FaCT Canada Consulting Ltd

Biacorpus RX 4000 Body Composition Analyzer

2011-02-11T16:08:00.000-08:00

Bio-electrical impedance analysis to measure body composition.
Modern medicine has definitely abandoned body weight as the prime metric for nutritional health. First it was replaced by BMI (the body mass index), still a very useful indicator, but body composition now clearly has become the “golden standard”.

Bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a fast, reliable, affordable and non invasive technique to measure body composition. Its accuracy and dependability have been scientifically proven and clinically demonstrated time and time again. It uses the fact that tissue types differ in electric conductivity. Bones and fat, for instance are bad conductors. Skeletal muscles on the other hand, due to their water and electrolyte content, have much lower impedance. BIA makes it possible to precisely determine the distribution of the individual components, e.g. fluids (“water”), muscle mass and fatty substance in the body.

The Biacorpus is a 4 channel fully segmental Bioimpedance Body Composition Anayzer validated in Europe with a 98% correlation with DEXA, the golden standard for body composition measurement.

Software BodyComp V 8.3
A state-of-the-art, multifunctional application suite, simple to operate and easily personalised. It analyses both body composition and hydration levels. It is a versatile, professional tool, producing numerous clear and understandable printouts that can be handed directly to the client.

•It calculates and displays total body water (TBW), extracellular water (ECW), body cell mass (BCM), extracellular mass (ECM), fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and base metabolic rate (BMR) among many other statistics
•It provides data import/export from/to MS-Excel, CSF text files and earlier BodyComp versions
•It has extensive data exchange and data aggregation capabilities, both within private networks (client/server) and over the internet
•It runs on Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista and Windows 7
•It offers serial and USB connectivity with the Biacorpus RX 4000 Measuring Device
•BodyComp V8.3 statistically and accurately approximates the actual FFM hydration level, instead of using a static assumption (usually 73.2%). This way it eliminates the risk of hydration level dependent BIA errors
The Biacorpus RX 4000 Measuring Device
Is a state-of-the-art fully digital, phase sensitive, 4 channel impedance measuring device. Each channel applies a 50 Hz AC to precisely measure resistive and capacitive impedance as well as phase angle (PA).

By means of its 4 capturing interfaces it can simultaneously record the values for the body as a whole, the trunk, the arms and the legs. This helps pinpoint peripheral fluid retention and enables a more precise anatomical assessment.

The is extremely easy Four or eight electrodes are attached to the test person’s hands and feet. The resulting measurements (resistive and capacitive impedance) as well as anthropometric data are manually entered on or automatically transferred to a computer, where they are duly interpreted by the software. The results can be filed for future reference and/or are available for immediate consultation.

Output:
•Body fat percentage
•Fat-free mass
•Body cell mass
•Total body water
•extracellular water percentage
•actual/normal range graph

www.fact-canada.com

Sensorize FreeJump Motion Analysis System

2009-10-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

In the world of competitive sports athletes find that they are their own fiercest opponents. When the goal is to optimize performance, it becomes crucial that athletes accurately measure and analyze their own improvement.

FreeJump is specifically designed for strength assessment & monitoring directly on the field! FreeJump offers the ultimate stand alone solution to analyze different jumping tasks; thanks to its computing powers, information such as jump height, muscular power, and flight times are available immediately after each jumping exercise on the FreeJump graphical display.

FreeJump provides comprehensive database construction tools. With FreeJump, tracking athlete's performance history or comparing the performance of various athletes within the same team is very easy.

FreeJump is accurate and reliable. FreeJump is the first wearable, wireless, and portable product on the market that takes into consideration trunk inclinations during strength assessment, delivering the most reliable information.

FreeJump is small, wearable, and wireless, and is specifically designed for strength assessment & monitoring directly on the field! FreeJump offers the ultimate stand alone solution to analyze different jumping tasks; thanks to its computing powers, information such as jump height, muscular power, and flight times are available immediately after each jumping exercise on the FreeJump graphical display.

FreeJump provides comprehensive database construction tools. With FreeJump, tracking athlete's performance history or comparing the performance of various athletes within the same team is very easy.

FreeJump is accurate and reliable. FreeJump is the first wearable, wireless, and portable product on the market that takes into consideration trunk inclinations during strength assessment, delivering the most reliable information.

www.fact-canada.com

PhysioFlow Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring

2009-10-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

PhysioFlow Enduro is a small and portable, battery-powered, noninvasive cardiac output device that was designed primarily to be used while a subject (or patient) is exercising. Enduro is unique in that it is the only noninvasive device that can reliably and repeatedly provide cardiac output and other hemodynamic parameters during exercise.

PhysioFlow is finding wide application in patient and physician office care settings; everywhere that accurate, noninvasive determination of cardiac output and other hemodynamic parameters are needed.

PhysioFlow Enduro is the first ICG product that has proven useful for serious amateur or professional level sports training. Its improved performance during exercise and enhanced muscle-artifact rejection brings noninvasive, cardiac monitoring to many types of athletic conditioning/training programs.

We have been using the PhysioFlow Enduro to analyze/monitor hemodynamic parameters associated with Sport Training. Setting training programs using personal cardiac output and other hemodynamic data optimizes your individual training plan to a degree never before possible.

fact-canada.com

New Spirotiger Respiratory Endurance Trainer

2009-10-25T09:46:00.000-07:00

The new generation SpiroTiger is now available from Fact Canada

Compact, lightweight respiratory trainer for athletes that comes in two versions: GO for basic training and SMART for the more advanced, with a PC connection and software for sending training data to a computer. This makes it easy to monitor and keep track of your training on the computer.

Spirotiger GO

•display for training supervision
•integrated training software
•memory capacity: 1 training session
•PVC box
•Bonus DVD for application

Spirotiger SMART

•display for training supervision
•integrated training software
•memory capacity: space: 99 training sessions
•textile box
•wireless connection to the PC including training software
•integrated and retrievable training modes
•additional expendable items
•Bonus DVD for application
•sport specific training mode

www.fact-canada.com

Flexibility Training (Stretching)

2008-07-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Introduction

Flexibility training or stretching is a conditioning factor that comes closer to mythology than sport science. What we see going on as stretching is often nothing more than an organized act of controlled contortion. We stretch because someone tells us we have to, everyone is doing it so no one stops to ask why, when and how. Newer studies are starting to question more and more the effects of stretching. The following theory, anatomical and physiological information will give you a beginning critical base for understanding stretching.

Anatomy and Flexibility

Passive body structures - joints
- ligaments

Active body structures - muscles including tendons

Flexibility is dependent on many factors which may we may or may not be able to change.

- Age: We lose flexibility with age
- Gender: Women are generally more flexible than men
- Genetics: Shape of joints and bones, muscle tension, hormone levels, muscle fiber type.
- Time of day
- Temperature
- Fitness level and type of sport or work
- Psyche (stressed or relaxed)

We need to distinguish between normal mobility, hyper mobility and hypo mobility.

Normal Mobility

Hyper Mobility

Hypo Mobility

With regard to the norm, it is important to keep in mind that there are individual differences in body type, etc., so there should always be an assessment of the individual athlete and the demands of his/her sport before designing any kind of stretching program. (For example, a gymnast needs to be hyper flexible for his/her sport but for the runner it has been proven that running economy suffers it the athlete is hyper flexible.)

Muscular Imbalance (MIB) and Muscular Dysharmony (MDH)

To be able to stand upright with a good relaxed posture and to look smooth and coordinated during running or any other activity, we need to have a muscle system that works optimally and economically together.

MIB describes an imbalance in the horizontal plane, that is, an imbalance between opposing muscles. For example, the hamstrings are the muscles that bend the knee and the quadriceps are the muscles that extend the knee. These muscles need to have a similar tension and strength to maintain a balance. Such opposing muscles are termed Agonist and Antagonist. While you bend your knee the hamstrings are the agonist muscles and the quadriceps are the antagonist muscles. Another example would be the abdominal and the back muscles. Muscular Imbalance may be developed by improper training. For example, strength training that is focused on developing the abdominal muscles (6 pack) while ignoring the back muscles. This situation may be aggravated by bad posture (sitting all day in a slouched position will tend to shorten the abdominal muscles and stretch the back muscles) or by repetitive work with overload of first the muscle and later the actual joint. The continuously overstretched muscles of the lower back will lose tension and therefore the ability to protect and move the back properly. At the same time, the trained abdominals will shorten and will often change in metabolic activity (too high tension causes oxygen deficit and change of fiber type). These changes will eventually lead to loss of performance and injuries.

MDH describes an imbalance in the vertical plane (a weakness in a muscle chain). Such an imbalance is developed after an injury requiring a cast, where one muscle in a chain loses its strength. The purpose of rehabilitation is to eliminate injuries due to such MDH and an athlete should never go back into competition until rehabilitation is complete. Returning to competition too early can initiate a cycle of re-injury until the problem becomes chronic.

