By Linda SaetherCNN
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- It's the season for giving and receiving -- yes, of course, gifts and food and holiday cheer, but also something you probably don't want: germs.
Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze will help prevent spreading your cold.
Those invisible microorganisms are all around us. More often than not they transmit viruses that can cause, at best, a cold; at worst, the flu. It really isn't fair because you don't even know when you've come in contact with those pesky things until it's too late and you start to feel their presence. Actually what you feel is your own pain or body aches.
According to the American Lung Association, children get between six and eight colds a year, while adults usually get only one or two. Most of us know the symptoms of a cold -- runny nose, dry throat, cough, possibly even a low fever. The symptoms for the flu are similar, which explains why people sometimes confuse the two illnesses. But according to Dr. Lisa Bernstein, it's easy to know the difference. "With a cold you're sort of OK," she says. "With the flu you feel like you have been hit by a bus." Ouch.
In our effort to avoid being hit by that viral bus, we seem to be a society divided. On the one side there are the ultra germ-a-phobics, those brandishing hand sanitizers at a moment's notice, spritzing like a six-shooter at the OK Corral. On the other end of the spectrum is the "germ Darwinian" -- a practitioner of the "survival of the fittest" germ theory. Those folks believe being exposed to all germs is a good thing because taking on those germs will only make us stronger in the long run, even if it means getting sick now so we are armed and ready for the next meeting. Watch what you can do to fight a cold »
Dangling in between those two sides are the people like me, living in what we think is the land of common sense.
And that is where Bernstein comes in.
Don't Miss
In Depth: Cold & Flu
More Health for Her
"Some people are freaked out about all these germs, but it really comes down to common sense." (See!!) "Logically you should minimize contact with sick people or minimize contact when you are sick. Cover your mouth when you cough. If possible don't cough into your hand but into a tissue or even your sleeve. But using your hand is better than no cover at all. Hand-washing is the most important thing."
Ahh, the hand-washing. We have heard that forever, from our mothers, from our teachers, from ad campaigns that offer up wipes and gels and soaps and spray, all in an effort to keep us healthy and germ-free. The only problem is it turns out Mom was right and big business was wrong. Soap and water are all we need to keep germs at bay. According to Bernstein, who is an associate professor of medicine at Emory University, those antibacterial hand sanitizers aren't that effective.
"Colds and the flu are viral diseases, so the antibacterial aspect of the soap does no good," Bernstein says. It actually does some harm because "by using these, the bugs [bacteria] are getting smarter, and that is what we see happening."
So, basically, washing with antibacterial soap might make us more resistant to the very medications we might need later should we encounter harmful bacteria.
When it comes to fighting those viruses, it seems to be all in the hands. What about hand-shaking? That meet-and-greet motion has received a terrible rep as a germ pusher.
One germ-a-phobic Web site recommended a no-hand-shaking rule. Of course, that same Web site also recommended you call before you go to a holiday banquet and get a "day of" health report on all those who will be attending the event. One slight snag with that (aside from the DNRI label -- "do not re-invite"-- you will probably get from that host) is that people are usually contagious a day before their symptoms appear, so that "day of" report won't do a whole lot of good.
Health Library
MayoClinic.com: Cold and flu
But back to hand-shaking. Bernstein has this advice: "It's hard to avoid shaking hands in our society, especially in the business world. People who say they don't shake hands might appear odd." Instead, she recommends, "Shake hands but avoid putting that hand to your face. Then when it is socially OK, wash your hands to avoid germs."
Finally, the simplest way to avoid those ever-present, never-seen germs is to try to stay healthy. When your body is run down in any way, it simply can't fight back and you will get sick. So do what you can -- get the flu shot, try to wash your hands often, and be germ smart. But also be realistic, Bernstein concludes. "People are looking for this magic thing, the thing that will make us never get sick. The only problem with that is that is just not going to happen." E-mail to a friend
Friday, December 28, 2007
"Muscle Stretching for Runners" By Dave Reese PT
“One of the biggest reasons people cannot mobilize themselves is that they try to accomplish great things. Most worthwhile achievements are the result of many little things done in a single direction.” - Nido Quebin
We use at least 430 muscles to move our bodies.1 People take the time to exercise yet don’t allow the time to stretch. But guess what happens? When you exercise, your muscle contracts. Over time, it could gradually shorten, which also could affect the performance of the other muscle groups. This imbalance, could eventually lead to a change in how you move and result in injury. If you have symptoms of stiffness or tightness, cramps, achiness, fatigue, or feeling tired, stretching may help. This article will provide you with the benefits of stretching, guidelines for stretching, and how to stretch with some pictures to use for stretching your lower extremities.
Benefits of Stretching:“Normal” flexibility varies among each individual. Younger people and females tend to be more flexible than others.2 But everyone can stretch to better prepare the body for an activity and also facilitate recovery from that activity. Flexibility is generally defined as the range of motion around a joint. The goal of stretching is to improve your flexibility to enable you to perform an activity without compromising joint stability. Improved flexibility has many benefits:3
· Increased range of motion of your joints- requires less energy and provides a safer and more efficient movement.
