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The primary objective of this study was to investigate current powerlifting training methods in light of anecdotal evidence purporting increased similarity with the explosive training practices of weightlifters. The study also assessed the prevalence of contemporary training practices frequently recommended for powerliflers in the popular literature. A 20-item survey was distributed to 32 elite British powerlifters at an International competition. The subject group included multiple national, international, and commonwealth champions and record holders. Based on 2007 competition results, the average Wilks score of the group was 450.26 [+ or -] 34.7. The response rate for the surveys was 88% (28 of 32). The survey was sectioned into 6 areas of inquiry: a) repetition speed, b) explosive training load, c) resistance materials used, d) adjunct power training methods, e) exercise selection, and f) training organization. The results demonstrate that the majority of powerlifters train with the intention to explosively lift maximal and submaximal loads (79 and 82%, respectively). Results revealed that 39% of the lifters regularly used elastic bands and that 57% incorporated chains in their training. Evidence for convergence of training practices between powerlifters and weightlifters was found when 69% of the subjects reported using the Olympic lifts or their derivatives as part of their powerlifting training. Collectively, the results demonstrate that previous notions of how powerlifters train are outdated. Contemporary powerlifters incorporate a variety of training practices that are focused on developing both explosive and maximal strength. KEY WORDS board pressi box squats, chains, compensatory acceleration, elastic bands, powerlifting

Radioactive iodines released during nuclear weapons testing at the Nevada Test Site between 1951 and 1958 appear to be associated with an increase in thyroid tumors in the areas exposed to fallout. A total of 2,473 people who were among those initially examined between 1965 and 1970 were re-examined from 1985 to 1987. All participants were born between 1945 and 1956 and still lived in the Utah, Nevada and Arizona areas that received the heaviest fallout. Individual doses of radiation were estimated by assessing milk and vegetable intake and possible inhalation. Participants also had a series of physical exams. Residents of Washington County, Utah, received the largest doses of radiation. An increase in both benign and malignant tumors was statistically associated with exposure to the radioactive iodines.

The US Atomic Energy Commission carried out over 100 aboveground tests of nuclear weapons at its Nevada test site, which led to the deposition of radioactive fallout in sections of Utah and Nevada. Studies that have associated the fallout with higher leukemia rates in the affected counties have reported very different effects, ranging between a 1.5-fold increase and a 5.3-fold increase in leukemia. However, these reports estimated the amount of exposure based on the county of residence at the time of death, rather than on where the person lived when exposure was greatest. To improve accuracy, radiation doses received by people who had died with or of leukemia (for chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the patient must have died of the disease) in Utah were calculated based on residence information obtained from the church registry of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an organization that keeps a file of deceased members. Other residence and age criteria were established. Radiation doses were calculated for people who met these criteria (1,177 cases) and age- and sex-matched controls (5,330 people who met the residence criteria, but who died of causes other than leukemia). Dosages were calculated according to the average total dose to bone marrow received during the period of fallout, and regional differences within Utah are reported. While weak associations between the dose to bone marrow and leukemia at all ages and all times after exposure were found, they were not statistically significant. However, a positive association was found for people who died before reaching the age of 20 years and between 1952 to 1957. No association was found for people who had been in utero at the time of maximal exposure. An evaluation of alternative explanations to radiation to account for the results is presented. In summary, and with the consideration of findings from other studies, it is possible that the excess rate of acute leukemia in southwestern Utah is due to fallout. However, the number of such cases is small. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

BACKGROUND: While respiratory muscle fatigue is present following load carriage activity at sea level, the effect of environmental conditions on respiratory strength while undertaking load carriage is unknown. METHODS: The effect of thoracic load carriage during walks (5.5 km) in four environments [(thermo-neutral sea level (SL), -- 10°C (C), 4300m (H) and 4300 m at -- 10°C (HC)] was evaluated on respiratory muscle fatigue. Ten subjects completed eight self-paced randomized treadmill walks comprising a variety of gradients, unloaded and loaded (18.2 kg), across the four environments. Respiratory muscle strength was measured via maximal inspiratory pressure (P|max) and expiratory pressure (PEmax) assessments. RESULTS: Submaximal walking in HC elicited respiratory muscle fatigue w hen compared to SL. Inspiratory muscle fatigue was independent of load. The relative change in P|max frorn baseline was significantly greater in HC compared toSL (9.6% vs. 1.3%). PEmax showed a significant reduction during HC (-22.3 cmH20, -14.4%) when compared to the other three environments. CONCLUSTION: These results highlight the need to focus on respiratory muscle strength in preparation for exercise in cold hypoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]