Randox Helps Cardiac Risk In The Young (CRY)

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 04 Jun 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Randox are delighted to announce their principle sponsorship of Team CRY Randox, a four-man team of elite athletes who will be raising funds for, and increasing awareness of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) by competing in The Race Across America (RAAM).

RAAM is a cycle endurance race, covering over 3,000 miles from Oceanside, California on the West coast to Annapolis, Maryland on the East coast. The route involves a total ascent of 108,600 feet, which is roughly the distance from sea level to the edge of space. Team CRY Randox aim to travel over 500 miles per day, consuming over 5,000 calories each and hope to finish in the top 3. This challenge will test the limits of endurance for the athletes involved and will place significant stress on the body and on the heart in particular.

Team CRY Randox comprises Greg Whyte, Richard Ball, Clive Middleton and Matt Wilson. Greg, Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University is a former Olympic Pentathlete and World Silver medallist. Richard was an International Modern Pentathlete, competing at 3 World Championships, Clive was a professional soccer player and has competed in 10 Triathlon World Championships, including 3 Hawaii Ironman's and Matt has competed in over 80 Olympic and 3 Ironman Triathlons. The pedigree of the athletes makes Team CRY Randox serious contenders for a podium finish.

Every week, approximately 8 young people (<35 years) die suddenly due to inherited cardiac diseases. These diseases are detectable and can be treated to reduce the incidence of mortality. Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) is a charity involved in screening, counselling, research, education, equipment donation and strategic policy-making. More information about CRY and inherited heart disease can be found at http://www.c-r-y.org.uk

Studies have shown that blood markers in elite athletes can transiently exceed thresholds indicative of cardiac damage. This phenomenon has been referred to as exercise induced cardiac fatigue (EICF). Studies of repeated bouts of cycling exercise are very limited, and the RAAM team have agreed to provide blood samples before, after and throughout the race, which will be analysed using Randox revolutionary new biochip array system, EVIDENCE, to gain further knowledge to help assess physiological stresses. The Randox mission statement is to revolutionise healthcare through continuously improving diagnostic solutions.

About Randox

Randox is an international diagnostics company, headquartered in the UK. Randox develop, manufacture and market clinical diagnostic products worldwide. Core products are: Biochip Array Technology; clinical chemistry analysers and reagents; quality controls and EQA; environmental diagnostics; recombinant proteins and antibodies.

http://www.randox.com