Both MIB and MDH will show up as:

A Performance Loss
B Tension Change (muscle length)

Performance loss can occur due to an imbalance at the knee as in the above example. A shortened antagonist does not allow the agonist to develop the full strength for motion because it uses much of its strength to overcome the resistance of the antagonist. For example, shortened hamstrings will not allow the quadriceps to develop full power for kicking a ball.

The overuse of a muscle can produce a change in the muscle’s metabolic activity. A too high tension will reduce blood flow which will reduce the amount of oxygen supplied to the muscle. This changes the work time of the muscle (anaerobic activity) which may finally even change the fibers doing the work. For example, the back muscles of a rower has STF fibers but constant overuse will increase the muscle tension and therefore reduce the oxygen supply for these muscles, promoting a switch to the use of FTF fibers. This may completely change this athlete’s performance without anyone realizing why!

These changes in performance (strength) or muscle length may be Functional or Structural.

Functional Change from Stretching

The sarcomere is the basic contractile unit of a muscle.

Structural Change from Stretching

A: Normal physiological muscle length
B: Structural shortening of the muscle (decrease in the number of sarcomeres)
C: Structural lengthening of the muscle (increase in the number of sarcomeres)

Summary

To produce an effective training plan it is necessary to assess each athlete and design a program appropriate for the individual not a whole group. This applies to flexibility as well as to endurance and strength. Before beginning on a stretching program we have to be sure that the muscle we stretch really has one of the above problems. It may be that an antagonist is too weak, requiring strengthening, rather than stretching the agonist.

Before beginning on a stretching program and even before testing muscle length it is important to make an anatomical assessment of body symmetry. (Leg length, joint symmetry, etc.)

Once we decide to stretch we have to plan how often and the appropriate technique for each individual athlete. As with all conditioning factors, we have to re-assess over time whether the athlete is making the desired progress and adjust the program accordingly.

www.fact-canada.com

Lactate: the bad the ugly or the real underachiever? by Juerg Feldmann

2008-03-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

Part I:

Working in this field for over a quarter of a century I had the pleasure to get inside views on all different ideas and attempts to use lactate in sport and other related fields. We were influenced by the basic works of Fletcher and Hopkins (1907) and finally got the real answer with the Nobel prize of Meyerhofer and Hill. They actually never were able to prove but rather proposed the first part of the aerobic/anaerobic model, which is still the dominant model for many types of training ideas and testing theories.

In short, as lactate was a chemical substance easy to test, lot's of theories started to use lactate as the reason for different "limitations" which took place during exercise. Lactate is and was blamed for:
- Fatigue (what ever this may mean)
- Muscle cramps and Side stitches
- Post exercise muscle soreness
- Oxygen deficit and possibly some more ideas.

Every day and in every TV sport session the journalist and often the retired champion from the particular sport will blame "lactic acid" for the performance drop or some type of reaction we can see on a hard working athlete.

The original thinking was clear:
As soon the oxygen supply was dropping or was getting low the body would, as a negative byproduct, start to produce lactic acid, which then would produce the above possibilities. So as less O2 would be available as more lactic acid the body would produce and the goal of so many different training ideas was to be able to either avoid lactic acid production or at least try to "tolerate" more lactic acid. Even the sport nutritional supplement industry would come up with drinks and supplements, which would avoid or reduce the build up of lactic acid.

In the mean time there are some interesting questions in this direction and it started already in the early 1980's, when we did "lactate testing" at the altitude center in St. Moritz. We had coaches like Dietmar Millonig's brother, who started to use lactate more in a way of assessing trends than the classical very popular way of Mader: 2 and 4 mmol/l lactate as aerobic or anaerobic thresholds.

Other ideas surfaced like Conconi test, and I remember still our first attempt with metronomes and drums to pace the athletes around the field. We developed the first Casio pacers to make it easier and as usual we were sure that was the way to go. Already at that time there were some researchers lonely in the desert asking critical questions but got pushed under the table. Some of these questions are still out there but with some answers and some nice small practical demonstrations:

Muscles are able to release lactate, even without exercising. (Connett et al circa 1984). This was clear as the question that lactate was or may be not only be a part of anaerobic conditions in the muscles, but was getting used by other means.

The same group around Connett and later Gayeski as well as the famous Saltin suggested that there is no proof or evidence, that muscles would go anaerobic during intense exercise and not even in all out workouts. In fact there are researchers out there showing that the O2 situation in an all out working muscles may be actually higher than in a lower intensity.

The next question or discussion was the fact that there is or seems to be no lactic acid in the human body at all, but rather lactate in combination with sodium. Why and where was this "misconception" coming in, for lactate to be the bad guy. Well the main reason was that under a gradual increase of workload there was an increase of lactate to be measured in the system, and in cases where the athletes were really at the end of their "ability" the lactate measured in the system was always very high.

Once the athlete started to feel better the lactate levels normally would drop. So no wonder there was an easy conclusion to make about the influence of lactate to any of the limitation in performance. Now if we would have tested in a graduated step test instead of lactate, blood sugar we may have given the bad name perhaps to this blood sugar.

Now these days the ideas have turned, but are still not fully accepted. Well remember it took the Catholic Church till 2003 before they accepted Galileo Galilei's idea that the world is round and not the center of the universe. So we are doing not too badly in this field, but it will still take some years to come to understand what the major shift (the new paradigm) on lactate will do in the world of coaching and testing. As well as the incredible large number of PhD's which were done under the "old" ideas and conclusions drawn and published out of this research. We as coaches and small field researchers have to rethink and reorganize in a better way, how we set training zones and applications to it as well as "justification" and explanations to certain training ideas like "lactate tolerance training" and so on.

I would like to close this inital part with a summary of questions and "statements" to open a discussion:

Summary:

1. There is no lactiac acid but rather the form of lactate sodium in the body.

2. There is no anaerobic situation in healthy all out working muscles even in the hardest part of the workout or step test.

3. There is no conclusive evidence, which may suggest, that the muscles become anaerobic during hard workouts and that there is therefore something called lactate threshold or anaerobic threshold.

4. There is nothing like a sudden increase in lactate existing much rather a very nice smooth exponential increase. Therefore, there is nothing to find as an anaerobic threshold nor a ventilatory threshold. In fact based on some research from Brooks et al (Berkeley, California) and Dubouchaud, lactate may be produced and used in the muscle as one of the key products and even may be the main reason why we can sustain certain higher intensity exercise thanks to it's existence. Lactate may be one of the most important "fuels" in the body and can be shuttled around to be used in areas which are in high demand of energy.

Conclusion:

If this is all a new direction, then we know, that at the moment when we can measure lactate in the blood and see a trend in lactate accumulation, we know that metabolically there is a heavy demand for Glucose and on the production of ATP as an oxygen dependent energy production. A decline (trend) in lactate in the system will give us the indication that for the moment there is a need for energy but the intensity in which we move is on a level where we can produce this energy demand oxygen dependent but need a very efficient fuel source, which in this case is lactate.

This thinking brought us to the believe, that we should distance ourselves from terminology like lactate threshold, anaerobic threshold and the classical terminologies. So Herb and I decided to name our trend situation we produce with FaCT testing as LBP for Lactate Balance Point. Meaning exactly this: Lactate in balance on any given level, meaning we have no clear trend at that moment in increasing of lactate levels nor decreasing, or at least a very small change as it is a physiological process.

So for us, as we developed and still are developing better ideas of assessing performance changes, we decided that there is only a trend idea working, rather than absolute numbers. With this in mind we had to overcome the fact that we would be the two lonely guys in the north foolish enough to believe that we don't want to work with anaerobic and aerobic but with completely different ideas of zones. To be not too far off the existing world we slowly integrated these ideas in our small concept. Now 15 years later we are surprised that more and more people actually start independently from us to form similar ideas, or like in the case of a German PhD candidate take our idea and simply change the name. The fact that his work was accepted was nice for us, as we see that there is some "truth" behind our crazy ideas.

In Switzerland the idea has a kind of a rebirth with different Centers looking at it, thanks to a PhD candidate with a respected name, who sells it as a new concept. We have one big advantage: thanks to my bad English I produce own names like LBP and so on and it is fun to see this LBP showing up in more and more papers all over and nobody really knows where it comes from. We see people using LBP as the place where the body moves from aerobic to anaerobic.

Here simply what LBP is:

It is the area (not really point) and we may have to change actually LBP perhaps to LBZ (Lactate Balance Zone) where the increase for demand of glucose to cover the energy demand in the muscle is so high that the product lactate can't be utilized in the working muscle and will be released or transported (MCT I idea) into the blood stream to be used in other muscles and organs like heart, liver, respiratory muscles and so on.

