wired to win

02Feb07

The use of computer generated imagery by the BBC in its Truth about Food programme reminded me of an amazing IMAX film called Wired to Win documentary made about the 2003 Tour de France.

There is no better to way to understand some of the crucial aspects of elite athleticism, both from a neurological and physiological point of view. CGI is used to show how the process of repetitive exercise gradually builds synaptic connections until they are finally and fully established. Then it is as if there is a neurological explosion. In real life this is revealed through a progression of a four-man team descending mountainous hair-pin bends time after time at high speed until they are riding in tight formation, almost tyres touching. This neurological adaptation, because it goes unseen, is perhaps much less well understood than the physical adaptations that take place in sport. Repetitive practice in most activities is boring and easily puts off the less motivated. But Wired to Win makes it plain why the repetition is necessary, and why submission to the boring routine will eventually yield extraordinary results. The film also shows how the body adapts to injury as one of the riders tries to continue after serious fall in the Tour’s infamous pile-up.

It is said that the difference between a virtuoso musician and the less gifted is not so much innate talent, but the ability to sustain a high level of work. Studies have shown that work rate rather than IQ or perfect pitch is what matters. A decade’s work consisting of 10,000 hours of practice is the estimate of what it takes to be a virtuoso performer. Is there any similar study that can quantify the same for athletes? Because we delight in the example of the prodigy like Wayne Rooney, or Boris Becker, perhaps we overlook that what most talent needs is a volume of quality support to sustain that practice over an extended period of time. Sometimes longer than we are prepared to wait.

Sally Edwards the heart rate monitor advocate and leading author on the subject of training with heart rate monitors identifies that neurological adapation also takes place when the body is exercised close to or at its VO2 max, or lactate threshold. This is at or near when the body starts to go into oxygen debt and respire anaerobically. Most amateurs will steer clear of the hard interval training to achieve this. It involves running sprints with rests between, and running up and down hills. But marathon experts reckon this kind of training is priceless, because it makes you faster and stronger, ultimately making the marathon experience relatively less arduous because you complete the race after much less time on your legs.

When you do even a little bit of this kind of workout you feel much more co-ordinated. My typing improves immeasurably. Imagine what it does for a Lance Armstrong? The Wired to Win film features the moment where Armstrong is catapulted from his bike at speed while climbing a mountain. His brake lever catches the fastening clasp of a baseball hat being waved by a fan. Miraculously he recovers, seemingly unscathed, and with extra adrenalin pumping through his veins takes off even faster than before.

Resting heart rate 50

Weight 73 kg

Mood