· Injury prevention- although there is insufficient evidence to prove, by improving your range of motion, the soft tissue’s resistance to stretch is decreased. Soft tissue damage may not occur as this elastic limit of the tissue is not exceeded.
· Decreased muscle soreness- stretching after exercise can prevent or reduce delayed muscle soreness and enhance recovery. ( This may be attributed to the increased muscle temperature, circulation, enhanced blood supply and nutrients available to the muscle and joint during the stretching activity)
· Increased blood supply, nutrients and joint synovial fluid- regular stretching and proper warm-up increases the deep muscle and tissue temperature which decreases the synovial fluid thickness. This enables nutrients to be transported more easily to the joint articular and hyaline cartilage, possibly decreasing degenerative joint changes and allowing increased joint range of motion.
· Better posture- by improving your flexibility, better postural alignment and muscular balance can occur. Studies show that by improving pelvic mobility and strength, decreased low back pain is noted.
· Stress reduction- stretching encourages muscular and mental relaxation. These positive adaptations should lead to healthy, supple muscles that are more resistant to fatigue and injury.
Guidelines for Stretching:I.) When to Stretch?
-Stretching is not a warm-up. The goal of your warm-up is to gradually increase the metabolic demands required for running. By doing a progressive warm-up, muscle temperature and blood circulation will increase. More blood flow (and nutrients and oxygen which fuel exercise) to the working muscles helps prevent metabolic by-products such as lactic acid. Improved core temperature allows for increased elasticity of the soft tissue structures improving flexibility and range of motion. Nerve impulses also travel faster at higher temperatures preparing the muscles for increased speed of contraction.
· Warm-up: should be gradual and of sufficient intensity to increase muscle and core temperature without causing fatigue or reducing energy stores. Usually 3-5 minutes is appropriate. Older, beginner, overweight, pregnant, or cardiac individuals may need 10-15 minutes.4
· If you will be running at a leisurely or steady state pace, stretching may not be needed if a proper warm-up is done. Stretching is encouraged; however, hold stretches to only 10 seconds before or during this warm-up phase.5
· For competition or more vigorous training, you may want to do a 10-15 minute warm-up, stretch, do an additional warm-up and then begin that specific activity.
· Cool-down: After an appropriate active cool-down of lowered intensity level, stretching is most beneficial. Try and stretch within 5-10 minutes after your activity. Increased body temperature increases the elasticity of the soft tissue structures allowing more stretch and flexibility.
II.) When NOT to stretch? 6,7
-If a sharp pain or discomfort is felt in either the muscle or joint-When a muscle or joint is infected or inflamed-Within 24-72 hours of a muscular or tendonous trauma-Following a muscle strain or ligament sprain-After a recent fracture-If osteoporosis is present-If a hard or bony block limits joint range of motion-Use caution when you have a hyper mobile joint
III.) Types of Stretching?2,3,7
-A review of the literature revealed there is no one best way to stretch. Flexibility is joint specific, meaning if you are flexible in one joint, you may not be in another. A variety of structures (joint, skin, tendons and ligaments, muscle, etc…) affect flexibility. Some can be changed, while others can not. Muscle and its fascial components are changeable and respond to the following 5 types of stretches:1) Static- generally the safest, being controlled, low-force, long duration, low risk. Stretches are held at end range for 30-60 seconds. May use active or passive movement combinations.2) Dynamic or Ballistic- both are classified as active stretches using bouncing or abrupt type movements. They are high force, high risk activities. Dynamic stretches can be sport specific to running using fast, long strides ( with a posterior pelvic tilt). Dynamically, this stretches the hip flexors.
3) Active- voluntary, requiring strength of the muscle opposing the muscle to be stretched. It is low force and low risk. An example is lying on your back using your quadriceps to extend the knee, stretching the hamstrings.
4) Passive- when movements are applied by another source, such as a partner. They potentially have higher force and higher risk.
5) PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)- usually are performed by a partner and requires some expertise. Involves both active and passive movements (concentric and isometric). It is high force and high risk.
Common techniques are:a) Hold-Relax: perform a passive pre-stretch of the muscle to end range. The athlete is instructed to ‘hold’ resisting the movement (isometric contraction) and then a passive stretch is then performed.
b) Hold-Relax with Agonist Contraction: same technique as hold-relax, however, during the final phase, a concentric contraction of the agonist (opposing muscle) is used along with a passive stretch to further increase range of motion.
How to Stretch:
Your stretching program is a planned and regular routine that promotes permanent elongation of the soft tissue without causing or contributing to an injury. Improving flexibility is a slow and gradual program. It may take several weeks of stretching before significant gains in flexibility are noted. Consider the following recommendations when performing your stretches:6,7
* In review, after a proper warm-up of at least 3-5 minutes, perform a static stretch for 10 seconds to each muscle group.
* During your cool-down, stretches should be applied for at least 30-60 seconds.
