising for a charity, which is yet to be announced.

Where and when:
Sydney, Saturday 27 March – Registration at King St Wharf
Melbourne, Saturday 10 April – Registration at Docklands

Time:
Registration opens – 8am
Race begins – 10am
Course officially closes – 4pm
The event lasts approx 4 to 6 hours and is followed by an after-party at the finishing line.

How to register:
Register online at www.citychase.com.au

Age:
You must be over 18 to compete.
Cost:
$175 per team.

Source: Blackberry Storm City Chase

Book review

Book title: Swimming Anatomy
Author: Ian McLeod
Publisher: Human Kinetics 2010
Reviewed by: Peter Lawler
Details: Paperback, 200 pages, published by Human Kinetics
RRP: $33.95; Network members $30.55 if purchased online at www.fitnessnetworkcentre.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=0736075712

This is the fifth book to be reviewed in the ’Anatomy’ series. Once again the format established in the previous publications is faithfully replicated. The conformity would impress strident fundamentalists of any faith!

Ian McLeod was the nominated author from USA Swimming for this book. Oddly, he is not a swim coach. His forte is massage and ‘therapy’ for America’s elite swimmers. He is an interesting choice.
The functions of this book are:- identify the working muscles for each stroke; suggest how to strengthen key stabilisers and enunciate how to decrease muscular imbalances. As per its predecessors, 74 exercises are depicted, described and validated. The depiction is simple; black outlined hairless drawings of action swimmers but this time the muscles anatomised are colour-coded to differentiate primary and secondary muscles in action and the connective tissue.

The preliminary notes in Chapter 1, ‘The Swimmer in Motion’ are superb. The author outlines the unique kinesiology of each stroke in explicit detail. This extract from the notes on breaststroke will illustrate nicely:
‘To return the hands to the starting position, the arms must be returned from their position under the chest. This motion is carried out by recruitment of the pectoralis- major, anterior deltoid, and the long head of the biceps brachii which all function to flex the shoulder joint. At the same time, extension of the elbow by the triceps brachii results in completion of the recovery phase and the arms return to their extended and elongated position’ (page 5).

At this point the text takes a surprising trail. Chapter 1 continuously emphasises the crux of swimming irrespective of stroke. The crux is: whole body – the kinetic chain, the flow of motion and effort from the arms and shoulders to the distant toes ‘…each body part moving correctly to maximise efficiency of movement through the water. ’(page 1). But the 74 exercises are presented as the familiar zones of the body and not the kinetic chain of the strokes. Thus, the chapters read; arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back and legs, before the concluding chapter ‘Whole Body Training’. The ideal structure would have been to present resistance training exercises and programs for the individual strokes.

Each of the 74 exercises is accorded a double page. Averaging two to three drawings of working muscles via skinless coloured striations and the swim stroke specificity, the text describes the correct execution, identifies the muscles involved and validates the usage of each exercise for swimming via paragraphs entitled ‘Swimming Focus’. Finally, there are five small ‘boxes’ attached like Christmas postage to each exercise. Their purpose is to link the specific exercise to each stroke where applicable or to the start and turns.

Like all books of exercises some of the links between the exercise and the swim stroke are dubious while others are necessities. The weakest chapter is the last. The author’s interpretation of ‘Whole Body Training’ is really exercises to enhance starting and tumble turning power. This grand finale should have been programs of fundamental exercises for the classic strokes that constitute the great sport of swimming.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS AS TO FORMAT.

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