Medical Question to a Doctor regarding Supplements.
Former Member
When competing last week in Hawaii, I read in the Honolulu Star Bulletin newspaper from Saturday May 18, in page A5, an advertisement promoting a product stimulating the release of the Human Growth Hormone by the body.
I read in it: "Practically EVERYONE over the age of 40 has a Growth Hormone deficiency.". I am age 43, and even though I trained more than ever for the past year, I swam slower in Hawaii in 100 free and 200 free than I did last year, which was slower than in 1998, which was slower than in 1996, which was slower than in 1994 when I peaked in yards competitions. Because of this, I kept reading:
by taking the product advertised in the newspaper "In the FIRST MONTH: You should expect: Improved stamina;...".
My question for a Medical Doctor familiar with competitions, regards one specific side effect of such a product, not approved by FDA. I remember reading in the Swimming World magazine in mid-90s, when Chinese Olympic swimmers were being caught on illegal products, that a possible side effect of Human Growth Hormone stimulants given to adults, was an increase of extremities like nose, hands, ears and forehead. A picture of the swimmer Massimiliano Rosolino (Ita.) who in the 2000SydneyOlympics won gold, silver and bronze medals, picture published in 2000 in www.nbcolympics.com, semmed to me to show the increase of the nose. www.nbcolympics.com didn't mean to imply anything like this, this is my interpretation of Rosolino's face. It is publicly documented now, that Rosolino took Human Growth Hormone stimulants before the Olympics.
My question is:
The product advertised in Honolulu Star Bulletin as being a Human Growth Hormone stimulant, does increase the nose?
If so, what safer supplements achieve "...improved stamina..."?
San Francisco Chronicle did mention once before the 2000Olympics, two Olympians who were achieving with legal supplements the outcome of illegal products.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by emmett
Ion:
Consider hiring the coach for one-on-one consultation outside of the scheduled practice time. In addition to this dedicated attention, you might find that you get a bit more of his/her attention during group practices.
Yes, Emmett.
Regarding the need for technique improvement, people keep in mind that this thread considers the same technique over the years, physical decline, and how supplements could possibly stop the physical decline.
However, not considering the same technique, brings us to the need for technical improvement, indeed. From this point of view, it's a fact that perceived qualities and defects to somebody, are different than perceived qualities and defects to somebody else. For example, when pondering Phil's post about swimmers who enter the water with bent arms, stretch the arms and shoulders under water, then pull, I started thinking that Australian swimmers, and Janet Evans (US) do swim with straight arms like I do. It is faster to stretch the arm in the air, than under water. When I started swimming by myself in France in 1984, I was told that I swim like Xavier Savin (Fra) who went to the Olympics in 1980 and 1984, and who would stretch the arms in the air, then slap the water. Also, last week in Hawaii, when I got out of the water after 100 free, Phil told me that I overkick. However, two on-deck coaches in Hawaii praised me for a strong kick. I think it is a wimpiness in US Masters Swimming, the way people neglect kicking in practice.
In a warm up in Hawaii, I saw Paul (I mean Paul Smith) do a 25 yards sprint, foot-touch in 10.4 seconds and taking 9 strokes. The best I got there, was 12.00 seconds, hand-touch and taking 15 strokes. Somebody not as tall as Paul, but of my height, did 10.5 seconds, hand-touch and with 13 strokes. Looks like I can use some Distance per Stroke improvement. An on-deck coach from Atlanta, told me I have a very good kick, but I need to work on hip rotation, as opposed to just a upper chest rotation now, thus get more Distance per Stroke.
I think I have in mind three possible coaches here, I can inquire with.
Originally posted by emmett
Ion:
Consider hiring the coach for one-on-one consultation outside of the scheduled practice time. In addition to this dedicated attention, you might find that you get a bit more of his/her attention during group practices.
Yes, Emmett.
Regarding the need for technique improvement, people keep in mind that this thread considers the same technique over the years, physical decline, and how supplements could possibly stop the physical decline.
However, not considering the same technique, brings us to the need for technical improvement, indeed. From this point of view, it's a fact that perceived qualities and defects to somebody, are different than perceived qualities and defects to somebody else. For example, when pondering Phil's post about swimmers who enter the water with bent arms, stretch the arms and shoulders under water, then pull, I started thinking that Australian swimmers, and Janet Evans (US) do swim with straight arms like I do. It is faster to stretch the arm in the air, than under water. When I started swimming by myself in France in 1984, I was told that I swim like Xavier Savin (Fra) who went to the Olympics in 1980 and 1984, and who would stretch the arms in the air, then slap the water. Also, last week in Hawaii, when I got out of the water after 100 free, Phil told me that I overkick. However, two on-deck coaches in Hawaii praised me for a strong kick. I think it is a wimpiness in US Masters Swimming, the way people neglect kicking in practice.
In a warm up in Hawaii, I saw Paul (I mean Paul Smith) do a 25 yards sprint, foot-touch in 10.4 seconds and taking 9 strokes. The best I got there, was 12.00 seconds, hand-touch and taking 15 strokes. Somebody not as tall as Paul, but of my height, did 10.5 seconds, hand-touch and with 13 strokes. Looks like I can use some Distance per Stroke improvement. An on-deck coach from Atlanta, told me I have a very good kick, but I need to work on hip rotation, as opposed to just a upper chest rotation now, thus get more Distance per Stroke.
I think I have in mind three possible coaches here, I can inquire with.