* Perform 2 sets of a stretch per muscle group during the cool-down.
* Stretch from distal to proximal muscle groups (gastrocnemius up to hip complex)
1) Move slowly through your range of motion to the point of tightness.
2) Perform the type of stretch.
3) As you stretch, the tension should gradually decrease. Take the muscle just beyond
the point of tightness at that time.
4) Stretch for the recommended time frame.
5) The stretch should apply tension on the soft tissues but not create pain.
6) Slowly release the stretch.
7) Repeat on the other extremity.
Pictures: Two pictures are provided for stretching each of the major muscle groups of the lower extremity. Below each stretch is an explanation of how to stretch that muscle in a ‘start’ and ‘finish’ position. In conclusion, muscle stretching should become a relaxing and enjoyable time to better prepare you both mentally and physically for your running program. Although this article only showed lower extremity stretches, consider stretching all of the major muscle groups for balance and symmetry 1-2 times a week. Yoga classes are one example of a group class program. Try the various types of stretches to see which you respond best to. Also, once you become comfortable with stretching, stretch your muscles in variations of each position of stretch. Our muscles have different fiber directions and orientations, and may respond better to these subtle changes. Contact a Sports Physical Therapist if you have any specific needs or problems. Maintain your flexibility gains by performing a regular and routine stretching program.
The author: Dave Reese PT
Is a Physical Therapist and certified strength training specialist at Performance Therapies, P.C., 2590 Holiday Rd., Ste. 10, Coralville, Iowa 52241. Correspondence can be sent to this address or by calling 319-625-3030.
Lower Extremity Stretches
Gastrocnemius: Place hands against wall, feet pointing forward, leg straight. Bend front knee keeping the heel of the back leg on the ground.
Start
Finish
Soleus: Place hands against wall, feet pointing forward, leg straight. Bend back kneekeeping the heel of the back leg on the ground.
Start
Finish
Quadriceps: Place foot on object with the other foot ahead of your knee. Tighten abdominals holding a posterior pelvic tilt. Drop the knee down keeping it close to other leg.
Start
Finish
Hamstring: Place foot on object. Do an anterior pelvic tilt (arch your low back). Leading with your chest, lean forward.
Start
Finish
Gluteals: Place foot on object. Lean forwards on that leg, moving through your opposite hip.
Start
Finish
Hip Flexors: Place foot on object. Internally rotate other leg (heel turned out). Tighten abdominals. Lean forward through rotated leg. Sidebend (reach arm overhead to opposite side) away.
Start
Finish
Adductors: Stand with feet apart. Step one leg out to side. Bend that knee, keeping your other leg straight.
Start
Finish
Piriformis: Lying on your back with knees bent, cross your leg onto the other knee. Extend opposite hand out to stabilze. Use other hand on knee to rotate hip. Don’t let hip come offthe ground.
Start
Finish
Gluteal Complex: On hands and knees, extend one leg back. Pivot and rotate the other legunder you. With an anterior tilt slide extended leg further back. Keep hips level.
Start
Finish
REFERENCES:
Eventh J and Hamburg J. Auto Stretching. Alfta Rehab Forlag. Alfta, Sweden. 1989 p. 5-11
Baechle TR and Earle RW. Stretching and Warm-up, by Holcomb WR. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 2nd Ed. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 2000. 16: 321-330
Brooks DS. Neurophysiology of Flexibility. Program Design for Personal Trainers:Bridging Theory Into Application. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 1998. 8:141-151
Brooks DS. A Physiological basis for warm-up and cool-down. Program Design forPersonal Trainers: Bridging Theory Into Application. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 1998. 9:153-161
Kravitz, L and Kosich, D. Flexibility: A comprehensive research review andprogram design guide. IDEA Today. 1993 June, pp.42-49
Brooks DS. Flexibility Training. Program Design for Personal Trainers: BridgingTheory Into Application. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 1998. 17: 265-276
Kisner C. and Colby LA. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Technique. F.A.Davis Company. Philadelphia. 1985 4: 117-146
So eat wisely (nutrition) Train wisely. And you’ll keep running year after year without injury.
We use at least 430 muscles to move our bodies.1 People take the time to exercise yet don’t allow the time to stretch. But guess what happens? When you exercise, your muscle contracts. Over time, it could gradually shorten, which also could affect the performance of the other muscle groups. This imbalance, could eventually lead to a change in how you move and result in injury. If you have symptoms of stiffness or tightness, cramps, achiness, fatigue, or feeling tired, stretching may help. This article will provide you with the benefits of stretching, guidelines for stretching, and how to stretch with some pictures to use for stretching your lower extremities.
Benefits of Stretching:“Normal” flexibility varies among each individual. Younger people and females tend to be more flexible than others.2 But everyone can stretch to better prepare the body for an activity and also facilitate recovery from that activity. Flexibility is generally defined as the range of motion around a joint. The goal of stretching is to improve your flexibility to enable you to perform an activity without compromising joint stability. Improved flexibility has many benefits:3
· Increased range of motion of your joints- requires less energy and provides a safer and more efficient movement.
