Month: February 2009

Steroids linked to musculoskeletal injuries in retired NFL players

The results lend new insights into the risks of musculoskeletal injury associated with AAS use. The injury patterns suggest that joint ligaments and cartilage may not adapt to steroid-induced muscle changes. It may be that ligaments and cartilage, rather than tendons, are the “weakest link in the chain” leading to injury, according to Dr. Horn and colleagues.

Swimwear giant Speedo hits back at ‘unfair advantage’ claims

The American and Australian federations have called for an immediate ban on the practice of wearing multiple suits, and Rance agrees that urgent action is required. “I think wearing multiple suits is patently ridiculous,” he said. “The only reason you would do that is if you felt that by trapping air between the suits it is going to increase your buoyancy.”

Netball’s radical rule changes

Netball’s governing body the IFNA has announced a series of experimental rule changes to be trialled in this year’s World Netball Series due to be held in Manchester in October. The changes, which include shooting for double points outside the goal circle, will put “the fitness, technical ability and tactical awareness” of the best players in the world to the test. The high profile series will see ithe world’s top six netballing nations – England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Samoa and Malawi – play to the new format, with each match consisting of four six-minute quarters.