Effects of bicycle frame ergonomics on triathlon 10-km running performance

It is perceived that, during the triathlon or duathlon, cycling with a steep (>76°) rather than a shallow (?76°) frame geometry might attenuate the fatigue associated with progression from the cycle to run disciplines and improve subsequent 10-km running performance. This is based on anecdotal testimony from athletes purporting to have experienced improved performance; no empirical evidence exists. To evaluate this view, eight male triathletes completed a counterbalanced, 40-km cycle ride at two frame geometries (73° and 81°) at ~70% VO 2peak . Immediately after completion of each 40-km cycle, a self-paced 10-km treadmill time trial was undertaken, during which physiological, kinematic and performance variables were measured. The 10-km run performance (mean - s : 42:55 - 4:19 vs 46:15 - 4:52 min; P ? 0.01) and combined cycle and run performance (1:45:49 - 5:45 vs 1:50:33 - 6:08; P ? 0.001) were faster in the 81° than the 73° condition. Improvements in performance were most prominent during the first 5 km of the run (21:41 - 2:15 vs 24:15 - 2:31 min in the 81° and 73° conditions respectively). These improvements were not evident during the second 5 km of the run. No differences in physiological variables were noted, although heart rate, stride length and stride frequency were increased during the 81° condition ( P ? 0.05). Modifying frame geometry from a seat tube angle of 73° to 81° improves 10-km running and combined cycle plus run performance. These improvements in performance might relate to alterations during the cycling phase, which minimizes the 'residual effect' of this (i.e. the adverse changes in substrate availability, thermoregulatory, cardiovascular and biomechanical factors felt immediately after transition from cycling to running) and attenuates negative changes in physiological and kinematic responses during the 10-km run.     

Truth as Process

Although Whitehead himself, in Process and Reality, appears to maintain a correspondence theory of truth, at various points he also appears to hold that truth is a function of the process under consideration. This suggestion is considered and developed beyond Whitehead’s few examples. It is suggested that such a theory could be extended further and that it would be consistent with Whitehead’s natural philosophical tendency.     

Inter-University Cooperation and ERASMUS: The Integration of French LEA Students in British Undergraduate University Courses

With the advent of the ERASMUS programme a new impetus has been given to the exchange of students between countries within the European Community. Having outlined the aims and objectives of ERASMUS, the authors take as a case-study the development of links between the Universities of Birmingham and Grenoble III (Stendhal University), from the initial inter-university agreemart to the creation of an ERASMUS diploma. The problems posed by diffetences in university systems and practices in Britain and France are identified. Academic issues discussed include the relative merits of contrastive and complementay study programmes, the tailoring of course packages to the needs of specific groups of students, linguistic difficulties, assessment and validation procedures. After a brief consideration of practical arrangements, the article concludes with an evaluation of lessons which are to be learnt and of the extent to which such an initiative might be said to fulfil the ideals of the ERASMUS program.     

Access — the Problem and Potential

The article sketches the centrality of 'access' to Government thinking but questions the compatibility of this ideological commitment with the current funding regime. Whilst focussing upon the success of 'access courses' in promoting alternative, high quality routes to higher education it indicates the depth of cultural and institutional change required if access and mass higher education are to become realities. By clearly distinguishing between expansion and opening access, the article makes some pragmatic suggestions as to how the latter can be achieved.     

The British Columbia Open Learning Agency

This article discusses the formation and development of the British Columbia Open Learning Agency and summarizes the principal features of its current activities in providing open learning opportunities in the fields of adult basic education, technical‐vocational training and undergraduate degree programmes.     

Auditing the historic environment: Measurements,datasets and English heritage's state of the historic environment report 2002

This chapter sets out the current context for historic environment management, and the associated information requirements to manage organisations successfully within the sector for the benefit of the country's heritage. The initiative undertaken by English Heritage (the English government's conservation advisors) in developing a pilot State of the Historic Environment Report is used as a case study in the collation of management information for advocacy purposes. Political support for such a development is considered, as well as the history of the report's development with its roots outside the heritage sector. The challenges of project management for report delivery are discussed, particularly where information collation and analysis is reliant on third‐party data sources, often created for separate purposes. Tourism data is focused on, showing how results from the former English Tourism Council's annual surveys of visitor attractions were used to inform key messages in the heritage sector. Comments are made on specific types of data used, and a review given of the methodology for collecting dedicated heritage management organisational data.