· Injury prevention- although there is insufficient evidence to prove, by improving your range of motion, the soft tissue’s resistance to stretch is decreased. Soft tissue damage may not occur as this elastic limit of the tissue is not exceeded.
· Decreased muscle soreness- stretching after exercise can prevent or reduce delayed muscle soreness and enhance recovery. ( This may be attributed to the increased muscle temperature, circulation, enhanced blood supply and nutrients available to the muscle and joint during the stretching activity)
· Increased blood supply, nutrients and joint synovial fluid- regular stretching and proper warm-up increases the deep muscle and tissue temperature which decreases the synovial fluid thickness. This enables nutrients to be transported more easily to the joint articular and hyaline cartilage, possibly decreasing degenerative joint changes and allowing increased joint range of motion.
· Better posture- by improving your flexibility, better postural alignment and muscular balance can occur. Studies show that by improving pelvic mobility and strength, decreased low back pain is noted.
· Stress reduction- stretching encourages muscular and mental relaxation. These positive adaptations should lead to healthy, supple muscles that are more resistant to fatigue and injury.
Guidelines for Stretching:I.) When to Stretch?
-Stretching is not a warm-up. The goal of your warm-up is to gradually increase the metabolic demands required for running. By doing a progressive warm-up, muscle temperature and blood circulation will increase. More blood flow (and nutrients and oxygen which fuel exercise) to the working muscles helps prevent metabolic by-products such as lactic acid. Improved core temperature allows for increased elasticity of the soft tissue structures improving flexibility and range of motion. Nerve impulses also travel faster at higher temperatures preparing the muscles for increased speed of contraction.
· Warm-up: should be gradual and of sufficient intensity to increase muscle and core temperature without causing fatigue or reducing energy stores. Usually 3-5 minutes is appropriate. Older, beginner, overweight, pregnant, or cardiac individuals may need 10-15 minutes.4
· If you will be running at a leisurely or steady state pace, stretching may not be needed if a proper warm-up is done. Stretching is encouraged; however, hold stretches to only 10 seconds before or during this warm-up phase.5
· For competition or more vigorous training, you may want to do a 10-15 minute warm-up, stretch, do an additional warm-up and then begin that specific activity.
· Cool-down: After an appropriate active cool-down of lowered intensity level, stretching is most beneficial. Try and stretch within 5-10 minutes after your activity. Increased body temperature increases the elasticity of the soft tissue structures allowing more stretch and flexibility.
II.) When NOT to stretch? 6,7
-If a sharp pain or discomfort is felt in either the muscle or joint-When a muscle or joint is infected or inflamed-Within 24-72 hours of a muscular or tendonous trauma-Following a muscle strain or ligament sprain-After a recent fracture-If osteoporosis is present-If a hard or bony block limits joint range of motion-Use caution when you have a hyper mobile joint
III.) Types of Stretching?2,3,7
-A review of the literature revealed there is no one best way to stretch. Flexibility is joint specific, meaning if you are flexible in one joint, you may not be in another. A variety of structures (joint, skin, tendons and ligaments, muscle, etc…) affect flexibility. Some can be changed, while others can not. Muscle and its fascial components are changeable and respond to the following 5 types of stretches:1) Static- generally the safest, being controlled, low-force, long duration, low risk. Stretches are held at end range for 30-60 seconds. May use active or passive movement combinations.2) Dynamic or Ballistic- both are classified as active stretches using bouncing or abrupt type movements. They are high force, high risk activities. Dynamic stretches can be sport specific to running using fast, long strides ( with a posterior pelvic tilt). Dynamically, this stretches the hip flexors.
3) Active- voluntary, requiring strength of the muscle opposing the muscle to be stretched. It is low force and low risk. An example is lying on your back using your quadriceps to extend the knee, stretching the hamstrings.
4) Passive- when movements are applied by another source, such as a partner. They potentially have higher force and higher risk.
5) PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)- usually are performed by a partner and requires some expertise. Involves both active and passive movements (concentric and isometric). It is high force and high risk.
Common techniques are:a) Hold-Relax: perform a passive pre-stretch of the muscle to end range. The athlete is instructed to ‘hold’ resisting the movement (isometric contraction) and then a passive stretch is then performed.
b) Hold-Relax with Agonist Contraction: same technique as hold-relax, however, during the final phase, a concentric contraction of the agonist (opposing muscle) is used along with a passive stretch to further increase range of motion.
How to Stretch:
Your stretching program is a planned and regular routine that promotes permanent elongation of the soft tissue without causing or contributing to an injury. Improving flexibility is a slow and gradual program. It may take several weeks of stretching before significant gains in flexibility are noted. Consider the following recommendations when performing your stretches:6,7
* In review, after a proper warm-up of at least 3-5 minutes, perform a static stretch for 10 seconds to each muscle group.
* During your cool-down, stretches should be applied for at least 30-60 seconds.
