Recently, I have noticed a very strong ammonia smell when I engage in cardiovascular work. What is the cause, and should I have it checked by my family physician?

Blood ammonia concentrations increase with increasing intensity and duration of exercise. These increases in blood ammonia have been associated with fatigue. High levels of ammonia are toxic to the body. Therefore, excess ammonia is converted by the liver into a less harmful substance known as urea. Urea is excreted in the urine and other body fluids. This urea is synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide. The smell could be coming from an excretion of urea in your sweat. A visit to your physician for his/her professional recommendations is always a good idea.

I was given a free body assessment with my new gym membership and the trainer used a gun that shot a light into my bicep to calculate my bodyfat. What exactly is this?

The method in which to determine bodyfat you are referring to is called Near Infrared Interactance (NIR). This method is based on the absorption of light, reflectance, and near infrared spectroscopy. A fiberoptic probe is placed over the biceps and an infrared light is emitted. The light passes through subcutaneous fat and muscle and reflects off of the humerus back to the probe. Validation of its accuracy through clinical studies is still inconsistent.

My wife purchased a scale that indicates weight and bodyfat percentage. Is this a legitimate method to assess my bodyfat percentage?

The basis to this method is that lean tissue and water conduct electricity better than fat. A small electrical current (50 mA usually set at a frequency of 50 kHz) is applied to an extremity and resistance to that current is measured. These pads are usually located on the surface of the scale where you place your feet. Total body water is calculated and this value is used to estimate percent bodyfat. This method in conjunction with a regular caliper skinfold test can be very reliable.

If I stay out late and have a few drinks, how will that effect my training the next morning?

Alcohol can be classified as a food or nutrient because it provides seven kcal/g, but it can also be classified as an antinutrient because it can interfere with the metabolism of other nutrients. In studies to test alcohol's effects on psychomotor skills, studies suggest that simple reaction time, choice reaction time, movement time, speed, information processing, and sensorimotor coordination are impaired. Its depressant effects on the CNS (central nervous system) dull pain sensation, but pain indicates injury, and physical activity while injured always carries a great risk of increasing the extent of an injury. It also suppresses the release of ADH (antidiuretic hormone), causing your body to excrete more water in the urine which can in turn, transiently decrease your blood pressure and cause dehydration. It also causes peripheral vasodialation (dilation of blood vessels in the skin).

I was experiencing some very severe lower back pains and my doctor diagnosed me with Facet Syndrome. What is this?

Facet syndrome is characterized by back pain, with or without tenderness, which can radiate from the back down to the buttocks and into the thighs. The pain is caused by inflammation of the synovial lining of the facet joints-the joints that connect the posterior elements of one vertebral level to the next and which allow the spinal column to bend forward and backward. Facet syndrome can occur in people who have scoliosis, and in those who do not. It occurs in those individuals who have some abnormal stress on the facet joints caused by disc degeneration, osteoarthritis, or an abnormal curvature. Facet syndrome is also seen in individuals who have had a fusion of the spine; in these cases, the fusion causes extra stress on the joints above and below it leading to inflammation and pain.

I have a client who had her thyroid gland removed. What should I know before training her?

The thyroid gland is a two-lobed endocrine gland found in all vertebrates, and is located in front of and on either side of the trachea. It produces the hormone thyroxin. Thyroxin is an iodine-containing hormone produced by the thyroid gland, which regulates metabolism. She will have to take a synthetically produced thyroxin, which is prescribed by doctors to regulate her metabolism. Along with proper medication, and her doctor's recommendation, the program design should be similar to that of a sedentary client.

I have a friend who is taking Anadrol-50. What is Anadrol-50 and should I consider using it?

Anadrol-50 (oxymetholone) is an oral anabolic endrogenic steroid that is used in the treatment of anemia. Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cell production. Red blood cells transport oxygen to working muscles and therefore are an integral part of athletic endeavors. We do not advocate the use of any steroid, unless directly supervised by a qualified medical professional.