The Volunteer - Sean Kelly
By Sean Kelly
Earlier this year, an item appeared in the newsletter asking for volunteers to help with a research project in Scotland organised by John Moores University. Well having time on my hands so to speak, yours truly followed up the request and went on a 2 week trip to the highlands in April when the rest of the country was shut because of f&m. During the course we topped out on 26 Munroes (only 6 were new!), ascended 45000ft and travelled in excess of 200 k. Throughout our urine, weight, food intake, heart-rate, and metabolic -rate was monitored, along with blood samples at the start and end of each walk. It originally looked as if the project would have to re-locate to the French Pyrenees because of the f&m. My bad luck that it didn't. The dept of Physical Sciences at JMU was evaluating the bodily performance and function of 2 different age groups. Measurements were taken in the lab before the trip and afterwards. They had already done these tests on the Liverpool Football team ( incl Michael Owen!) and on Steve Redgrave, the rower. At the end of it all there was a limited debrief and some interesting facts emerged.
In all but one instance everybody's white blood cell count had decreased by 50%, I had increased weight by 1½kg, resting heart-rate was well down(below 60) and blood is very cloudy and bubbly after strenuous exercise. When comparing the two groups, the older group generally had more stamina especially as the week progressed. I am expecting a fuller debrief in the coming weeks. Watch this space!