* Perform 2 sets of a stretch per muscle group during the cool-down.
* Stretch from distal to proximal muscle groups (gastrocnemius up to hip complex)
1) Move slowly through your range of motion to the point of tightness.
2) Perform the type of stretch.
3) As you stretch, the tension should gradually decrease. Take the muscle just beyond
the point of tightness at that time.
4) Stretch for the recommended time frame.
5) The stretch should apply tension on the soft tissues but not create pain.
6) Slowly release the stretch.
7) Repeat on the other extremity.
Pictures: Two pictures are provided for stretching each of the major muscle groups of the lower extremity. Below each stretch is an explanation of how to stretch that muscle in a ‘start’ and ‘finish’ position. In conclusion, muscle stretching should become a relaxing and enjoyable time to better prepare you both mentally and physically for your running program. Although this article only showed lower extremity stretches, consider stretching all of the major muscle groups for balance and symmetry 1-2 times a week. Yoga classes are one example of a group class program. Try the various types of stretches to see which you respond best to. Also, once you become comfortable with stretching, stretch your muscles in variations of each position of stretch. Our muscles have different fiber directions and orientations, and may respond better to these subtle changes. Contact a Sports Physical Therapist if you have any specific needs or problems. Maintain your flexibility gains by performing a regular and routine stretching program.
The author: Dave Reese PT
Is a Physical Therapist and certified strength training specialist at Performance Therapies, P.C., 2590 Holiday Rd., Ste. 10, Coralville, Iowa 52241. Correspondence can be sent to this address or by calling 319-625-3030.
Lower Extremity Stretches
Gastrocnemius: Place hands against wall, feet pointing forward, leg straight. Bend front knee keeping the heel of the back leg on the ground.
Start
Finish
Soleus: Place hands against wall, feet pointing forward, leg straight. Bend back kneekeeping the heel of the back leg on the ground.
Start
Finish
Quadriceps: Place foot on object with the other foot ahead of your knee. Tighten abdominals holding a posterior pelvic tilt. Drop the knee down keeping it close to other leg.
Start
Finish
Hamstring: Place foot on object. Do an anterior pelvic tilt (arch your low back). Leading with your chest, lean forward.
Start
Finish
Gluteals: Place foot on object. Lean forwards on that leg, moving through your opposite hip.
Start
Finish
Hip Flexors: Place foot on object. Internally rotate other leg (heel turned out). Tighten abdominals. Lean forward through rotated leg. Sidebend (reach arm overhead to opposite side) away.
Start
Finish
Adductors: Stand with feet apart. Step one leg out to side. Bend that knee, keeping your other leg straight.
Start
Finish
Piriformis: Lying on your back with knees bent, cross your leg onto the other knee. Extend opposite hand out to stabilze. Use other hand on knee to rotate hip. Don’t let hip come offthe ground.
Start
Finish
Gluteal Complex: On hands and knees, extend one leg back. Pivot and rotate the other legunder you. With an anterior tilt slide extended leg further back. Keep hips level.
Start
Finish
REFERENCES:
Eventh J and Hamburg J. Auto Stretching. Alfta Rehab Forlag. Alfta, Sweden. 1989 p. 5-11
Baechle TR and Earle RW. Stretching and Warm-up, by Holcomb WR. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. 2nd Ed. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 2000. 16: 321-330
Brooks DS. Neurophysiology of Flexibility. Program Design for Personal Trainers:Bridging Theory Into Application. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 1998. 8:141-151
Brooks DS. A Physiological basis for warm-up and cool-down. Program Design forPersonal Trainers: Bridging Theory Into Application. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 1998. 9:153-161
Kravitz, L and Kosich, D. Flexibility: A comprehensive research review andprogram design guide. IDEA Today. 1993 June, pp.42-49
Brooks DS. Flexibility Training. Program Design for Personal Trainers: BridgingTheory Into Application. Human Kinetics. Champaign, IL 1998. 17: 265-276
Kisner C. and Colby LA. Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Technique. F.A.Davis Company. Philadelphia. 1985 4: 117-146
So eat wisely (nutrition) Train wisely. And you’ll keep running year after year without injury.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Boston, MA—Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, was recently awarded the 2007 Eli Lilly Lecturer Award from the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolis
HOPKINTON, Mass. and CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec 27, 2007 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC: 18.96, -0.10, -0.52%), the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, and Document Sciences Corporation (Nasdaq: DOCX) today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby EMC will acquire publicly-held Document Sciences Corporation in a cash transaction valued at approximately $85,000,000. Document Sciences Corporation is the market's leading provider of document output management (DOM: 18.74, -0.23, -1.21%) software that facilitates highly personalized, multi-channel communications to customers, partners and suppliers. The acquisition complements and extends EMC's position in the transactional content management (TCM: 9.25, +0.60, +6.93%) marketplace, the fastest-growing segment of enterprise content management.
