Tripleshot Cycling

Danish researchers published a study today, reported in the British Medical Journal, that big thighs are associated with living longer.

They concluded: "A low thigh circumference seems to be associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease or premature death. The adverse effects of small thighs might be related to too little muscle mass in the region. The measure of thigh circumference might be a relevant anthropometric measure to help general practitioners in early identification of individuals at an increased risk of premature morbidity and mortality."

Take home message? Keep cycling and soon you'll have thighs like Pete Lawless (who will no doubt live forever based on this study)

If you want to read the abstract, here's the link:

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract ... 03_2/b3292

There's an analogy that will work well for this group that relates to this study: The difference between hazard-based and time-based measures is analogous to the odds of winning a race and the margin of victory.

That study used harzard-based measures and determined that >60 cm thighs were less likely to die or get cardiovascular disease (at any given age). But there's no info on the 'margin of victory'. Peter, and those of his ilk, are less likely to suffer either fate than any of us with <60 cm thighs at any particular time point, but this study doesn't promise that he'll live forever - indeed, he might 'win' by only seconds.

What was also interesting was that the same was true for women - not just the same trend, but the same thigh-size threshold. More than 60 cm and you win (but again, no info on how much longer you'll live).

Also of note: There were very few athletes in the study. Thigh size wasn't necessarily equal to thigh muscle size. Nonetheless, the authors suggested that exercises that increase thighs to beyond 60 cm might reduce the risk of dying at a particular age.

Can you tell the school semester is just around the corner?

JT (the guy with a tape measure next to the bed)

WHY do you have a tape measure next to the bed? Does this have anything to do with your comment last week about "purple helmets at the front?" Someone needs to start screening these messages. Please.

Did I say purple helmets? I am sure I meant pink.

What's the circumference of your thighs Jeff?

Kidding aside - I'm 53 cm.

Is there a pill?