Word: oxygenation
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Another antiadhesion drug is being developed for the treatment of traumatic shock. Here too the goal is to prevent the body's own healing process from going awry. Traumatic shock can occur when accident victims lose large quantities of blood, causing cells in vital organs to starve for oxygen. The starving tissues trigger a distress signal that summons leukocytes and other members of the body's damage-control team, which begin to destroy distressed cells. Alas, if the signal stays on too long, cells are killed at a phenomenal rate and major organs begin to die even while hospital trauma...
Since muscles can perform only if they have fuel, scientists have deeply probed the role of body chemistry in generating energy. They have developed various conditioning programs to enhance the two basic types of energy production. One is the well-known aerobic system, in which muscles rely on oxygen to release energy from carbohydrates, fat and some protein. Athletes in endurance events -- as well as fitness buffs who run or do aerobics -- draw primarily on this system, which functions for a long time. Breathing supplies oxygen indefinitely, but eventually the stores of carbohydrates...
...other system is anaerobic, in which muscles use reactions that do not depend on oxygen to produce energy from carbohydrates and other chemicals stored in the muscle. Sprinters -- as well as nonathletes dashing from the shower to grab a ringing phone -- rely to a large extent on this system, which provides lots of quick power but can operate for only a short time. The reasons: depletion of the necessary chemicals and buildup of a chemical by- product called lactic acid, which inhibits muscle contraction. Middle- distance athletes depend on a delicate balance of both aerobic and anaerobic systems...
...Swimming Federation's International Center for Aquatic Research in Colorado Springs, more than 10,000 swimmers have been tested on a swimming treadmill called a flume, in which their oxygen intake is measured and evaluated as they exercise. Sessions in the flume showed that Dara Torres, a specialist in the 100-m freestyle, needed to enhance her anaerobic system with more sprint repetitions. Such evaluations are also helping athletes settle on the right amount of training. Swimmers reach a peak after 12 weeks of intensive work and then need a tapering-off period...
Otherwise, I'll look pretty silly at my own Commencement next year. In addition to my sign saying "HIRE ME," I'll be the one with the oxygen mask...