The board of directors of Document Sciences Corporation approved the transaction with EMC based, in part, upon the recommendation of a special committee of the Document Sciences board of directors that was established to evaluate strategic alternatives. Under the terms of the agreement, Document Sciences Corporation stockholders will receive $14.75 in cash for each share of Document Sciences Corporation common stock. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Document Sciences' stockholder and regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of calendar year 2008. This transaction is not expected to have a material impact on EMC financial results in 2008.
Document Sciences' xPression suite of document output management and customer communications solutions enables organizations to automate the creation and delivery of well-designed, highly personalized communications - from contracts, policies and high-volume relationship statements, to customized marketing collateral and correspondence. Leveraging xPression, Document Sciences' customers benefit from increased customer loyalty; a single, standards-based solution that integrates with enterprise CRM, ECM and ERP systems; and dramatically improved design and implementation of business communications.
Mark Lewis, President, Content Management and Archiving Division at EMC commented, "Core to delivering high-value transactional content management (TCM: 9.25, +0.60, +6.93%) solutions is a complete suite of technology, including high-volume, content-rich task processing, sophisticated capture, business process management, records management and archiving, as well as automated document output management. The proposed acquisition of Document Sciences would make EMC the first to offer all of these major capabilities in an all-in-one, integrated suite. Building on our recent commitment to deliver end-to-end solutions to solve real-world business problems, Document Sciences provides a tremendous advantage in addressing transaction-intensive applications such as loan origination, new account enrollment, wealth management, brokerage and claims processing. This gives our customers a significant competitive edge to increase customer loyalty and maximize business performance."
"We are pleased to enter into this transaction with EMC, which we believe provides our stockholders with an attractive value," said Jack McGannon, president and CEO of Document Sciences. "Since our inception in 1991, our vision has been to empower organizations worldwide with dynamic content publishing solutions to realize productivity benefits, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness. Currently, more than 500 major organizations around the globe rely on Document Sciences solutions to automate the creation and delivery of highly-personalized customer communications across all channels, with more than 100 using our next-generation xPression suite for both high- volume and real-time interactive document generation. Today's announcement with EMC enables us to take this vision one step further - providing us with the financial and technology resources of a proven leader in information management to further cement our market leadership."
Upon completion of the acquisition, EMC intends to operate Document Sciences Corporation as a business unit within the EMC Content Management and Archiving division.
About Document Sciences Corporation
Document Sciences (Nasdaq: DOCX) is a market-leading global provider of customer communications management solutions. Its award-winning xPression software suite enables organizations to automate the creation and delivery of well-designed, highly personalized communications -- from customized marketing collaterals, contracts and policies to high-volume relationship statements and correspondence. More than 500 content-driven organizations worldwide, including over 60 FORTUNE Global 500 companies, use Document Sciences' solutions to reduce development costs by up to 90%, improve time-to-revenue by as much as 75%, and enhance the overall customer experience with highly effective 1:1 communications. Based in Carlsbad, California, with award- winning offshore services operations in Beijing, China and offices across the U.S., in London and Sydney, Document Sciences also markets its products in Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia and Africa. For more information about Document Sciences Corporation, call 888.4.DOC.SCI or visit www.docscience.com.
About EMC
EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC: 18.96, -0.10, -0.52%) is the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at www.EMC.com.
EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) the satisfaction of closing conditions, including the receipt of Document Sciences' stockholder approval and regulatory approvals, in connection with the acquisition transaction; (iii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iv) our ability to protect our proprietary technology; (v) risks associated with managing the growth of our business, including risks associated with acquisitions and investments and the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (vi) fluctuations in VMware, Inc.'s operating results and risks associated with trading of VMware stock; (vii) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (viii) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (viv) component and product quality and availability; (x) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (xi) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (xii) war or acts of terrorism; (xiii) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xiv) fluctuating currency exchange rates; and (xv) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC's and Document Sciences' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC and Document Sciences disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC
In connection with the proposed acquisition by EMC, Document Sciences intends to file a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). STOCKHOLDERS OF DOCUMENT SCIENCES ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by EMC and Document Sciences through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement, when available, and each company's other filings with the SEC also may be obtained from the respective companies. Free copies of EMC's filings may be obtained by directing a request to EMC. You can request this information via the web at www.EMC.com/IR/request or by sending a written request to EMC Investor Relations, EMC Corporation, 176 South Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748. Free copies of Document Sciences' filings may be obtained by directing a request to Investor Relations at 888-4DOCSCI. In addition, investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the SEC by EMC on EMC's website at www.EMC.com, and investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Document Sciences on Document Sciences' website at www.docscience.com, when they become available.
Document Sciences, and its directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Documents Sciences' stockholders with respect to the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreement between EMC and Document Sciences. Information regarding Document Sciences' directors and executive officers is contained in Document Sciences' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC on June 29, 2007 for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which are filed with the SEC. As of June 22, 2007, Document Sciences' directors and executive officers beneficially owned (as calculated in accordance with SEC Rule 13d-3) approximately 2,670,645 shares, or 48.8%, of Document Sciences' common stock. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Document Sciences using the contact information set forth above. Additional information regarding interests of such participants will be included in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC and available free of charge as indicated above.