The nice thing with this situation is that some researchers believe that in the step of releasing or transporting the lactate out of the "overloaded" area the lactate may as well take an H+ with it and therefore help to try to buffer the increasing acidic situation to survive somewhat longer. So these groups believe that lactate may be the product of, but not the cause of muscle contractions.

In the next few days I will show some basic field tests we did over the last 20 years where we believe they show this idea of a positive lactate and take the old ideas apart. Stay tuned as we will go through a full FaCT test with a very simple language to explain why and how we do the steps and we may use the numbers from Gary as an example of what was going on in his test and how we can use the physiology to run FaCT very simply and anywhere. You will see why at the beginning there is no need for a very specific protocol, but the need to think and react during testing. This alone is very bad because who likes to think during a test and who likes to make a decision to change something during a test?

I remember the look on the person in a University during a test we did with a top Canadian athlete, when we decided during the test at the start that he had to go to the washroom. I said OK we just go back to where we stopped and there is no problem. Ha Ha, and even worse was at the moment where we demanded the ability to prolong the step at the same level for a few more minutes to see the trend better. Ha Ha, there was no way to do that because the programmed computer was just not set for that. I am sure when we left the University they were more than happy that we would go back and disappear into the bush. The only problem was that the information and intensity we got for the athlete from the university were just simply impossible to do, but there are rules and regulations. (Smile) Have fun and stay tuned for some more practical ideas and crazy thoughts.

Juerg

www.fact-canada.com

Functional and Structural Training. By Juerg Feldmann

2008-02-17T20:24:00.000-08:00

I had a very nice mail with the clear straight forward question:
"How do I explain functional and structural adaptation in combination with the ECGM (extended central governor model)".

Okay here is a short try:
I will use VO2 max as one of the examples to explain how I see functional and structural training and the limitation. VO2 max (if we are able to measure it) is the maximum volume of oxygen that the body consumes during intense exercise. That means we have to use a whole body exercise to be able to come close to or perhaps reach VO2 max. That is the reason why in sports like cross country skiing we see often higher VO2 max levels than in kayaking. If you test a cross country skier in his sport and in kayaking, he will reach a much higher VO2 in cross country skiing than in kayaking. A beginner in any sport will increase his VO2 relatively quickly in the beginning because with improved technique and balance he can incorporate more muscles for the workout. Therefore, we see at the beginning an increase in VO2 not because there is a change in anything other than the ability to use more muscles, which are already here. Now, because they are a part of the workout they use as well O2 to produce energy.

So to go back to the beginning, to have a high VO2 we need 2 main systems.

1. An outside system, let's name it delivery system, which has to deliver O2 from the outside world to the working muscles. Airways, lungs, movement from the lungs to the blood, O2 transportation in the blood, red blood cells reaching muscle cells which can use this O2.

2. Motors (mitochondria) which can carry out the energy production with oxygen. (If they run into problem with oxygen dependent energy production we can measure that in the blood stream with lactate accumulation, as a trend information of more and more involvement of an oxygen independent energy production in the working muscles).

So based on the 2 points above we need:

a) A good functioning air delivery system to bring the Oxygen into the body and over to the blood (respiratory system) but as well, the CO2 out from the blood into the outside world.

b) A very big and efficient pump to deliver the oxygen loaded blood to the muscles, so they can "suck" it up and use it for energy production.

c) Mitochondria rich muscles, so that they have the ability to use the delivered O2 efficiently.

So the basic question is:
What is the limitation of the VO2 now? Oxygen delivery or oxygen utilization? That's where lot's of people start to discuss and even in the exercise physiology world there is still some discussion here. I like to explain perhaps why.

The ECGM will clearly state that it is always the O2 delivery which will be at the end the limitation of VO2. There are possibly very easy tests you can do, like 1 leg biking. The VO2 will be very low even though you have to stop. That means the limitation was not in this case the delivery, but the utilization in the single leg. So there was not a problem for the heart to deliver enough blood flow to this small portion of working muscles.

Now, if we add a much bigger portion of the muscle mass the heart just simply cannot deliver enough high blood flow to all the "users" and maintain a sufficient blood pressure in the vital organs (brain, heart, respiratory system). The body controlled over some hemodynamic processes controlled by the brain, just simply will not send enough blood to the extremity muscles, so that it will not compromise the blood pressure and oxygen situation in the vital organs.

To control this the brain has some specific ideas; decrease muscle fiber recruitment, produce some vasoconstriction to name two popular ones. There is again a very easy test where it can be shown that it is easy to improve performance if you use a small muscle group in order that the Vital organs will not be a limitation. One leg endurance can be improved by 200-300% but you have a problem to see a change in VO2 max if you test in an overall cycling test.

Now here comes the functional and structural part into the picture.
In a beginner or young athlete, the extremity system (utilization) is not very well trained. Now if delivery is the limitation then we have the problem that oxygen rich blood reaches very well trained muscles. The bigger the capillary network and mitochondria density in these muscles, the more O2 will be extracted from the blood and therefore the O2 difference between arterial blood and venous blood is bigger. Resp., we see less O2 coming out in the expiration air. There is only so much O2 being delivered (limited by O2 inspiration and moving onto the red blood cells and by the amount of red blood cells).

If in a highly trained endurance athlete the capillary density and the mitochondria density is extremely well developed. That will create a problem of not enough O2 for everybody. Now with the ECGM the brain will kick in to protect the vital organs with adequate O2 saturation and will not deliver O2 in the extremity. This very clear system shows why in top athletes respiration and red blood cells are limiting factors together with the heart. If the heart is the limitation, that's just it. If the respiratory system is a limitation it can be trained because we very often don't do that. If the blood transportation (red blood cells) is a limitation we can inject EPO. This is the easiest way of quickly improving delivery limitation and that's the reason why so many athletes "cheat" with this possibility.

In athletes where the heart is the limitation the O2 delivery will just stop to protect the heart. If it does not do that, then we have a sudden death in sport. (Failure of the ECGM to protect the heart.) So no EPO will help here. If the respiratory system is a limitation, then again EPO will not help. If the transportation of O2 in the blood is a limitation EPO will help.

Now in a beginner all the above will not be pushed to any limitation and the adaptation of extremity muscles is very fast. Therefore, we see in 6-8 weeks a very quick improvement of performance as well as VO2.

A beginner has not very efficient O2 utilization, but can easily improve that.
Training for capillarization
Training for mitochondria density
Training for inter muscular coordination
Training for intra muscular coordination
Training of balance to use less muscle for stabilization and therefore be able to use them for mobilization.

Example: A beginner in skating will use lots of leg muscles, just to keep him upright (stabilization). The same muscles would be needed as well for mobilization (moving forward). Now with this double duty they are not very happy. An improved balance will take the stabilization duty off these mobilization muscles and therefore he moves faster with the same amount of O2 used, but now used for different purposes.

Now I hope you get the picture.
Functional training is doing all of that and will show quick and easy improvement. Structural training may not even have kicked in at that stage. So the key is to design structural training for heart and respiratory system. Improve nutrition for blood system production and blood plasma retention so that at the moment the extremity system is in full swing the delivery system can deliver more and better. This will end up all in the way the heart, the respiratory system and the nutritional situation will play together.

The functional training will move through Hans Selye's Alarm Stage and will help the body in a decent time to use what is already there with some minor adaptation in the extremity systems. Duration is 6-12 weeks in most of these cases. Result after that: stagnation and/or even UPS (under performance syndrome) or negative adaptation.

Problem: If you read 100 threads of exercise physiology papers and you carefully watch the groups which were tested and the duration of the test (6-8 weeks), you can see why so often the hard intense overload groups have a much better result over this time than the less intense groups.

If you take a highly trained group, you will see often very little if any improvement at all in VO2, or any other factor, because there is just no functional adaptation available any more. This is one of the reasons why "peaking" with high intensity workouts towards an important race just does not work. The highly trained athlete has not to "peak" because there is no peak production due to high intensity. The highly trained athlete has to recover to peak. His "fatigue" level is so high that he can't perform. If he can get his fatigue level lower he can perform better. He not will lose performance because it is based on structure, compared with the athlete who has no structure, but everything is built on functional reaction.

Summary:
In the VO2 case delivery, not utilization will be the limitation in well trained people. The key is to find out whether that is the case and where in the delivery is the weakest link; heart, respiratory system, blood situation.

If is is the heart, train so that the respiratory system will challenge the O2 delivery so the heart has to react and keep the extremity muscles on a minimum fire for O2 usage. We use PET (Pulmonary Endurance Training) with specific resistance to do that.

If your respiratory system is the limitation, keep the heart rate down but work your respiratory system as you would go for a 1 hour all out run and don't integrate the extremity muscles. We do that with the SpiroTiger.

