Indoor Environment and Sports Performance
I saw a horse race once where the winner was not declared until the race people had a chance to look at the "photo finish."
Boy was it close. There was a bout 3 inches difference between first and second place.
What could that second place horse have done in that mile or so of endeavor? What little bit extra could have won that race? How much extra energy or endurance did that horse need? 5%, 10%??
For three inches in a mile race, the horse needed less than 5% more performance to win.
What about a high school track star? How much extra do they need to go to the Olympics?
Probably about 5% more energy; 5% more mental clarity.
Let's back up in time.
When the high school student [or professional athlete] sat in the dressing room, what were they breathing? When they were at home in their bedroom, what were they touching?
Most people exposed to mold or some pollutants will show somewhere between 5-10% performance loss.
http://www.canarycoalition.org/abby.html
This is due to:
1. Slightly impaired oxygen uptake
2. Scrambled neurotransmitters that confuse muscle tissue
3. Interference with chemical cycles in the production of energy
4. Mental acuity interference
Mold
Molds give off chemicals that mimic natural signal chemicals in the body. These chemicals can cause confusion inside the body. An athlete needs focus not confusion.
http://www.themoldlab.com/mytcotoxins.htm
Mold loves moist buildings. Can you think of anything wetter than a high school dressing room? And many homes have wet basements or attics.
So if you get rid of the mold in the athletes dressing room and home you can gain 5-10% extra performance, right? Well almost.
Store cleansers
We also have to think about regular chemicals in the home that can also interfere with nerve/muscle junctions.
Most high schools try to get rid of mold and bacteria with bleach. Well, bleach won't kill mold. But that's the subject of another article. Bleach will burn the lungs and mess up vision and cause disorientation.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002761.htm
Some of the things you buy at the store contain phenols and formaldehyde. Like bleach these cleaners scar the lungs and decrease the person's ability to breathe efficiently.
http://www.parish-supply.com/chemicals_in_your_closet.htm
Does this contribute to an Olympic destiny? Hardly.
Ozone machines
Some people use ozone machines to disinfect the air in locker rooms. The logic is that ozone is all natural. Well, so is arsenic.
http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Scams/Ozone.shtml
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=44567
Ozone has been traced to lowered lung efficiency. The lungs become less elastic and so the amount of air sucked in is less. Now there is something that will decrease athletic ability. Probably more than the 5-10% we have been talking about.
Conclusion
Okay what will clean the environment and not harm the potential sports hero?
Go to your health food store and look for cleaners with tea tree oil [Melaleuca oil] or grapefruit Seed Extract. They kill mold and bacteria but don't cause changes in the body's ability to function at peak efficiency. Our company motto is, "If You Can't Drink It, Don't Spray It."
Just changing your cleaning products and cleaning up mold can add that 5-10% performance to an athlete. And that, my friend, is the topic of this article.
© 2005 Dr GW Graham
Dr Graham graduated from the University of Tennessee Medical Units at Memphis Tennessee. During a tour in the Army he helped develop many of the concepts dealing with Sick Building Syndrome. He currently is the CEO of Tennessee Mold and chief researcher for Mold Lab Int'l. He has linked moldy homes to ADHD, Lupus, CFS and several other inflammatory diseases. He is currently doing research into mold and Alzheimer's, arthritis and MS.
Related Articles:
Staying Safe at the Gym: Top Sports Orthopaedist on Keeping Shoulder Injuries Out of Your Workout
Most people never think about their shoulders - until, of course, they start to hurt. But the shoulder joint is a wonder, allowing you to push, pull, lift and twist your arms in every direction. Unfortunately, all that mobility has a price, and shoulder injuries are one of the most common problems among athletes of all levels - professionals as well as weekend warriors. The biggest problem for most is overuse injuries, the kind that come from a repetitive motion, in fact common for most regulars in the gym.
Boost Mobile's Sports & Entertainment Camp Bring Oakland Youth New Opportunities
Oakland youth & young adults: Boost Mobile's sports & entertainment camp bring Oakland youth new opportunities, meet celebrities, shoot hoops and start a future. Sign-Up today for "Boosting Leaders for Tomorrow" on December 8th - 10th at East Oakland Youth Development Center.