The board of directors of Document Sciences Corporation approved the transaction with EMC based, in part, upon the recommendation of a special committee of the Document Sciences board of directors that was established to evaluate strategic alternatives. Under the terms of the agreement, Document Sciences Corporation stockholders will receive $14.75 in cash for each share of Document Sciences Corporation common stock. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including Document Sciences' stockholder and regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of calendar year 2008. This transaction is not expected to have a material impact on EMC financial results in 2008.
Document Sciences' xPression suite of document output management and customer communications solutions enables organizations to automate the creation and delivery of well-designed, highly personalized communications - from contracts, policies and high-volume relationship statements, to customized marketing collateral and correspondence. Leveraging xPression, Document Sciences' customers benefit from increased customer loyalty; a single, standards-based solution that integrates with enterprise CRM, ECM and ERP systems; and dramatically improved design and implementation of business communications.
Mark Lewis, President, Content Management and Archiving Division at EMC commented, "Core to delivering high-value transactional content management (TCM: 9.25, +0.60, +6.93%) solutions is a complete suite of technology, including high-volume, content-rich task processing, sophisticated capture, business process management, records management and archiving, as well as automated document output management. The proposed acquisition of Document Sciences would make EMC the first to offer all of these major capabilities in an all-in-one, integrated suite. Building on our recent commitment to deliver end-to-end solutions to solve real-world business problems, Document Sciences provides a tremendous advantage in addressing transaction-intensive applications such as loan origination, new account enrollment, wealth management, brokerage and claims processing. This gives our customers a significant competitive edge to increase customer loyalty and maximize business performance."
"We are pleased to enter into this transaction with EMC, which we believe provides our stockholders with an attractive value," said Jack McGannon, president and CEO of Document Sciences. "Since our inception in 1991, our vision has been to empower organizations worldwide with dynamic content publishing solutions to realize productivity benefits, reduce costs, and increase competitiveness. Currently, more than 500 major organizations around the globe rely on Document Sciences solutions to automate the creation and delivery of highly-personalized customer communications across all channels, with more than 100 using our next-generation xPression suite for both high- volume and real-time interactive document generation. Today's announcement with EMC enables us to take this vision one step further - providing us with the financial and technology resources of a proven leader in information management to further cement our market leadership."
Upon completion of the acquisition, EMC intends to operate Document Sciences Corporation as a business unit within the EMC Content Management and Archiving division.
About Document Sciences Corporation
Document Sciences (Nasdaq: DOCX) is a market-leading global provider of customer communications management solutions. Its award-winning xPression software suite enables organizations to automate the creation and delivery of well-designed, highly personalized communications -- from customized marketing collaterals, contracts and policies to high-volume relationship statements and correspondence. More than 500 content-driven organizations worldwide, including over 60 FORTUNE Global 500 companies, use Document Sciences' solutions to reduce development costs by up to 90%, improve time-to-revenue by as much as 75%, and enhance the overall customer experience with highly effective 1:1 communications. Based in Carlsbad, California, with award- winning offshore services operations in Beijing, China and offices across the U.S., in London and Sydney, Document Sciences also markets its products in Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Latin America, Asia and Africa. For more information about Document Sciences Corporation, call 888.4.DOC.SCI or visit www.docscience.com.
About EMC
EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC: 18.96, -0.10, -0.52%) is the world's leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC's products and services can be found at www.EMC.com.
EMC is a registered trademark of EMC Corporation. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) the satisfaction of closing conditions, including the receipt of Document Sciences' stockholder approval and regulatory approvals, in connection with the acquisition transaction; (iii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iv) our ability to protect our proprietary technology; (v) risks associated with managing the growth of our business, including risks associated with acquisitions and investments and the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (vi) fluctuations in VMware, Inc.'s operating results and risks associated with trading of VMware stock; (vii) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (viii) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (viv) component and product quality and availability; (x) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (xi) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (xii) war or acts of terrorism; (xiii) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xiv) fluctuating currency exchange rates; and (xv) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC's and Document Sciences' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC and Document Sciences disclaim any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC
In connection with the proposed acquisition by EMC, Document Sciences intends to file a proxy statement and other relevant documents concerning the transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). STOCKHOLDERS OF DOCUMENT SCIENCES ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by EMC and Document Sciences through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement, when available, and each company's other filings with the SEC also may be obtained from the respective companies. Free copies of EMC's filings may be obtained by directing a request to EMC. You can request this information via the web at www.EMC.com/IR/request or by sending a written request to EMC Investor Relations, EMC Corporation, 176 South Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748. Free copies of Document Sciences' filings may be obtained by directing a request to Investor Relations at 888-4DOCSCI. In addition, investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the SEC by EMC on EMC's website at www.EMC.com, and investors and security holders may access copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Document Sciences on Document Sciences' website at www.docscience.com, when they become available.
