Timothy J. Piper

The Effects of a 36-Hour Mixed Task Ultraendurance Race on Mucosal Immunity Markers and Pulmonary Function

OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to assess the changes in mucosal immunity and pulmonary function among participants in a 36-hour mixed task ultraendurance race. METHODS Thirteen of the 20 race participants volunteered for the investigation (age 34±5 y). The event consisted of a mixture of aerobic, strong man, and military-style exercise. Participants had a pulmonary function test and gave a finger stick capillary blood sample and unstimulated saliva samples both before the event and upon dropout or completion. The blood sample was analyzed for hematocrit, and the saliva sample was analyzed for salivary flow rate, salivary alpha amylase, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), and IgA type 1. RESULTS Significant differences were noted among the finishers and those who dropped out in salivary flow rate (P = .026), salivary IgA (P = .017), and peak expiratory flow (P = .05) measurements. Salivary flow rate and IgA for the race finishers were reduced from pre- to postrace, whereas the nonfinishers showed no change or small increases. No significant differences emerged for other variables. CONCLUSIONS Based on the results of the present investigation, finishing a 36-hour mixed task ultra-endurance event results in a decline in both pulmonary function and mucosal immunity compared with competitors who do not finish.

Strength Training for Pre-adolescent Students

appropriate strength and conditioning program for a 12 year old? This question is becoming more common as pre-adolescent athletes, coaches and private instructors look for better ways to improve performance and reduce the chance of injury in youth sport programs. A well-structured training program can benefit children in many ways. According to current research, the potential risks are greatly outnumbered by the positive results obtained from properly designed and supervised instruction (Faigenbaum, et al., 1996). Pre-adolescents are those students who have not yet reached puberty. The age, gender and individual characteristics define each student individually. For our purposes we primarily address the needs of school-aged students approximately 14 years or younger. References to sport-specific training refer to activities that closely mimic some aspectS of the chosen sport, including, but not limited to drills for speed, agility, strength, and quickness. When young athletes and their parents have interest in an organized conditioning program, they often turn to their respective coaches for guidance. While this may seem the natural choice, not all coaches have the background or knowledge to design an