John M. Dunn

Plasma catecholamine and lactate relationship during graded exercise in men with spinal cord injury.

Catecholamine and lactate responses to incremental exercise were examined in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Three men with high-level (HINJ) and four with low-level (LINJ) SCI performed VO2peak exercise tests on an arm ergometer. Forearm venous blood samples taken at rest and at the end of each work stage were analyzed for norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EPI), and lactate (LA) content. Mann-Whitney tests revealed that peak LA, NE, and EPI responses were greater in LINJ compared with HINJ subjects (LA = 7.1 +/- 0.5 vs 3.2 +/- 0.4 mM; NE = 3.1 +/- 1.0 vs 0.4 +/- 0.1 ng.ml-1; EPI = 0.5 +/- 0.2 vs 0.1 +/- 0.01 ng.ml-1). Spearman rank correlations for LINJ and HINJ groups were NE-EPI, rs = 0.85 vs rs = 0.17; NE-LA, rs = 0.83 vs rs = 0.31; and EPI-LA, rs = 0.73 vs rs = 0.41. The strong relationships between NE, EPI, and LA in the LINJ group were similar to those previously reported in able-bodied athletes. However, the relatively weak association between these factors in the HINJ group indicates that, while some function exits, the sympathoadrenal response to exercise is significantly impaired in these individuals. These results suggest that mechanisms other than catecholamines are primarily responsible for muscle lactate production during incremental exercise in individuals with HINJ.

Communicating With School Boards: Position, Power, and Perseverance

The theme of this years Academy meeting, “Telling Our Story,” raises important questions about how best to hone our message to diverse audiences in order to achieve desired outcomes. This paper addresses strategies and techniques that can be employed with local school boards. The school board is recognized as one of the most influential organizations for developing and shaping policy at the local level. Without the support and advocacy of the local board, efforts to promote physical education and healthful activity for children will not be achieved. The paper also suggests that many advocacy approaches can be generalized lo other groups and settings. including state legislative bodies and other statewide commissions that address issues related to the education of children and youth. Finally, the author acknowledges that despite the best efforts to tell our story, intervening variables beyond the storytellers control (e.g., happenstance. chance, and fate) may influence the message.

The Life and Influence of Hollis Francis Fait on Adapted (Special) Physical Education

An historical view of the life and contributions of Hollis Francis Fait to the field of special physical education is presented in this article. Dr. Fait’s childhood, education, and early career are explored as well as his success in developing at the University of Connecticut one of the first graduate programs to train physical educators to work with the handicapped. Dr. Fait’s perspectives on athletics, administration, minorities, and scholarship are described. His belief in the need for concise language and clarity of thought demonstrated in his own scholarship is discussed.