If your blood system is the limitation you improve that over a proper nutritional delivery (Maryanne Kelly, NOC California) and a hormonal challenge for EPO with a IHT (intermitent hypoxy) workout with the PET and an integration of O2 sat control.

If the limitation is your extremity muscles, you improve that with specific coordination training and possibly stabilization training. The worst case scenario for dynamic sport is the fitness center equipment. The cheapest and most advanced one is the Swiss ball coordination training. (I remember when we tried 15 years back to make a Swiss ball distributorship in Vancouver, everybody would ask us whether we are nuts. Smile they are right we are nuts, but just 15 years later we would be rich, ha ha.)

Now let's see what goes on with FaCT IRIS and the other nutty stuff we have to offer.

Juerg

www.fact-canada.com

Juerg Feldmann

2008-02-17T18:14:00.000-08:00

In some of my upcoming blogs I will be posting some of Juerg Feldmann's insights first published on the Fact Canada Forum.

Juerg is a brilliant guy who (I am proud to say) is my friend and business partner in Fact Canada. I would never have dreamed that the guy to whom I was introduced at a Triathlon training session some 18 years ago would completely change the direction of my future. It just so happened that Juerg and his family's new home was only a short jog from my house so it was natural, with our common interest in endurance sport, we would spend some time training together. It was during these training sessions that our friendship matured and ideas were discussed that eventually led to the formation of Fact Canada Consulting Ltd.

Juerg is a truly amazing fellow with a wealth of knowledge in human performance and exercise physiology. He has a dual education (Switzerland) in Sport and Physiotherapy as well as years of practical experience working with elite athletes and teams in both a coaching and testing role. He currently runs a very successful and popular Physiotherapy Clinic specializing in active rehabilitation.

Although he doesn't carry the "PhD" letters behind his name or work in a university, in my mind he is a true scientist. He doesn't stop at just questioning accepted theories if they don't make sense in his mind. He will research the publications and do practical testing till he thinks he has some answers, often using himself as well as his friends and athletes as the test subjects. He will spend dozens of hours developing case studies that lead to some insight. He will formulate new ideas and test, test, test. If he comes up with revelations that he later finds don't make sense due to some new information he has discovered, he will be the first to say so and go off in the new direction.

Stay tuned and visit our website and Forum for more information.

www.fact-canada.com

New Low Cost Oximeters from FaCT Canada

2008-02-10T04:07:00.000-08:00

OxiSport Finger Pulse Oximeter: OxiSport is a small, cost-effective, yet versatile digital finger pulse oximeter. The compact, self-contained unit simply slips onto the finger and within seconds displays your data. OxiSport fingertip pulse oximeter accurately measures blood oxygen saturation levels and pulse rates for all finger sizes. Compact, user-friendly, portable design and high quality easy-to-read liquid crystal display (LCD) makes this finger pulse oximeter a perfect choice.

OxiSport II Finger Pulse Oximeter: OxiSport II has a very bright OLED display with 4 direction 6 display modes and 4 level adjustable brightness.

Six display modes include all 4 directions and 2 sizes. Large size and bright display for easy reading in all lighting conditions. Uses 2 AA batteries for 30 hours of operation.

www.fact-canada.com

Polar AW200 Activity Watch

2008-02-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

The newest innovation from Polar: Measures active steps and active time for effective calorie count without a transmitter belt. Perfect companion for walking, hiking or jogging.

At the heart of the watch is an accelerometer and altimeter that detect even the slightest movement. Data from the sensors is analyzed to distinguish the intensity of the movements and calculate the total energy consumption and burn rate.

The Polar AW200 is a wrist watch based on activity technology. Sensing body movement, the AW200 enables the wearer to develop a better understanding of how much beneficial exercise they are getting. This new activity technology developed by Polar measures not only the quantity but also the quality of the exercise. The information is provided to the wearer in a meaningful and easily quantifiable form (active time, intensity of activity, calories and active steps) which helps motivate and inspire them towards improving the quality of their activity.

Manufactured from stainless steel, the AW200 Activity Watch is stylishly designed and completely non-intrusive making it perfect for wearing 24/7. Its features and design make it an ideal choice for those who enjoy spending their time outdoors; an in-built air pressure sensor enables you to predict weather changes or track your altitude (route profile) whilst on the move. And, by using the route profile information, the AW200 knows if you are exercising harder (e.g. by walking up hill) so you can be sure you won’t be cheated when it tells you how many calories you have burned.

www.fact-canada.com

Breathless Legs? Consider Training Your Respiration

2007-11-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

SpiroTiger Respiratory Endurance Trainer from FaCT Canada

Respiratory muscles fatigue during sports activities. This leads to a decrease in performance. Studies by Prof. U. Boutellier, sports physiologist at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) and the University of Zurich, prove this in a most impressive manner. In the past, it was assumed that physical endurance and performance were primarily limited by the heart and the cardiovascular system; in part also by the muscular system. This is why it was believed that the respiratory system did not impair the functional capacity since it was assumed that it had sufficient reserves.

The targeted endurance training of the respiratory muscles, however, does substantially increase physical endurance, resulting in a relevant increase of functional capacity. This is true both for top athletes as well as popular sports.

Priorities in energy distribution (A respiratory metaboreflex that ‘steals’ blood flow from locomotor muscles.)

The functions of vital organs such as the heart, the brain and respiration are maintained by the body as its top priority. Even under maximum stress, these organs are supplied with sufficient oxygen and energy. This happens at the expense of non-vital functions: oxygen-supply to the legs and arms is reduced. The consequence is a substantial decrease in vitality and a quick build-up of hyperacidity due to H+ production. Endurance training of the respiratory muscles will remedy this problem. It reduces oxygen consumption by the breathing muscles. The oxygen supply is now available to the peripheral muscles. Legs and arms will fatigue later under stress and will produce less H+ at the same level of activity.

WHY USE THE SPIROTIGER?

There are other respiratory devices on the market but the SpiroTiger is the only one that exercises your respiratory muscles correctly. All other respiratory training devices (eg. Powerlung) are resistance training devices like a leg press apparatus whereas the SpiroTiger is like a treadmill. With the Powerlung you are able to use it for 20 - 30 breaths, and after that you will have hyperventilated, and will become dizzy if you continue. This could be compared with a high intensity session that a marathon runner might do by running 400m as an all out sprint. If a marathon runner trains like this the effect would be to change his muscle fibre ability and produce a bad marathon runner and not a good 400m runner. If the runner was genetically good for endurance distances then it would decrease the ability of his Slow Twitch Fibres to work and if he was not genetically predisposed (i.e. had higher percentage of Fast Twitch Fibres) then you could alter his muscle make-up considerably. The diaphragm is predominantly STF as the respiratory system can be classed as having an endurance role. So using a system that tends to improve the efficiency of FTF is of no benefit. The Spirotiger is an STF training device whereas the Powerlung is an FTF training device.

SpiroTiger training is the "LSD" training for the diaphragm - long slow endurance training with all the benefits of "overload" on a muscle that you normally can't work during regular training.

The SpiroTiger will train your respiratory system to increase air volume in and out of the lungs, to increase O2 intake with increased air distribution to the whole lung, as well as deep expiration with avoiding air entrapment to get rid of the CO2. Explosive and hard expiration as we see with the Powerlung never empties the lungs properly. Try it out; breathe out as hard as possible against resistance. Then relax the abdominal muscles after this hard contraction and then breathe more air out and you will feel and will be able to measure how much more is going out after the initial hard expiration.

Airflow, air speed, air pressure, air volume, proper diaphragm contraction, avoiding auxiliary activation and more will only be able to be improved and affected under control with SpiroTiger.

Design and Function

The unique endurance training device for respiratory training consists of a hand held unit with a respiratory pouch and a base station. The easy to operate monitoring electronics allow you to train safely and in a targeted manner. In case of regular training, measurable results will be achieved in a matter of a few weeks.

Effects of Spirotiger Training

Substantial increase of endurance and performance
Improved top performance in all phases of competition
Improved metabolic processes
Shortened recovery times during and after meets
Delayed lactate production
Considerable improvement of coordinating capabilities of the respiratory system under stress
Energetically efficient breathing under stress
Elimination or threshold increase of stress asthma
Longer and therefore improved oxygen supply to the skeletal muscles, also under stress
Complement to or partial replacement of interval training
Additional training that is non-stressful to the heart and cardiovascular system
Personal control of performance development

"I did a VO2Max treadmill test earlier this week on my rollerski and I found it interesting that even at my max I did not feel that I was breathing hard. I have definitely improved greatly from the Spirotiger training. In addition my training with the Spirotiger has improved my core strength."
- Chris Klebl (world class paraplegic cross-country skier)

A University of Arizona Study shows clearly that trained cyclists improved their time trial performance by 4.7% (2 minutes faster in a 45 minute Time Trial) after twenty 45 minute respiratory training sessions.

