U.S. Track & Field Athletes Use High-Tech Tools As Quest For Gold Begins
BRISBANE, Australia, Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- As U.S. Track & Field athletes finalize their preparations in Brisbane for the Sydney Games, the team's coaches, trainers, and medical staff are using a new technology from Computerized Thermal Imaging, Inc. (CTI) (OTC Bulletin Board: COII - news), to provide a unique physiological view of athletes' bodies. Many team members in Brisbane are getting treatment every day based on the thermal imaging technology, which provides a ``real time'' physiological view, showing differences in body temperature often associated with injuries. The same technology assisted medical staff in treating athletes during the U.S. Track & Field Trials in Sacramento, Calif., and CTI is making the equipment available to the team throughout the Sydney Games.
CTI's computerized system allows thermal images to be presented instantly on a computer screen, displaying color-enhanced views of the body. Athletic trainers use this tool in their quest for information about an athlete's physical condition.
Dr. Dean Clark, a former athlete, track coach, and current U.S. Track & Field team chiropractor, has been utilizing computerized thermal imaging in his work with track and field team members and with athletes in his private practice.
``CTI's technology has greatly improved my ability to assist the U.S. Track & Field athletes during their training here in Brisbane,'' Clark said. ``The computerized images allow me to have a unique window on what's happening in their bodies. This can be crucial when it comes to high-level competition like the Olympics, where the athletes are often faced with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.''
Dr. Clark also is using CTI's Photonic Stimulator, a medical device that emits infrared light that penetrates the skin to promote blood flow and circulation to provide safe, temporary pain relief for the athletes.``
Melvin Lister, the 2000 NCAA outdoor triple jump champion, current national long jump champion, and a member of the U.S. Track & Field team, has been receiving regular treatments based on the thermal imaging technology. ``I know this technology works because I have never felt better in preparation for competition. The treatments that I have received have made a significant difference in my ability to bounce back from minor injuries.''
``I encourage all of the athletes I work with to utilize this innovative technology,'' said Dick Booth, assistant coach of the U.S. Track & Field team. ``There is no question in my mind that the ability of medical staff to see a potentially injured area allows them to better treat and prepare our athletes.''
Computerized Thermal Imaging, Inc. founded in 1987, is in business to improve the quality of life through the development and deployment of thermal imaging and associated technologies.
In addition to developing sports medicine and occupational medicine applications for this non-invasive, painless technology, CTI currently is seeking FDA approval for its breast imaging system to be used as an adjunct to mammography to assist physicians in detecting breast cancer. |
