Garmin has launched the Edge 705 and Edge 605 – the latest innovations in the popular line of integrated personal training systems for recreational and advanced cyclists.

The Edge 705 and Edge 605 will be available in December and provide mapping capabilities, street navigation and a 2.2” colour display in addition to tracking vertical profiles, climb and descent, altitude, speed, distance, and time.

The Edge 705 represents several breakthroughs in cycling technology, including SRM compatibility and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity. Through collaborative efforts with SRM — a pioneer in mobile power diagnostics for bicycles — Garmin gives cyclists the opportunity to monitor GPS position, power, heart rate, speed, cadence, altitude and gradient on the same display.

Edge 705 users will also be able to share their information – including courses, waypoints and workouts – with each other through ANT+Sport™ wireless technology. Read more »

Nike continues to find that women require gender specific characteristics to create comfortable, supportive and protective apparel that they can rely on.

As a result, they have created the Nike Women’s Statement No Sew top and the Women’s Statement Short Sleeve Top.

Women’s Statement No Sew Top

The women’s specific running line is built to meet the exact needs of the female body, whether it is for competition or a daily workout in the park. The ‘No Sew’ technology provides a streamlined fit around the body and has no stitches, to avoid chafing during the intensity of a run.

This 100% no sew, lightweight top provides style and maximum comfort for the female runner.

The shirt contains flat low profile seams that are bonded instead of stitched for reduced irritation chafing. In addition, it offers displaced side seams under the arm for minimal abrasion and running specific underarm gussets for maximum comfort when in movement.

As a finishing touch the zoned ventilation at those places where the body needs it the most, allows her to stay cool and dry for longer periods of time. RRP £50/€73.

Women’s Statement Short Sleeve Top

This lightweight short-sleeve top with a feminine cut has pre-shaped running sleeve gussets for comfort during running movements. The Nike Sphere Dry neckline in the front opens up with a half zip and prevents cling while the Nike Sphere React Cool fabric on the side and back will provide ventilation. RRP £30/€44.

Recently featured on BBC Breakfast News, the Royce Impact Free sports bra is considered suitable for medium to high impact sports activities. So if you’re going to be running, skipping or playing hockey then this may be the sports bra for you.

A concealed four hook and eye fastening mechanism gives flexible adjustment that also allows the bra to be worn as outerwear. Slightly padded shoulder straps make it a comfortable wear.

The design features of the Impact Free include:

• A wide lower band and high neckline to provide optimum support
• Seamfree cup lining for maximum comfort
• 100% cotton outer layer and poly/cotton moulded cup lining to encourage cool comfort and natural wicking properties

Impact Free, (RRP £28.00) offers complete comfort and support in sizes 30-38 and cup fittings D-J, and is available in black and white.

The Stair Climber is an indoor machine that can simulate the motion of walking up stairs. It tends to be a commercial machine that’s found in most well equipped gyms. It’s a low impact machine which means that there is less stress placed on your joints when exercising.

The Stair Climber tends to be quite expensive and should not be confused with the Lateral Thigh Trainer or Stepper.

The Stair Climber enables you improve the strength in your legs, particularly your glutes, hamstrings, and calf muscles. Exercising on the stepper is good for active sports such as skiing because it strengthens your legs.

When you’re on the Stair Climber, you’re in control of your session. You don’t have to worry about the weather, pollution, road surfaces, uneven terrain, pedestrians or road users. You can even watch TV while you’re exercising. You can repeat a session and compare your performances. You can train at the exact pace you want to or within specific heart rate zones.

Most Stair Climbers will have the following features:

• Pre-programmed functions
• Variable resistance levels
• Display console that can typically show elapsed time, calories burned, heart rate, distance, intensity level, revolutions per minute

Scientists have discovered how air pollution triggers heart attacks, which cause thousands of deaths each year.

Diesel exhaust fumes increase the stress on the heart during exercise and may account for the rise in heart deaths on days when pollution from traffic fumes is high, they say.

The World Health Organisation estimates that air pollution causes 800,000 premature deaths worldwide and a recent US study suggested long-term exposure to traffic fumes increases the risk of death from heart disease and stroke by 76 per cent.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that inhaling diesel fumes caused a threefold increase in stress on the heart by altering its electrical activity. The risk of blood clots was also increased.

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Recent research showing that chocolate is good for our health may have triggered many a guiltfree binge.

Unfortunately, it appears that an ounce a day is all we can justify on medical grounds.

After reviewing previous studies into chocolate and heart disease, one expert has calculated the optimum daily dose.

Professor Roger Corder says that an ounce, or 25g - around two or three squares - is best.

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Garmin has this week announced the launch of Forerunner 50 – a sleek, affordable gadget with intelligent technology to help runners and walkers track their workouts, automatically store their data and help them reach their personal fitness goals.

The unit is expected to be in the shops in October and as Product Manager, Andrew Silver says “A healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to come at a great sacrifice of time and money. The Forerunner 50 provides runners, walkers and cyclists with a cost-effective training tool that is compact and convenient. Whether you’re training diligently for a race or taking a leisurely stroll, the Forerunner 50 helps you get the most out of your time spent exercising.”

The central element of the Forerunner 50 system is an advanced fitness watch which interfaces wirelessly with other fitness devices such as a heart rate monitor or a foot pod that monitors speed and distance. Read more »

Diabetes patients could soon be able to take a pill to control their condition instead of repeated injections, researchers have claimed.

Experts at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen have found insulin can be covered by a coating which means it could eventually be taken orally.

Currently, the drug has to be injected so it is not broken down before it reaches the bloodstream.
The development offers hope to patients with a phobia of needles.

The research, presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester, shows that the coating means that insulin is protected from enzyme breakdown.

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Over 300 years ago, Isaac Newton declared that “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction”. Today adidas are using that same principle in the design of their latest Supernova Trail 5 shoe

The shoe has been engineered and created specifically for the athlete who takes cross country running seriously. What’s more it won’t comprise with cushioning and comfort.

The Supernova Trail shoe is quicker and lighter than its predecessors, with an updated ForMotion unit and mid-foot torsion for full-speed running on uneven terrain. A full Ortholite sockliner adds unprecedented step-in foot and feel, while NoSeam construction prevents blistering – even at the most punishing speeds. Read more »

The Scottish smoking ban has led to a significant advance in public health, the most detailed scientific study of the measure so far has suggested.

Comparisons at nine hospitals revealed that there was a 17% year-on-year drop in heart attack admissions since the ban was introduced in March 2006.

It said the quality of air in pubs is now equivalent to that found outdoors.

Exposure to second-hand smoke north of the border is down by 40% among adults and children, the study added.

The findings will be presented to an international conference in Edinburgh on the ban organised by the Scottish Government.

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