... let the "Power of the SpiroTiger" convince you.

http://www.fact-canada.com/

Zephyr BioHarness Now From FaCT Canada

2007-10-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

FaCT Canada is a distributor of the Zephyr Bioharness. Introductory price of $1995 with free shipping within Canada and USA.

Product Features:

Monitors heart rate, R-R and ECG trace
Monitors breathing rate and depth
Records local skin temperature for trend analysis
Monitors inclination in degrees from horizontal for posture reporting
Activity measured in velocity magnitude units over pre-defined epochs for calorific analysis
Examines acceleration to allow study of loading and perturbation changes
Fabric-based, dry contacts are non-restrictive and comfortable
Allows quantitative analysis between subjects, activity, situation and time
Real time and trend analysis via graphical display
Wireless connectivity to a PC with range up to 100 m making it ideal for coaches to monitor an athlete from a distance

http://www.fact-canada.com/

New Polar RS800 GPS System

2007-08-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Polar announces the launch of the G3 sensor, a compact and lightweight GPS module that talks wirelessly to the RS800 system, enabling speed and distance measurement for a multitude of sports including: cycling, Nordic skiing, in-line skating and kayaking. The addition of the g3 sensor makes the RS800 the most comprehensive planning and analysis tool for athletes who train across multiple disciplines. Compatible with existing RS800's, the g3 sensor will be available as an upgrade purchase or as a complete package with the RS800 system. Incorporating the SIRF-III GPS chipset, the sensor provides excellent coverage, fast time to first fix and optimal power consumption. A single AA battery provides up to 20 hours continual use. Weighing only 80grams (inc. battery) and water resistant to 3 bar, g3 is extremely compact and built to withstand the harshest conditions of even the most extreme adventure sports.

The new G3 units will be available September 6. Order yours today.

RS800G3 GPS $529.99
G3 GPS sensor set $189.99

www.fact-canada.com

2007-07-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

CS600 Polar Power Output Sensor Set W.I.N.D.

Cycling is cooperation between the cyclist and the bike. The Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. (2.4 GHz), compatible with the Polar CS600 cycling computer, contains different measuring features providing information on how the cyclist works with the bike and allowing the cyclist to control the intensity of exercise. The Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. gives all information in one device only. It combines heart rate monitoring and power output measurement.

Together with the Polar CS600, the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. measures the actual, average and maximum power values. With the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. you can analyze the L/R balance (balance between left and right foot) and Pedaling Index (shows how evenly the power is distributed during one crankarm rotation). The Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. also measures cycling speed, distance and cadence. You can easily download the data to the Polar ProTrainer 5 professional training software for further analysis.

All of the drive force of the bike is transmitted entirely through the chain, allowing the Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. to calculate watts accurately. The sensor positioned on the rear pulley works magnetically and measures the speed of the chain. The chain stay sensor (power sensor) calculates the tension of the chain by measuring the vibration as the chain passes over the sensor. The Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. also has a built-in cadence sensor. The information is then transmitted to the Polar CS600 cycling computer, which is mounted to a bike mount on the handlebars.

Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. is easy to install. It is suitable only for road bikes, ridden on tarmac. It is not suitable for mountain bikes or bikes with very complex back forks.

How does Power Output help cycling?
With regard to training it can give much more precision than heart rate and perceived exertion. Power meters also have a number of other uses, including working on bike position and determining efficiency at different cadences.

FAQ

How Does this System Measure Power?
The Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. measures power direct from the chain, unlike other models that use the crank or hub. This precision system combines measures from two key factors:

Chain Tension – using a sensor on the chain stay
Chain Speed – using a sensor on the rear pulley

How Quick Is the Set-Up?
It couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is enter – once, when setting up the unit – a set of key factors: chain length, chain weight and the length between the bottom bracket and rear wheel axles. And then away you go. Or, you may use the default settings to get started (Chain weight 304 g and length 1473 cm and Span length 420 mm). Precision pedal power – every time!

Does Chain Slap Affect the Results?
No. Because the chain is taut as you pedal, the Power measurement is unaffected by chain slap. The only time excessive chain slap occurs is when you’re not pedaling – and no power is generated.

What About Pedaling Index?
Together the Polar CS600 cycling computer and the Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. let you track your pedal stroke efficiency in real time by measuring two indexes, L/R balance and Pedaling Index.

L/R balance
L/R balance is an index of the power output balance between the left and right strokes making up one rotation. The Polar CS600 cycling computer then compares the peak power produced during the left stroke against the peak produced during the right stroke. If you press hard on the right, the L/R balance will be skewed on the right side (i.e. L 37, 63 R). The Polar CS600 display information helps you achieve balance between each push and avoid premature fatigue in either leg, contributing to improved pedaling efficiency with each rotation.

Pedaling Index
Pedaling Index (PI) measures the evenness of power output throughout each pedal rotation by comparing your power output at its minimum and maximum levels. A higher PI score shows that your power was produced more evenly throughout the pedal rotation – so your peak power for a rotation will be lower, even though your average power output remains the same.

How Does this System Measure Pedaling Index?
A pedal stroke generates peak power as the foot pushes down on the pedal. In one rotation there are two power peaks: the first as you push down with the right foot and pull up with the left, and the second when you push down with the left foot and pull up with the right. In between, your power output is decreased. The Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. measures the maximum and minimum power values and calculates your L/R balance and pedaling index, using a cadence sensor on the right pedal to mark the right side.

What Is the New Cycling Efficiency?
Cycling efficiency is your energy expenditure converted into the power that propels the bike forward. Improvement in cycling efficiency indicates improved economy of cycling performance.

Why Choose the Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D.?
No hub, wheel or crank change: The system measures power direct from the chain – no need to change hubs, wheels or cranks unlike other models.

Right price for total system: The Polar Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. option for the Polar CS600 cycling computer is an additional module, separate from the cycling computer itself. An athlete who already has the Polar CS600 with its many cycling computer features adds a whole new series including wattage, cadence, cycling efficiency, L/R balance and pedaling index. The ability to incrementally buy into this power meter is one of its primary advantages. It is also possible to purchase a complete set including the Polar CS600 cycling computer and the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D.

Polar – the lightweight choice: The Polar CS600 cycling computer and the bike sensors weigh just 275 grams when installed.

www.fact-canada.com

Cosmed Fitmate Pro From FaCT Canada

2007-05-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

Fitmate PRO is the smallest laboratory available in the world able to perform fitness assessment and functional evaluation on individuals willing to receive clear and comprehensive feedback concerning their wellness and physical fitness conditions.

Cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF)
The CFR (VO2max) is the most important assessment of the cardio respiratory function. Fitmate allows this assessment through the following tests: Direct measurement of VO2max during an up to maximal exertion incremental exercise protocoll; Extrapolation of VO2max by the measurement of O2 & HR during a sub-maximal incremental exercise; Estimation of VO2max basing on the results achieved during some standard field tests.

Fitness assessment
Fitmate PRO manages also a number of standardized measurements (anthropometrics, cardiovascular muscular fitness & flexibility) really important for the assessment of the overall fitness status

Activity caloric cost
Would you like to know how many calories you burn during an exercise session? Simply Perform a test with Fitmate PRO, the measurement of the oxygen consumed will tell you what is your typical energy expenditure for specific individual exercise or complete training session.

RMR & Daily Caloric Intake
The energy burnt for the resting metabolic processes in humans (RMR) covers the largest portion of the total energy the human body spends in a day. This amount varies widely from person to person and it is quite difficult to measure. Fitmate PRO uses indirect calorimetry to measure RMR with scientific precision and a short questionnaire to estimate the energy expenditure induced by lifestyle, physical activity and exercise.

Once the daily caloric intake is known Fitmate PRO is able to elaborate programs for weight reduction, maintenance or increase, based on the individual subject’s assessment. The programs so elaborated ensure long term and stable results as they incorporate the latest recommendations issued by the most accredited organizations in the field of nutrition.

Fitmate PRO is the ideal instrument for the management of weight control programs, both in the medical and non medical practice. It is the best you can find for diet counseling, for nutritional purpose and in general for the evaluation of any metabolic disorders. Fitmate is a small investment but able to turn shortly into an irremissable source of income. Fitmate is a unique piece of equipment that health and wellness clubs, gyms, professionals and PTs cannot afford to miss.

www.fact-canada.com

Rotor Q-rings from FaCT Canada

2007-05-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

Rotor Q-Rings are conceived and designed incorporating all the bio-mechanical knowledge and experience achieved by ROTOR CRANKS during recent years. The concept behind Q-Rings enables you to push an effective bigger gear while in the power down stroke when your leg muscles are able to apply more power and an effective smaller gear while in the dead-spots; while producing a smooth pedaling motion. Riders report that “it is like dancing up the hill.”

