Averting loss of quality in performance in traveling

swimmers

K.M.S. Aziz, Ph.D (Duke)

Averting preventable causes

• What is meant by avertion?

– Averting Behaviour refers to actions that people take to reduce damages.

– By formally describing (modeling) the averting behaviour we get useful estimates.

Problems faced by traveling athletes

• Infectious diseases

• Jet lag/ Circadian rhythm

• Altitude changes

• Nutritional problems

• Immunization

• Stress

Causes and Avertion

• Awareness is needed in order to avert the causes.

• Defensive behaviour to avert/prevent causes which result in reduced performance.

Research issues

• Damage Cost should be estimated– Damages

• Loss of performance• Cost of treatment• Opportunity cost of time lost • Loss of potential contracts• Psychological cost

Infectious diseases

• Diarrhea– E. coli ETEC/EIEC/EHEC/EPEC – Shigella/Salmonella– Plesiomonas shigelloides – Campylobacter sp.– Vibrionaceae

• Vibrio cholerae • V. parahaemolyticus • Aeromonas spp.

Parasites/Protozoa

• Giardia lamblia

• Entamoeba histolytica

• Cyclospora cayetanensis

• Trichomonas hominis

• Cryptosporidium

• Malarial parasites

Viral Causes

• Rotavirus

• Adenovirus

Jet lag/ Circadian rhythm

Misalignment between the internal circadian timing system and the external environment.

– Factors• Physiological • Behavioral• Environmental

Fatigue is a powerful predictor of jet lag.

Altitude Changes

• Going to high altitude from Sea level

• High altitude training is not without cost

• Living high training High

• Living high-training low

• Planning optimal time of arrival

Nutritional problems

• Lack of balance

• Nutritional supplements

• Cultural diversity of Food

• Vomiting tendency/Anorexia/Bulimia

Immunizations

• Update routine childhood immunizations

• Hepatitis A and B

• Typhoid

• Meningitis

• Cholera

• Yellow fever

Immunosuppression

• Masters Swimmers

• Immunocompromised Individuals

Stress

• Cuts across from the time of preparations for travel to pre competition tension.

• Anorexia nervosa, bulimia are related.

• Insomnia is common

Conclusion

• Evidence based avertion measures are needed.

• Research is needed for Evidence.

• Public policy geared towards athlete’s health mitigation.

• Ascertain value of a statistical career (VSC).