NINE PFIZER/IOC OLYMPIC RESEARCH PROJECTS IN PROGRESS DURING OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES IN SALT LAKE CITY 2002 Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research Focuses on Health, Nutrition and Biomechanics Studies

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Pfizer are conducting nine Olympic research projects at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. This year marks the first time that research conducted on athletes in conjunction with the Olympic Games will encompass health and nutrition in addition to natural performance improvement and injury reduction through biomechanics research.

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) February 13, 2002 - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Pfizer are conducting nine Olympic research projects at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. This year marks the first time that research conducted on athletes in conjunction with the Olympic Games will encompass health and nutrition in addition to natural performance improvement and injury reduction through biomechanics research.

The nine research studies focus on:

Health and Nutrition
*Anorexia and low body weight in ski jumping;
*Nutrition issues and inadequate diets during preparation for the 2002 Olympic Games in speed skating, skiing and bobsled;
*Prevalence of menstrual dysfunction in elite athletes preparing for the 2002 Olympic Games;

Biomechanics
*Pacing patterns in speed skating;
*Klapskate hinge position in speed skating;
*Quadruple revolutions in figure skating jumps;
*Double and triple twists in figure skating;
*Success in competitive figure skating performances;
*Flight trajectories and takeoff characteristics of ski jumpers.

The 2002 Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research stresses the importance of studying nutrition, performance and training in elite athletes to uncover valuable health and fitness insights for all members of society. By studying elite athletes at the height of competition, researchers can better learn how the body moves (biomechanics) and gain valuable insights for injury prevention and natural performance improvement.

"When top athletes are striving to break records and outperform each other, researchers can analyze what exactly happens when the best are at their best," said Prince Alexandre de Merode, Chairman, IOC Medical Commission. "This research can benefit not only elite athletes but also those striving to learn a new sport or coach others using new techniques that reduce the risk of injury. We share a commitment with Pfizer to conduct this research in an effort to help all people live healthier and more active lifestyles."

Chosen from 25 submissions from 11 countries throughout the world, the nine studies were selected on the basis of quality, impact on the Federation/sport and potential benefit to competing athletes. All researchers are established experts in their fields and are affiliated with reputable academic, health or sports institutions. Since the research methods do not require any physical contact, they will in no way interrupt the athletes' performances.

"Sharing research and inspiring healthy living are Pfizer's primary goals," said Randall Kaye, M.D., Senior Director of Olympic Affairs for Pfizer. "Our support of the Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research is part of our commitment to further scientific knowledge that underscores the importance of improving human movement, providing preventive care and better managing disease states for people who seek healthy lifestyles."

Biomechanics, a sport sciences application that studies human motion, traces its roots to such disciplines as engineering, anatomy, aerospace science, rehabilitation medicine and orthopedics. Biomechanics researchers seek to enhance their understanding of how people move to help athletes perform more efficiently and suffer fewer injuries.

To date, Olympians in nine Olympic Games (four Winter, five Summer) have been studied in competition. This research program was expanded during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, when Pfizer and the IOC Medical Commission entered a partnership supported by a Pfizer endowment. Pfizer's endowment of the IOC Olympic Research enables more comprehensive and in-depth analysis than was previously possible. Analysis of the Salt Lake Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research studies will be conducted following the Olympic Winter Games and then the Research projects will be presented at the Sixth IOC Olympic World Congress on Sport Sciences to be held in May 2002.

Pfizer and the IOC Medical Commission share a commitment to research excellence that inspires healthy living among all people. The Pfizer/IOC Medical Commission partnership aims to eliminate physical inactivity by enhancing the body, will and mind of athletes and humankind through further scientific study of movement, exercise and sport.

For more information about the Pfizer/IOC Olympic Research on Sport Sciences, visit http://www.pfizer.com/olympics/ioc.research.index.html.

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