Q-Rings reduce the "dead-spot" negative effects due to its effective variable gear oval concept. The effective gear is lower at the dead-spot zone, so it is easier, faster and more comfortable (smoother) to pass through it. Once the pedal is over the dead-spot and enters the down stroke, the Q-Rings progressively increase the effective tooth size as more muscle strength is available.

As shown in this illustration, a 53T Q-Ring at the dead-spots is equivalent to a 51T, so it is easier to move through the dead-spot. But as the pedal goes down and more strength is available you can see how the gear (effective tooth size) gets bigger: reaching the equivalent chainring tooth size of 56T during the power phase.

What’s different between Q-rings and previous non circular chainrings?

The most often asked question about Q-Rings is “how are these different from the Shimano Bio-Pace and other brands of non-circular chainrings?” The short and simple but not so obvious answers are:

The Q-Rings are elliptical; the Bio-pace and O.SYMETRIC chainrings are asymmetrical. The specific elliptical shape of the Q’s provide a very smooth uniform pedaling stroke; there is no sudden acceleration movement.
The Bio-Pace chainrings are designed so the maximum equivalent tooth size is at the dead-spots. The Q’s have the minimum equivalent tooth size at the dead-spots. This enables you to pass through the dead-spots quicker with less stress to your knees.
The Q-Rings take into consideration the forces from your legs in static conditions and the inertias of the cyclist and the bicycle. This maximizes the efficiency and comfort of conventional cranks.
The ROTOR patented OCP system enables you to customize the position of the Q-Rings to suit your individual riding habits, body geometry, strength and position on the bike.

Fact Canada is the Canadian Distributor for Rotor Innovative Bicycle Components.

www.fact-canada.com

Sportstat Pulse Oximeter from FaCT Canada

2007-05-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

The Nonin SportStat™ is a very small, highly accurate, lightweight, pulse oximeter (oxygen saturation meter) that measures blood oxygen saturation (%SpO2) and pulse rate. SportStat can be used by a variety of sports enthusiasts, including mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, bikers, and others interested in measuring blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate. It can be used outdoors in many conditions, including high altitudes, at high and low temperatures, and even in the dark.

What is %SpO2?
A pulse oximeter tells you what percent of your hemoglobin molecules are carrying oxygen—your blood oxygen saturation or %SpO2. A %SpO2 reading of 97 tells you that 97% of your hemoglobin molecules are carrying oxygen. At higher altitudes, blood oxygen saturation (%SpO2) decreases, since there is less oxygen available in the air. Physical exertion at high altitude can be difficult because of the reduced oxygen level.

How SportStat Works
The SportStat Pulse Oximeter shines red and infrared light through a finger and detects the fluctuating signals caused by blood flow. Pulse rate is determined from the signals received by a light detector. The ratio of the fluctuation of the red and infrared light signals is used to calculate the blood oxygen saturation (%SpO2) of hemoglobin.

Two AAA-size batteries power the SportStat for approximately 1,600 spot checks. When the batteries are low, the numeric displays flash once per second. The SportStat will automatically shut off (to conserve battery life) approximately 10 seconds after a finger is removed.
SportStat's advanced digital circuitry requires no adjustment calibration) or periodic maintenance other than battery replacement.

www.fact-canada.com

Barefoot Science Foot Strengthening System

2007-04-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

After years of research, Barefoot Science has developed revolutionary new technologies that are based on the principles of rehabilitative medicine to not only rehabilitate the structure, but actually prevent problems from occurring in the first place.

The Barefoot Science Foot Strengthening System works right inside the shoes to safely stimulate and retrain the muscle-firing sequences necessary to align, stabilize, and lock the foot's interlocking bones, prior to heel strike.

Benefits of Using Barefoot Science

Stimulates proper firing of the muscles used to align and stabilize the foot, leading to increased strength and flexibility.
Promotes unrestricted range of motion while promoting optimum structural integrity of the foot.
Promotes optimum arch height and stability.
Enhances alignment throughout the body, relieving tension and stress on the knees, hips, and back.
Addresses a host of common foot and gait-related problems.

www.fact-canada.com

SpiroTiger Respiratory Endurance Trainer

2007-04-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Increased performance with respiratory endurance training

Respiratory muscles fatigue during sports activities. This leads to a decrease in performance. Studies by Prof. U. Boutellier, sports physiologist at the Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) and the University of Zurich, prove this in a most impressive manner.

In the past, it was assumed that physical endurance and performance were primarily limited by the heart and the cardiovascular system; in part also by the muscular system. This is why it was believed that the respiratory system did not impair the functional capacity since it was assumed that it had sufficient reserves.

The targeted endurance training of the respiratory muscles, however, does substantially increase physical endurance, resulting in a relevant increase of functional capacity. This is true both for top athletes as well as popular sports.

It is due to this fact that the SpiroTiger® has effectively and sustainably convinced more than 1000 users in less than a year's time.

Priorities in energy distribution

The functions of vital organs such as the heart and the brain are maintained by the body as its top priority. Even under maximum stress, these organs are supplied with sufficient oxygen and energy. This happens at the expense of non-vital functions: Oxygen-supply to the legs and arms is reduced. The consequence is a substantial decrease in vitality and a quick build-up of hyperacidity due to lactate production.

Endurance training of the respiratory muscles will remedy this problem. It reduces oxygen consumption by the muscles. The oxygen supply is now available to the peripheral muscles. Legs and arms will fatigue later under stress and will produce less lactate at the same level of activity.

www.fact-canada.com

Lactate Pro Portable Lactate Analyzer

2007-04-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Blood Lactate measurement is used by sport scientists, coaches and athletes to accurately determine Heart Rate training zones, recovery and much more. Lactate is a metabolic product that can be measured by taking a drop of blood at a finger tip the same way diabetics monitor their blood sugar level. The blood lactate level increases with exercise intensity and shows clearly the transition from aerobic to anaerobic activity. Since the measurement is completely individual it gives a precise method for testing and monitoring training intensity and recovery. Blood Lactate testing is far more precise than the outdated and inaccurate method of using percentages of maximum heart rate to set training zones. Because heart rate is an individual response, heart rate training zones need to be determined by measurement of physiological variables not set by mathematical formulas. Furthermore, the relationship between exercise intensity and heart rate is different for different exercises, eg. heart rates for running will not be the same as heart rates for cycling for any given intensity. Training programs should not be based on general heart rate guidelines rather they should be based on individual responses. This can be achieved through lactate testing. How much guesswork are you willing to involve in your training and how much time have you got to waste? Do you want to make sure that what you do works optimally for you? Do you want to make the most of the time that you have available? Now you can optimize and take the guesswork out of your training by using the Lactate Pro.

The Lactate Pro is the meter of choice (world wide) of elite teams and sport scientists both for monitoring athlete training and for sport research. In North America it is used heavily by the USA and Canadian National teams, sport scientists, coaches and athletes. It has been featured in "Runner's World Magazine", "Triathlete Magazine", NY Times "Play" Sports Magazine and on "The Lance Chronicles".

The Lactate Pro blood lactate analyzer is fully approved by the FDA and is the only blood lactate test system that is classified as a Waived test by CLIA. The Lactate Pro portable lactate analyzer is the only handheld lactate analyzer to be validated for medical use in the USA (extensive clinical trial was carried out at the Harvard Children's Hospital in Boston). The Lactate Pro blood lactate test clinical trial with GSD type I patients has been published in the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease. In addition, a summary of the article was published in the summer issues of both the US and UK Association for Glycogen Storage Disease newsletters. The publication states, "A total of 166 intravenous and 39 capillary samples from 13 subjects were tested concomitantly on three different lactate meters (3 different Lactate Pro meters). The meter readings were compared with the lactate concentration determined by the laboratory gold-standard enzymatic colorimetric assay. Almost no inter-meter variability was found. The lactate meter values had outstanding correlation with the laboratory lactate determination,.... The portable lactate meter is a highly accurate tool for monitoring lactate concentrations, and should prove valuable for monitoring metabolic control in patients....". (Pubmed)

www.fact-canada.com

Nordic Walking with FaCT Canada

2007-04-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

What is Nordic Walking?

Nordic walking also called ski walking, exerstriding, or pole walking, – combines the aerobic and strength building benefits of cross-country skiing with walking. This full-body, cardio-muscular exercise that engages the arms, back, stomach, and legs. This combination promotes circulation, correct breathing, burns more calories than walking alone and develops total body coordination and improved posture; All in a dynamic way that is applicable to a healthy lifestyle.