Sports Car Insurance: Six Ways To Reduce Your Premiums
Sports car owners may indeed be the "kings of the streets." After all, sports cars feature the great options and benefits that appeal to many car buyers. Obtaining auto (http://www.affordable-auto-insurance-quotes.net/) insurance for a sports car may be quite another matter, though.
Sports Handicappers
Sports Handicappers are almost looked upon as bad as lawyers. They are a dime a dozen and a lot of them are out to take your money anyway they can get it.
Sports Psychology Program the Clear Winner on Online-Education.net
After football fans pull themselves away from the annual college Bowl Championship Series, the truly sports-minded might consider a sports psychology education and career. A sports psychology program is the first step in career paths ranging from personal trainer to certified sports psychologist, and the interest -- both online and professional -- in this industry is growing.
KAM Sports International and Brand Thunder Announce European Marketing Partnership
Brand Thunder LLC (http://www.brandthunder.com) announces entry into the European sports market via the creation of a marketing / distribution partnership with KAM Sports International. KAM Sports International will deliver Brand Thunder custom browser themes to their clients and partners in the European community.
Technical Gear Sports Sunglasses Has Found the Solution to Make Hiking More Fun Just in Time for July 4th
Technical Gear Sports Sunglasses has just moved to the mountains of South Carolina, and they have brought their new line of sunglasses that offer solutions for hiking and sports enthusiasts. The new line introduces photochromic lenses that change as quickly as the scenery, automatically dimming and brightening to adjust to the beautiful mountain surroundings.
SPORTS - Best Homebased Business Ideas: Part 2
Building a sports merchandise business on the internet means loads of competition. Still, done right, a sports merchandise business could be very profitable.
Heaven for Sports Fans
www.SportsTeamFanHeaven.com is having a sales extravaganza for NFLshop.com. NFLshop.com is the official online shop of the NFL. NFLshop.com is offering several discounts to fans in affiliation with www.sportsteamfanheaven.com. The first of these is $15 off purchases of $75 or more at NFLshop.com. The purchases can be any item in the online store. In addition, NFLshop.com is offering a free gift with a $100 purchase. The free gift is a 2006 NFL kickoff tee. You can also receive free shipping with purchases of $75 or more and the bonus of 50% off NFL headwear with the purchase of a custom jersey.
Energy Requirements to Maintain Body Weight-Sports
Determining adequate caloric intake to maintain body weight depends primarily on resting metabolic rate and activity level. Furthermore, energy cost also depends on the amount of lean body mass, intensity of exercise, and cardiorespiratory efficiency. Specifically, in two individuals with the same body weight, the individual with the greater proportion of lean body mass would possess a higher resting energy expenditure. Moreover, as intensity of exercise increases, energy cost does also. These factors must be considered before determining an appropriate caloric intake, training program, and macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein, and fat) ratio.
The Concept of Value in Sports Betting!
In sports betting you need to make sure that your bets (and trades) are good value in order to make a profit. If you do not do this you will still win bets but profits may be harder to achieve.
Model Search NYC Discovery Quiana Grant Debuts in Her first Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition
Quiana Grant was discovered and represented by Dwight Agnor at The Model Expo in Washington DC at the age of 13. Now, after starring in several cosmetic and fashion campaigns, Quiana Grant lands the 2008 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
By Kids For Kids Co. Announces Winners of the Maryland 'Get Your Head in the Game' Sports Invention Challenge
By Kids For Kids Co. is pleased to announce the winners of the BKFK-Maryland "Get Your Head in the Game" Sports Inventor Challenge.
Enter the Enticing World of Sports Jerseys
Jerseys are not only official sports gear but also a latest fad with sports fans of all ages. All sports have a specific guideline for sports equipment and jersey is an important component of sports gear.
Confused About What To Get A Die-hard Sports Fan?
Let the confusion begin! Actually, it?s not that bad. Even though there are a million (or close to it) ideas for gifts when it comes to serious sports fans, there is a simple method to the madness. All you have to do is ask yourself the following three questions.