Jennie Stenerhag, the 2009 Cape Argus Winner Experiences Innovation at Cape Argus Lifestyle Expo

Winner of the 2009 Cape Argus Cycle Tour, Jennie Stenerhag from Sweden, visited the Powerade Performance Stand at the Cape Argus Lifestyle Expo today to see what it feels like to experience the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber.

“I compete in up to 78 races a year,” said Stenerhag,  “This means that I have to be in peak condition all the time and machines like the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber will be beneficial for me as it helps prepare athletes as well as getting rid of the build-up of lactic acid after a race.”

Stenerhag will be in action on Sunday and is hoping to repeat her 2009 triumph.

When asked by a member of the public what advice she can give to cyclists starting out Stenerhag said:  “Go slowly.  It is best to go for short rides, and perhaps even twice a day, but do not go on these long slow rides.

When asked about her training, the charismatic cyclist said:  “I train based on what race I am about to compete in but normally between three and four hours a day.  I will not do any more.  People say one should train for a minimum of five hours, but I do not believe that.

“I have raced up to six days in a row and need to prevent injuries.  I like this Vacusport chamber and definitely see it as the way of the future and will definitely use it on a regular basis.

The principle of the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber lies in space medicine. The device was designed to help astronauts keep fit in the weightlessness of space and maintain the arterial blood supply of the lower extremities. 

“Powerade is an endurance performance sports drink, and as such, everything we do around our sporting assets ties back to a scientific approach to hydration and exercise,” says Craig van Niekerk, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager.

Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber was conceptualized in the 1960’s by the German Institute for Space Medicine at the German Aerospace Centre in Cologne.  Since its introduction, many papers have been written on the device, including one published by the American Journal of Physiology in 2001.

There are eight different programmes that can be utilized in this machine:

• Regeneration after training, reduction of lactate, cool down
• Regeneration after competition
• Improvement and optimization of performance before or after competition
• Vessel-training, capillarisation, optimization of blood count
• Rehabilitation of sports injuries (ruptures, bruising, haematomas)
• Rehabilitation of sports injuries (stretched or pulled ligaments and fractures)
• Wound healing
• Traction programme for the spinal column

Jennie Stenerhag passes on tips on training and the race day

Janez Vermeiren, Top Billing presenter is trying to decide if he should test out the device 

David Bellairs and Liezel van der Westhuizen wait for their turn on the Vacusport Lowerbody Negative Pressure Decompression Device

Stevel Marc has a chance on the device and is not short of a humerous moment

Liezel also gets a turn

After an explanation and a couple of questions Janez cannot wait for his turn

Janez Finally gets his turn

Kevin McCallum finds the device really interesting and is one of the first to try it out.

Powerade MC Stevel Marc and Gugu Zulu with his girlfriend Survivor South Africa Maldives runnerup Letshego Moshoeu

Jennie Stenerhag tries out the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Device

Willie Engelbrecht visits the Powerade Performance Stand and Talks to the Fans

Five times Cape Argus Cycle Tour winner, Willie Engelbrecht, visited the Powerade Performance Stand at the Cape Argus Lifestyle Expo today to experience the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber.

Engelbrecht also spoke to some of his fans who were keen to find out more about training for a race such as the Cape Argus Cycle Tour. “The best advice I can give you is not to make any changes to your diet the day before the race, specifically when it comes to the energy boosters.  Stick to Powerade, Coca-Cola and water.”

This was endorsed by sports scientist, Ross Tucker.  “But, what all cyclists need to be aware of is over hydration.  You need to listen to our bodies.  If you feel thirsty then drink, but do not think that you need to take in liquids at every watering point.  It is normal to lost up to 2kg during the race.  This you can pick up again after a Powerade at the finish.  What we scientists fear the most is when an athlete picks up weight during a race.  This is a sure indication that something is wrong which could lead to water on the brain and the athlete can go into a coma.”

Tucker advised cyclists to eat foods such as banana and potato just before the race.  “Food that converts to energy is what is needed prior to the race and not carbo loading.” 

The principle of the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber lies in space medicine. The device was designed to help astronauts keep fit in the weightlessness of space and maintain the arterial blood supply of the lower extremities. 

“Powerade is an endurance performance sports drink, and as such, everything we do around our sporting assets ties back to a scientific approach to hydration and exercise,” says Craig van Niekerk, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager.

Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Compression Chamber was conceptualized in the 1960’s by the German Institute for Space Medicine at the German Aerospace Centre in Cologne.  Since its introduction, many papers have been written on the device, including one published by the American Journal of Physiology in 2001.

Ross Tucker talking about various aspects of training on the Powerade Performance Stand

Willie Engelbrecht trying out the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Chamber

Gustav Obermeyer tells Willie Engelbrecht trying how the Vacusport Lower Body Negative Pressure Chamber works