Nordic walking is one of the safest physical activities. There is an exceptionally easy, low-effort entry into the exercise, and lots of room for growth. This is why a seventy-year-old arthritic grand-mother and Olympic athlete can both participate in Nordic walking together and get something from the exercise. To see it, you wouldn't think that something so simple can be so effective. But it is!

"Even Demi Moore & Suzanne Somers are among the stars reportedly exercising with walking poles."- First For Women Magazine 10/09/06 pg 34.

Are there other benefits that make it so attractive to the average person and athlete alike?Poling is a year round activity designed to be done in urban setting (sidewalks and street surfaces) but can also be done in snow or off road surroundings.

Don't be fooled, just because anyone can do it, it does not mean that it has little exercise value. The activity is the primary dry-land training method for elite competitive skiers - it is a serious exercise.

Our superior quality poles from UrbanPoling were designed by fitness walking pioneer Tom Rutlin and by a panel of CAOT Certification Occupational Therapists. Simply put, UrbanPoling places quality, safety, and performance in front of everything they do. Compare our five star rated products against other cheaper priced poles and see the difference. Occupational Therapists agree that Urban Poles ergonomic design meets the health needs of our customers.

What does Nordic walking have to offer you?

Exercise the entire body, including "trunk" muscles, using no more perceived effort than walking
Burn from 20-46 % more calories than ‘ordinary’ walking
Take damaging stress off of your joints, hips, knees and ankles
Greatly increased cardio workout (10-15 more heartbeats per minute than regular walking)
Helps maintain and correct posture
Can be practiced on almost any terrain (asphalt, gravel, grass, snow, etc.)
Don’t wait! Get Nordic walking today!

www.fact-canada.com

Impedimed Body Composition Analyzers from FaCT Canada

2007-04-19T06:17:00.000-07:00

Single Frequency Bioimpedance for Determining Body Composition

Single frequency bioimpedance analysis (SF-BIA) refers to the determination of body composition by the use of one frequency to measure the impedance of a body. A transformation process is used to convert the "raw impedance data" into a body composition analysis: intracellular (ICF) and extracellular (ECF) fluid, total body water, fat mass, fat free mass, active tissue mass and extracellular mass. The measured impedance of that current is a property of ICF and ECF (called resistance) as well as a property of cellular and ionic components of cell membranes (called reactance). Devices that take both of these measurements into account are referred to as "phase sensitive", and give a more accurate reading than devices that just measure resistance.

Prediction equations: The transformation of raw impedance data into body composition is achieved through the use of linear regression prediction equations or algorithms. Prediction algorithms are created by collecting the ‘raw impedance data" from a study population of people. This same study population has their body composition determined by alternative known standards such as radioisotope dilution or hydrostatic weighing. Linear regression analysis is then conducted on these data and used to create a prediction equation. This prediction equation generates an equivalent body composition analysis to the reference standard when the impedance data of a subject within the population study is entered into the equation.

Many prediction algorithms for single frequency devices exist and these were generated in populations as diverse as pediatric, the critically ill, the elderly, obese and the general population. For greatest accuracy, the subject being tested should closely match the population from which the algorithm was generated. Age, sex and race all affect the physiology of a person and therefore their impedance measurements are also affected. For this reason, a good single frequency unit will provide a range of algorithms so the device can be applied to a diverse population.

50 kHz, the standard in single frequency bioimpedance: For each individual, there is a frequency that will travel through both the extracellular (ECF) and intracellular (ICF) compartments of the body. The particular frequency of an individual will depend on her or his physiology and studies have shown it can be as low as 35 kHz and as high as 110 kHz, with an average of 50 kHz. Therefore, 50kHz is referred to as the "average characteristic frequency" and is used in all SF-BIA devices.

The ImpediMed DF50: a single frequency bioimpedance device for the determination and monitoring of body composition

The ImpediMedTM DF50 device is a phase sensitive, single frequency body composition analyzer that utilizes a 50 kHz alternating current. The DF50 avoids the "one size fits all" approach that other single frequency devices use for body composition analysis by providing the user with 3 peer reviewed, public domain, prediction algorithms for body composition. These algorithms cover the child, general and obese population groups. Furthermore, the DF50 allows the user to track a subject’s body composition over time using the ImpediMed DF50 body composition analysis software. Access to all raw data and full onboard processing of body composition analysis make the DF50 a portable device, ideal for immediate determination of body composition in a mobile setting such as a clinic, wellness center, gym or for personal use. Unlike other portable single frequency devices such as body composition scales, the DF50 supine measurement procedure follows NIH established guidelines to ensure the most accurate, reliable and reproducible reading.

Introduction to Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS)

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (or BIS) is next generation bioimpedance technology. Bioimpedance spectroscopy employs the measurement of impedance at many frequencies ranging from very low frequencies (4 kHz) to higher frequencies (1000 kHz). Most bioimpedance spectroscopes have used a minimum of 256 different impedance measurements at frequencies within this range. A sophisticated mathematical tool is used to model resistance versus reactance data for each frequency, allowing for a highly accurate determination of total body water, extracellular and intracellular fluid levels within that individual, without the use of prediction equations. Fat and fat-free mass are then calculated.

The ImpediMed SFB7: an accurate BIS device for the determination and monitoring of body composition

The Imp SFB7 BIS device uses a frequency range of 4-1000 kHz with a 256 data point analysis which allows for determination of the Complex Impedance plot with considerably more accuracy than competitive devices using fewer frequencies. In addition to the greater precision provided by testing over this range, the SFB7 is a very low noise device. This significant engineering advance translates into highly accurate and precise estimates of fluid status. The SFB7 BIS device is the benchmark of accuracy and precision providing excellent raw impedance data.

www.fact-canada.com

Review of Two Years "Playing with the SpiroTiger"

2007-04-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

By Juerg Feldmann

It is now just 2 years, since we seriously started to "play" more with the possibilities of "breathing" training as another way of adding to performance.
Well where do we stand now?
I will try to keep it as simple and as practical as possible. Main reason: It is too confusing for me anyway, so I try to put it into words, so I can understand it myself.
Question: Does training of the respiratory system have the potential of improving performance?
My answer is: Yes, (well there are much smarter people out there, who did some more serious research, who confirm this for us nicely). We tried over the last 2 years different ideas on different levels of clients.
From high performance athletes to severe COPD clients and the average JOE Blow from the road.
Main problem: As in any other field of training, the main problem is:
1. Stick to the program long enough
2. Learn to recognize the difference between functional reaction and structural adaptation.
3. Try to recognize adaptation and as soon as you reach adaptation you have to change the stimulus.
4. Have 3-5 different ideas of using the Spirotiger handy to avoid boring situations.
5. Learn to integrate the equipment into other training units like technique, interval, circuit and so on.
Main problem: People, who push too fast too early on improvement actually will see a very fast functional improvement with the result of actually a loss of performance in the actual activity they do.
Reason: You can learn to move more air very fast by exactly doing the wrong idea, meaning by activating the "emergency" muscles (breathing helper).
In forced inspiration, where the "neck muscles" are getting very active and you actually do a so called sterno-clavicluar breathing, the diaphram has to work against an increased mechanical tension of the abdominal muscles.
Try it out: Sit nice and upright and your "belly" disappears (perhaps) a bit or more, depending on the "volume" down there. Now sit upright and breathe hard and fast in and keep one hand on the abdominal area and you will feel how the muscle is getting "harder". No it does not contract, but because you pull both attachments appart, like you pull an elastic apart, your tension goes up (passively), which makes it harder for the diaphram to contract, because the intestine can not as easy push down and out.
Okay, you can use this as an idea of giving the diaphram some additional resistance to strenghten it. Well maybe?
Now this type of breathing is often done with a power lung or other similar devices. You breathe hard and harder in and out (you can change the resistance for in, as well as expiration. You can do a max of anywhere between 20 - 30 deep breaths, before you get somewhat dizzy (hyperventilation) then you need a rest to recover.
There is one question here. The diaphram is one of the rare muscles, which does not relax immediately, when the antagonist kicks in. Some researchers believe, that it takes about 1/2 the time of expiration before it is completely relaxed, and then the abdominal contraction should kick in. Meaning that the initial outflow should be done over the elasticity loaded on the chest (as it is completely done during the night).
So we may have to learn to let go initially, but be patient with the forced expiration for just a bit.
This would lead to a rhythm of 1:2
1 time unit for breathing in and 2 time units for breathing out.
A good way to try this is when you walk, nordic walk or run with the step count. It is very easy on the bike but it is not so bad as well during cross country skiing. It is just different.
In swimming it seems to be nearly natural with a short breath in and a double stroke breathing out to alternatly breath left and right anyway.
Now with this idea we run against the "school" belief, that under work the breathing will be always 1:1. well may be or perhaps we never tried it differently?
It could as well be, that as soon we have to breathe 1:1 the metaboreflex kicks in anyway, because breathing is now the main problem of performance?
Now there is a second problem with the sterno-clavicular breathing and forced expiration. You may get a kind of an air entrapment. Practically you can see, that as soon as people start breathing this way, they have a problem to get the bar graph to the middle (they stay on the left side) meaning they do not breathe in enough. Well they can't, because they do not breathe first enough out. They produce the feeling like people with asthma may have. Inspiration situation, because of lack of expiration. So if you now try to force quickly the air out over abdominal contraction, you get quickly the air out, but again not enough, because your diaphram is not relaxed yet and keeps the volume in the costal-abdominal area open, so air can stay there, even though you thought you push really all the air out.
So the result of all of this is, that you have like in any other sport or motion, you have to learn first the proper technique, before you push performance, but as so often, are we patient enough? Most likely not.
Here a very short summary on how or what we do with breathing and the SpiroTiger.