Document Sciences, and its directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Documents Sciences' stockholders with respect to the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreement between EMC and Document Sciences. Information regarding Document Sciences' directors and executive officers is contained in Document Sciences' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and its proxy statement filed with the SEC on June 29, 2007 for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which are filed with the SEC. As of June 22, 2007, Document Sciences' directors and executive officers beneficially owned (as calculated in accordance with SEC Rule 13d-3) approximately 2,670,645 shares, or 48.8%, of Document Sciences' common stock. You can obtain free copies of these documents from Document Sciences using the contact information set forth above. Additional information regarding interests of such participants will be included in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC and available free of charge as indicated above.
Boston University Medical Center researcher honored
Boston, MA—Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, was recently awarded the 2007 Eli Lilly Lecturer Award from the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (CSEM). Holick, an internationally recognized expert in vitamin D and skin research, received the award for decades of pioneering work that elucidated the important role vitamin D plays in a wide variety of chronic health conditions.
Holick is a professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics, and director of the General Clinical Research Center at Boston University School of Medicine and Director of the Bone Healthcare Clinic at Boston Medical Center.
The Eli Lilly Lecturer Award has been awarded to some of the most prominent endocrinologists in the world. CSEM represents over three hundred endocrinologists engaged in basic research or clinical practice in communities, universities and industries across Canada. They also represent the interests of their members with respect to clinical practice, academic training, research funding and medical politics.
After completing medical school at the University of Wisconsin in 1976, Holick joined the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital where he did an internship in medicine while simultaneously initiating a basic and clinical research program on the photobiology of vitamin D. Over the next several years he made major contributions in the areas of skin disease, metabolic bone disease, and calcium metabolism.
In 1987, Holick was recruited by Boston University School of Medicine for the position of chief of endocrinology at Boston City Hospital and director of the Clinical Research Center. Since assuming this position, he has initiated numerous clinical research programs. His psoriasis work with active vitamin D is considered to be on the forefront of research into this complex disease. The results of these programs have led to significant contributions in the basic science of vitamin D and more recently into a clearer understanding of the calciotropic hormone, PTHrP and its uses. This translates into remarkable new therapies for a wide diversity of diseases from psoriasis and hair loss to osteoporosis.
Holick has received numerous honors and awards including The American Society for Clinical Nutritions McCollum Award for his innovative research in the field of photobiology in 1994, and the Psoriasis Research Achievement Award, American Skin Association in 2000, the Robert H. Herman Memorial Award in Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Clinical Nutrition 2002, and the General Clinical Research Centers Program Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in 2006 and the Functional Medicine Linus Pauling Award in 2007.
Holick is a professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics, and director of the General Clinical Research Center at Boston University School of Medicine and Director of the Bone Healthcare Clinic at Boston Medical Center.
The Eli Lilly Lecturer Award has been awarded to some of the most prominent endocrinologists in the world. CSEM represents over three hundred endocrinologists engaged in basic research or clinical practice in communities, universities and industries across Canada. They also represent the interests of their members with respect to clinical practice, academic training, research funding and medical politics.
After completing medical school at the University of Wisconsin in 1976, Holick joined the staff at the Massachusetts General Hospital where he did an internship in medicine while simultaneously initiating a basic and clinical research program on the photobiology of vitamin D. Over the next several years he made major contributions in the areas of skin disease, metabolic bone disease, and calcium metabolism.
In 1987, Holick was recruited by Boston University School of Medicine for the position of chief of endocrinology at Boston City Hospital and director of the Clinical Research Center. Since assuming this position, he has initiated numerous clinical research programs. His psoriasis work with active vitamin D is considered to be on the forefront of research into this complex disease. The results of these programs have led to significant contributions in the basic science of vitamin D and more recently into a clearer understanding of the calciotropic hormone, PTHrP and its uses. This translates into remarkable new therapies for a wide diversity of diseases from psoriasis and hair loss to osteoporosis.
Holick has received numerous honors and awards including The American Society for Clinical Nutritions McCollum Award for his innovative research in the field of photobiology in 1994, and the Psoriasis Research Achievement Award, American Skin Association in 2000, the Robert H. Herman Memorial Award in Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Clinical Nutrition 2002, and the General Clinical Research Centers Program Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in 2006 and the Functional Medicine Linus Pauling Award in 2007.
Research lands professor on cover of ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal
CHARLESTON — Research by an Eastern Illinois University faculty member has landed him on the cover of the January/February 2008 issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal.Jeffrey M. Willardson, assistant professor of kinesiology and sports studies, is featured with Jennifer Carter, a former student, in the issue coming out Friday. The photo was taken by Doug Lawhead, also an EIU employee.The bi-monthly publication, published by the American College of Sports Medicine, contains information primarily for fitness instructors, personal trainers, exercise leaders, program directors and other health/fitness and medical fitness professionals. Its content includes material from the latest exercise science and nutrition research, as well as topics of interest for the health, medical, wellness and fitness industries.Willardson summarized the research which goes with the magazine’s cover:
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