Supertraining

In a message dated 5/17/08 8:03:50 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
          (as quoted from the report of Herr, Weyand, and Kram)

> • Pistorius' ability to maintain speed over the course of longer
> sprints--his speed-duration relationship- sprints--his speed-duration
> that of able-bodied runners, indicating that he fatigues in the same
> manner as able-bodied sprinters.
>
> • Pistorius' rates of metabolic energy expenditure do not differ
> from elite non-amputee runners. In particular, he has nearly the same
> running economy, or rate of oxygen consumption at submaximal speeds,
> and a similar maximal rate of oxygen consumption as elite non-amputee
> runners.
>
> "Based on the data collected at Rice, the blades do not confer an
> enhanced ability to hold speed over a 400m race," Weyand said. "Nor
> does our research support the IAAF's claims of how the blades provide
> some sort of mechanical advantage for sprinting."
>
>

>>indicating that he fatigues in the same
> manner as able-bodied sprinters.<<

***
Is the "manner" or modus of his fatigue the issue, here?   I don't understand
how this is pertinent.   Of course he fatigues as other athletes fatigue.


>> he has nearly the same
> running economy, or rate of oxygen consumption at submaximal speeds,
> and a similar maximal rate of oxygen consumption <<

***
"nearly the same"?    "Similar maximal rate"   How so? Are similarities
within competition differences as reflected in time variances of seconds or 
tenths
of a second?   Similar and nearly the same are what separates first from also
ran.

> >>" Weyand said. "Nor
does our research support the IAAF's claims of how the blades provide
some sort of mechanical advantage for sprinting."<<

***
Really?   The blades are NOT more elastic and therefore do NOT store energy
more efficiently leading to more economic energy expenditure?    How does that
relate to the construction and properties of the blades?   Even more
interesting; how does that reflect on DR Weyand's hypothesis and proofs of 
elastic
rebound facilitation of RFD in high speed running.

Without (admittedly) reading the entire test data and analysis, these
conclusions seem "specious" to me on their face value regarding application to 
the
question and contradictory to previous assertions by the scientists in related
issues of locomotion.   I note in the original post by Jamie Carruthers, the
panel decided that the issue was NOT settled scientifically and seemed to imply
that they were choosing to error if necessary on the side of Mr. Pistorius.
Sounds political to me (duh); with the possible motivation of world opinion
and the foreknowledge that barring the favorites in the races stumbling and
breaking a leg en route to the finish line, Mr. Pistorius really has a vanishing
small chance of winning.   Sorry to say that; but that is my perception.

Very curious,

Paul Boardman
Chicago, USA