Originally published February 26 2006
HortResearch hard at work on chemical test for measuring athletic performance
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
New Zealand Company HortResearch is developing a non-invasive method for measuring chemicals related to athletic performance.
While everyone knows doping in sports is a big no-no, the next best way to improve performance might be to concentrate on chemicals coming out of athletes, rather than going in.
By measuring hormone and other chemical levels before, during and after tough workouts, trainers can precisely tailor an athlete's regimen.
For example, creatin kinase levels are high following muscle wear and tear.
"We can have an insight inside someone's body as to what's going on, instead of making assumptions," said David Slyfield, the fitness coach for Emirates Team New Zealand, which will compete for the America's Cup in 2007.
During training, the New Zealand team sails six days a week, lifts weights four days a week in addition to cardiovascular work like running.
During preparation for the 2003 America's Cup, Slyfield tested his team once before workout, four times during and once after.
Typically, workouts begin with the hardest exercises, because athletes tend to be most anabolic, or able to build muscle mass, when they're rested.
"That's something that I would have never have guessed as a trainer without this technology," Slyfield said.
Video click to see video Prick-Free Test Click here to Watch Sontra's glucose-monitoring technology in action.
It could soon help elite athletes fine-tune their training regimen based on various biomarkers.
HortResearch plans to create a startup company devoted to integrating its technology with a device Sontra Medical developed to test glucose levels in diabetics.
HortResearch originally developed the sports technology because scientists wanted to study how stress affected sheep meat.
To find out, they needed a non-invasive method so they could measure stress hormones without actually stressing the sheep in the process.
Some rugby teams and other athletes are using the technology stealthily, hoping to gain a competitive edge without competitors knowing how, Stark said.
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