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Here is an interesting expose on a so-called Russian secret, not in sport, but apparently in "space". Does this little tale carry some other messages for us who confine our training activities to terra firma (solid earth)? A question was raised on the Biomch-L discussion group about the Russians astronauts not using their hands to support themselves while running on the treadmill in space. This differed from the American Astronauts who needed to utilize their hands to hold handlebars on the treadmill to avoid backward rotation due to the feet propelling the body during the run. The following web page reveals the "Russian Secret": <http://www.sportsci.com/topics/NASA/The_Russian_Secrete.htm> Related to this information is some of the history of the application of biomechanics in space programs which, like many other medical, scientific and health programs back here on earth, carry their fair share of controversy and intrigue. It certainly seems as if some latter day scientists are now making some interesting claims about what was achieved years before by Dr Ariel in the early days of space biomechanics, unless, of course, they can also emerge with some equally compelling documented evidence. Some of this history appears on these web pages: <http://www.sportsci.com/topics/NASA/Introduction.htm> <http://www.sportsci.com/topics/NASA/Default.asp> Dr Mel C Siff Denver, USA http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/