Does that mean he rides around with a woody? ;)

Gives a whole new meaning to having a power crank(s)

c'mon frank..... this seems like a stretch

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It's not easy to juggle a pregnant wife and a troubled child, but somehow I managed to squeeze in 8 hours of TV a day - Homer Simpson

or to the term "hard workout"

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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

If this report is true,will it mean raising the suggested retail price? It would be interesting on how you would use this info for marketing,especialy at the IM tents. Like with the demo's

You think I could get Blue Cross will pay for a PC prescription?

I think this is may be a case of someone that knows a lot about the anatomy, blood supply, and possible effects of such blood supply on the anatomy, and therefore imagines it might have an effect. Since the brain is actually the center of effective sexual stimulation, this brain stimulation may be what is happening in this case. He thinks about "it" more, so "it" happens better.

On the other hand, the potential for increased irritation that can occur because of sitting with more pressure on the seat, especially if done over bumps (and this change of sitting style is very common when using PowerCranks), may be providing a slightly heightened sensation in those potenially sensitive tissues. Once again, causing the rider to think about the area more, which may contribute to "it" "working" better. If this were the case, the improvement would be seen almost immediately....as soon as the pain from riding diminished. However, the sexual stimulation area of the brain happens to be located next to the center of pain interpretation...so, maybe the pain "hurts so good". BTW, this is one of the reasons some people seem to get more aroused when pain is involved in the sexual act....stimulation one a nearby area has some "leakage" of signals to the adjacent areas....

IF a person had a real clinical problem due to inadequate blood flow, then rode PowerCranks for a while, THEN showed gradually improving function, I might be able to give the increased iliac blood flow theory some credence. But, if the person were inactive before beginning exercise...then, I'd just say that any form of exercise was probably the reason for the benefit. However, again, exercise in a previously inactive individual helps the brain to work a little better, so, there is that psychological possibility associated with exercise.

HOWEVER, just like the early users of Powercranks (before any studies were formally published) were saying that it doesn't matter if there are no scientific studies adequately explaining exactly how Powercranks make them ride/run faster, and even if the increases in performance were purely psychological: Who cares? Better performance is better. Period. Viva la Crank.

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Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)

I've only gained 2.5 inches.....

= But, if the person were inactive before beginning exercise.. =

actually the urologist in the email said that he is an 'avid cyclist' so in this case his (ahem) improvement shouldn't be related to this.

This is getting ridiculous... what will Gary Tingley think off to top this one?!!?!?! I can't even imagine...



Anyway, it seems that Powercranks never work in a way that lowers the pressure on the croutch area, they might even increase it, so how can this happen?

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"Yeah, no one likes a smartass, but we all like stars" - Thom Yorke


smartasscoach.tri-oeiras.com

". I attribute this effect to the expected vasodilation of the internal iliac arteries which supply blood the the hip flexors. These arteries also supply blood to the penile cavernosal tissue and thereby create a natural Viagra like effect. "

But the vast majority of resistance to blood flow is not in the large ateries, but rather the small arterioles. (How much can one actually vasodilate the iliac arteries?) My anatomy is pretty rusty, but I'd guess the small vessels (eg aterioles) which supply the hip flexors are not the same ones that supply the erectile tissue, so working the hip flexors shouldn't send any more blood to the penis. I'm guessing a placebo effect.

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jhc wrote: I'm guessing a placebo effect.


Like Steve Martin said, the thing I like about placebos is: they can make me feel any way I want!

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Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)

It would make it easier to get your wife/significant other to "Okay" the purchase!

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"your horse is too high" - tigerchik

JHC wrote: "But the vast majority of resistance to blood flow is not in the large ateries, but rather the small arterioles. (How much can one actually vasodilate the iliac arteries?) My anatomy is pretty rusty, but I'd guess the small vessels (eg aterioles) which supply the hip flexors are not the same ones that supply the erectile tissue, so working the hip flexors shouldn't send any more blood to the penis. I'm guessing a placebo effect."

Actually, I agree, except for the last sentence. I actually wrote back and suggested an alternative explanation, if it is a real effect, and that is a change in sympathetic/parasympathetic tone to the area. Both of these are systems are important to this result. It is possible this was a placebo effect but I certainly didn't put any expectation there nor do I think there was any expectation on his part. What is unusual is he is a trained observer, especially as regards this function of the body, so may be more attuned to any changes he observes in himself and putting two and two together.

Testing whether the effect is real should be relatively easy. Proving the actual reason for the effect (assuming it is real) would be more difficult I would presume.

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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

"change in sympathetic/parasympathetic tone to the area"

That's not really an "alternate" explanation... the autonomic system plays a large role in regulating blood flow. Vasodilation occurs when sympathetic tone is withdrawm from the ateriolar smooth muscle. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I can't really think of a mechanism whereby exercise/vasodilation in the hip flexors leads to increased blood flow to the penis.

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Gee, I thought it was an alternate explanation to the one he proposed. Anyhow, if the effect is real, then we will have to come up with one.

Since the hardness of an erection (what he reported) is a balancing of the blood flow into the penis and restriction of blood flow out, alterations of parasympathetic and sympathetic tone could be an explanation, if the effect is real. It is not unreasonable to assume exercise having an effect on these systems. Since these nerves follow blood vessels rather than typical dermatomal patterns of distribution seen with sensation, it is not unreasonable to conjecture that since the blood supply is the same that an exercise affect on the muscle carries over to the penis. Vasodilation during exercise doesn't occur because of direct sympathetic changes but rather, local effects on arterioles. I suggest these are changes that are occurring at rest, when erections generally occur.

Other than that, I can't think of a mechanism either. I look forward to seeing a study.

Frank

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Frank,
An original Ironman and the Inventor of PowerCranks

I don't really see the point Frank. I can only speak for myself, but it is probably true for most of this board. Three inches one way or the other is kind of like which way the quick release levers should be pointed. The difference is just not enough to notice.

The point is that the blood vessels of the penis and of the hip flexors are distinct both anatomically and biochemically. The penis is supplied by different branches of the deep internal pudendeal arteries which are distinct from the arteries supplying hip flexors.

In addition, sympathetic stimulation (like exercise-induced epinephrine release) will dilate the vasculature of skeletal muscle due to the high concentration of beta-adrenergic receptors. Sympathetic stimulation of the penile vasculature, however, will cause vasocontriction due to a high concentration of alpha-adrenergic receptors (think of losing an erection due to performance anxiety).

Maybe your customer was so excited about his smooth pedal stroke that it carried over into other activities.... ;)

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Hey, Art. Three inches "one way or the other" could mean Zero for some of us!

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Quid quid latine dictum sit altum videtur
(That which is said in Latin sounds profound)

This thread is making my horny. Hey hid come here for a sec...

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customerjon @gmail.com is where information happens.

This just makes me want to install them on both feet and hands for that turbo charged feeling. Is it April fools already ?...........

My wife doesn't believe it...however, could someone please post that HED 3 wheels make them last all night in bed....and that Easton aero bars can result in a full head of hair..and finally if attached to an Elite Razor it will cause the rider to morph into Brad Pitt...

Full Disclosure: I have never been riding with Dan.

Woody

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Mike Hollywood
http://www.bostontriathlonteam.com
http://www.michaelhollywood.com