Theory of athletics

Records in Athletics Through Extreme-Value Theory

We are interested in two questions on extremes relating to world records in athletics. The first question is: What is the ultimate world record in a specific athletic event (such as the 100-m race for men or the high jump for women), given today’s state of the art? Our second question is: How “good” is a current athletic world record? An answer to the second question also enables us to compare ...

CU Athletics

Medical aspects of competitive athletics.

In longer races an increasing proportion of the energy for running comes from the aerobic mechanism of energy liberation. Aerobic mechanisms contribute just over half the total energy required in running a mile but more than three-quarters of the energy required in running three miles. In the presence of adequate supplies of oxygen, pyruvic acid is not converted to lactic acid but itself underg...

Blood Transfusion and Athletics

* * In 1976, the Medical Commission ofthe International Olympic Committee formally condemned the practice of blood transfusion for athletes in good health. As ofthis writing, however, blood doping has not been explicitly forbidden. The Author discusses important and controversial questions such as: does blood transfusion afford world-class athletes a substantial competitive advantage? Is this p...

Spinal deformity and athletics.

Exercise and athletic competition for the young individual has become increasingly more important in society. Scoliosis and Scheurmann kyphosis are spinal deformities prevalent in up to 2% to 3% and 7% of the population respectively, requiring nonoperative and occasionally operative treatment. Curve progression and patient physiologic age dictate treatment regimens. Bracing and physical therapy...