1. Breathing technique without equipment "endogeneous breathing"
Goal breathe in with the diaphram and learn to use the abdominal to breathe out but as well learn to relax again to avoid the above problem.

2. Start using the user set only for inspiration and expiration with some resistance. The user set only with some small changes can be used the same way as a power lung but you can avoid hyperventilation, as well as the price is the same as a power lung.
Start breathing without the "stress" of the pacing by the steering unit. Problem here is you use the user set together with the handle, but without connection the the steering unit. Problem: you do not know, when you are getting hypoxic and hypercapnic, so you only can use this idea, if you use an O2 sat meter to control the proper O2 sat. If you breathe properly, your O2 sat will stay the same as in rest and or often will actually increase if not already on 99 or 100%. Now if you feel O2 sat high and you are getting somewhat dizzy you hyperventilate and you breathe a bit less intense, or take a bigger bag.
If your O2 sat drops you have to breathe deeper and if the O2 sat does not increase you have to take a smaller bag or use one of our clamps to reduce the size of the bag.
If you like to increase inspiration as well as expiration resistance before you go up with the bag size you can add the filter to it, and if you feel problem with inspiration take the mask to be able to breath in through the nose.
So this version would give you a kind of a beginner set. User set plus O2 sat meter without steering unit and handle.
Later you can ubgrade it to the full unit where you have the "caddilac" of the training device, as soon you see progress and you start to test your respiratory system the same way as you test your legs or your body on a treadmill or on a wattage trainer.
Now with the full set, SpiroTiger plus O2 sat you have a full set of possibilities.
a) Increase the ability of a bigger tidal volume
b) work on the coordination of inspiration/expiration (timing between abdominal contraction and diaphram activity)
c) integrate it into a technical training as a IHT
Bike 5 min on PC or normal bike followed by 5 min biking (much less wattage) in combination with breathing (check O2 sat not below 92%)
d) push 30 sec hard on the wattage trainer or sprint, followed immediatly by breathing (check your O2 sat, stop breathing with the device as soon it drops to 92% but keep checking the O2 sat. Adjust the length of the interval (check with a spiro expert first).
Use the user set as a IHT with sitting only (specific technique)
Use the user set with activity for IHT
Use the full unit before or after races or training for what ever you like to achieve.
Bar graph can be moved for more hypocapnia or more hypercapnia.
Check out the possible link between epinephrine surge and hypoxia/hypercapnia.
There is as well a possible link between controlled hypercapnia/hypoxia and reaction on the cardiovascular system. Studies show a hyperdynamic state defined by tachtcardia, high cardiac output and a reduction in systemic vascular resistance. The Pa CO2 is as well a very potent stimulus for increased respiratory activity.
As before the question is about safety.
We not drop the O2 sat further than 90% in any of our trainings, and the Pa CO2 in the tested cases stayed well below the critical number of 80, well actually we kept it to be on the safe side below 55 as an acute hypercapnic situation.
There are some studies out there suggesting a PaCO2 of 48 - 55 is one of the most optimal levels to adress this above situation in healthy people and as well use the increased CO2 level as a possible antioxidant stimulation?
Well that's it for the moment.
It may be that the education branch of FaCT with Dr. A. Sellars (who runs very great FaCT certification courses in Canada and in the USA may start to add some SpiroTiger courses as well). Check our web site for possible ideas and come back with questions.

www.fact-canada.com

Geoff Kabush

2007-04-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

Geoff Kabush is having a phenomenal start to the MTN bike season. He recently won both the short track and cross country at the first stop of the US NOVA National series followed by wins in both the time trial and cross country at the Sea Otter Classic. Geoff has been a FaCT trained athlete for over 10 years, coached by FaCT's Juerg Feldmann.

www.fact-canada.com

FaCT Canada: History continued

2007-04-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Juerg’s knowledge of endurance training and Herb’s expertise with computer technology led to the unique lactate/heart rate training system known as fact. Six years of practical research in the field proved the effectiveness of the test in determining accurate training intensities for endurance sports. A Lactate Balance Point (LBP) is established using lactate measuring and heart rate monitoring during a standardized test. The results are easily interpreted with custom software which produces a printout of a graphic and analysis of the test. Geoff Kabush and Ryder Hesjdal, Canadian elite cyclists and Olympians are coached by Juerg and train with the fact system. These athletes use a Lactate Pro making it possible to continually monitor and send feedback to their coach.

The fact system has been used for biking, cross-country skiing, running and even with exercise equipment such as elliptical trainers. Juerg has had excellent results using the system to determine safe but effective levels of exercise intensity for rehabilitation of heart patients. FaCT offers testing for individuals, testing workshops for groups and certification courses in the system through FaCT Education (www.fact-education.com).

Over the years FaCT has branched out to offer other leading edge sport performance products, always searching for the latest and most effective technology. The company holds the distribution rights for Spirotiger respiratory endurance trainer from Switzerland for both Canada and the US. As well, FaCT has Canada-wide distribution for Rotor Innovative Cycling products from Spain and the Impedimed Body Composition Analyzers from Australia. It’s also one of the largest Canadian retailers of heart rate monitors, offering both Polar and Timex products. FaCT carries an extensive stock of innovative sports technology products that retails through fact-canada.com and at the local retail outlet and physiotherapy rehabilitation centre in Quesnel, BC.

Both Juerg and Herb continue to be active in endurance sports such as running, cross-country skiing and cycling. And, as FaCT has grown, they’ve continued to encourage and support athletes at all levels from recreational to elite world class to be the best that they can.

www.fact-canada.com

FaCT Canada: A short history

2007-04-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

When Juerg Feldmann, Swiss trained Physiotherapist and university sport teacher arrived in Canada, he already had a long list of athletics and coaching experience behind him. A former member of the Swiss National Speedskating Team, Juerg had not only worked with elite athletes at St Moritz high altitude training centre and coached the largest track and field club in Switzerland, he had also coached the Swiss Nordic Combined Ski Team leading to the Calgary Olympics in 1988. Shortly after immigrating to Canada with his family, Juerg met Herb Chlebek at a triathlon practice for a group of enthusiasts in Quesnel, BC. A Masters Athlete in mountain biking, cross-country skiing, running and triathlon, Herb held Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees from Simon Fraser University, and taught computer studies. He shared his years of experience in endurance sports through coaching and fitness education at the school.

Since they were practically neighbours, it wasn’t long before they started running, biking and strength training together at nearby Ten Mile Lake Park. These regular sessions afforded lots of time to talk and to formulate ideas, including how to improve training methods to enhance performance outcomes. The result was the start up of FaCT Canada Consulting Ltd. with Herb as Business Manager and Juerg as head of Science, Technical Support and Customer Training.

In business now for ten years, FaCT (Feldmann and Chlebek Training) began mainly as a consulting business, providing workshops for endurance sports. When it became obvious that there was a market for endurance sports technology but a void in accessibility of product, FaCT moved into product sales with a Lactate Analyzer, the Accusport.

In 1999, FaCT obtained the North American distribution rights to the most widely used Portable Lactate Analyzer in the world, the Lactate Pro from Japan. Some 15,000 are currently in use worldwide. Still the sole importer and distributor of the meter and test strips, FaCT has put nearly 2000 Lactate Pro meters into circulation in North America to date. The list of organizations that FaCT supplies with Lactate Pro meters and test strips reads like a Who’s Who of national athletics organizations. They include every major National Team in the U.S. and Canada such as USA Swimming, Swimming Canada, USA and Canadian ski and biathlon teams, national rowing, and canoe and kayak teams, as well as Olympic and National training centres, coaches and athletes. FaCT also supplies to scores of universities, hospitals and veterinary clinics. Prestigious universities such as University of California Davis and University of Calgary use the Lactate Pro for research in human performance. Sales continue briskly despite some new competing products now on the market, a certain testament to the quality, reliability and effectiveness of the Lactate Pro.

Check us out at: www.fact-canada.com