Smoking and fencing.

[jeff]

Which leads to the question "Is this thread restricted to tobacco?" (and for me, the answer is still no, and in the case of tobacco, never)

[purpzeyFCLI]

I smoke and fence however, one I start fencing for the day, I put all smoking on hold. That is to say, I don't smoke until I'm done competing.

Not going to lie, that's always a pleasant cigarette.

Makes my avatar that much better doesn't it?

[IanSerotkin]

A few years ago, on a lark, I decided to fence Div III Epee at a NAC. I think it was in Arlington.

I was the #2 seed coming out of pools. I blew through my first three or four DE bouts and made the round of 16. Then I fenced the #15 seed and got absolutely demolished.

So, my first question was, "Who ARE you??" Turns out he was a former Jordanian National Champion. He hadn't competed in ten years, but his students signed him up as a practical joke and he decided to actually go ahead and fence.

My second question was, "Okay Mr. National Champion, how in the world did you lose a bout in your pool?" His response:

"Oh, it was awful! The bouts come so close together, I was not used to it! I did not have time for a smoke break between the bouts!"

[Bryn Ralph]

Perhaps the real issue is whether there is scientific proof that cigarette smoking diminishes or enhances the fencer's performance either in practice or on the piste. If there is a significant physiological situation at large regarding smoking, then why don't the medical associations so identify?

[CvilleFencer]

Originally Posted by Five Rings

Dude . . . that sounds like . . . a bong.

Not really. A bong (these have more in common with some high end hookas, but still not so much) still burns tobacco, it just uses water as a filter and cools down the smoke so you can take more into your lungs and it a more comfortable draw. These look just like a regular stogie, except for the fact that they don't burn down and you exhale a cloud of white steam instead of grey smoke.

[purpzeyFCLI]

Originally Posted by Bryn Ralph

Perhaps the real issue is whether there is scientific proof that cigarette smoking diminishes or enhances the fencer's performance either in practice or on the piste. If there is a significant physiological situation at large regarding smoking, then why don't the medical associations so identify?

Perhaps I misunderstand your question, but, given the abundance of studies about the effect of smoking on lung capacity and the "clogging" of airways I'd have to say there is some medical documentation.

As per whether there is a study dedicated to "The Effects of Smoking on Fencers" as someone's Phd Thesis seems unlikely.

I mean, I smoke, I smoke marlboro reds, in fact I am smoking right now. And I d**n well known that it's bad for my lungs. I need my lungs when fencing, therefore anything bad for them should affect my fencing...

I dunno, this seems really obvious to me, perhaps I don't get the question.

[keropie]

The question would be whether or not the psychological and physiological benefits (being calmer and such) outweight the negatives (decreased lung capacity and such). I'll never know, as I'll never smoke, but I manage to have the crappy lung capacity anyhow. Damn second hand smoke, but I couldn't exactly run away from home, now could I? Well, maybe I could have, but I liked food, also, so I decided not to

[latenight]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

Perhaps what I meant is lost in translation, I wasn't talking about whether people looked younger or not.

I meant that it looks really unhealthy and...filthy. Disgusting. (I know those are strong words but my english vocabulary limits me to use more fine-tuned words, sorry.)

For a visual comparison, imagine someone picking up left-overs from a trashcan and putting it in their mouth. That's what it looks like to me. Yuk.

You should see the Swedes on my team with the loose cut snus!

[purpzeyFCLI]

Originally Posted by keropie

The question would be whether or not the psychological and physiological benefits (being calmer and such) outweight the negatives (decreased lung capacity and such). I'll never know, as I'll never smoke, but I manage to have the crappy lung capacity anyhow. Damn second hand smoke, but I couldn't exactly run away from home, now could I? Well, maybe I could have, but I liked food, also, so I decided not to

In actuality, and there is scientific evidence to back this up, while in a sense nicotine does "relax" you in fact it makes you more edgy.

Tobacco is a stimulant, it contains caffeine amongst other things that ultimately raise your blood pressure. So, in essence, in my estimation and I imagine there are studies to back this up, if not I consider myself a personal case-study, there is no way on God's green earth (if or if not there is a God) that the psychological outweighs the physiological.

As much as I'd like to say there is some benefit from smoking. There isn't.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by latenight

You should see the Swedes on my team with the loose cut snus!

I can imagine! But then again there's no such thing as 2nd hand snusing.

[keropie]

Originally Posted by purpzeyFCLI

In actuality, and there is scientific evidence to back this up, while in a sense nicotine does "relax" you in fact it makes you more edgy.

Tobacco is a stimulant, it contains caffeine amongst other things that ultimately raise your blood pressure. So, in essence, in my estimation and I imagine there are studies to back this up, if not I consider myself a personal case-study, there is no way on God's green earth (if or if not there is a God) that the psychological outweighs the physiological.

As much as I'd like to say there is some benefit from smoking. There isn't.

I wasn't making a stand on either side, just noting the question

[purpzeyFCLI]

Originally Posted by keropie

I wasn't making a stand on either side, just noting the question

It's a charged issue. Since I smoke, I'd like to say there was some benefit. But I'd be lying to you and myself. What's the point?

Frankly, I think that if that came off as harsh, 1) It was NOT intended and if it was 2) It was a message to myself of what kind of a moron I am for doing this to myself (as I lit a cigarette).

[keropie]

No worries, no offense taken

[jeff]

By funny coincidence, I did a little research project on this once (don't get excited, purely undergraduate level, and nothing New or Important). Nicotine has a short-term stimulant effect, with increased blood pressure and pulse. I can barely remember the organic chemistry behind it.... This has a short duration, a quick spike followed by a depressive effect. Naturally, smokers reach for the next cigarette when the 'lift' wears off and the depressive effect sets in. That's longer duration. We measured BP, pulse and observed peripheral perfusion (blood flow to extremities) by photographing fingers with infra-red film. You can see the fingers get colder due to decreased blood flow. (that's why it's doubly dangerous for diabetics to smoke - a good way to need an amptuation)

It should be needless to say that cigarette smoking is terrible for your health and performance in both the short term and long term. If you smoke, stopping your smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. purpzeyFCLI, if you try to stop smoking, we're all on your side! And for those who don't smoke, don't start!

[secretly]

Originally Posted by ChubbyHubby

From what I've seen going to World Cup events with BooBoo, pretty much all the top fencers smoke. You just see them puffing away outside between rounds etc. I often say to her "want to get to the top, start smoking!".

Damn, I've quit smoking!

[Army Fencer]

Pharmacologically, nicotine is an interesting drug because it both relaxes and focuses the individual using the drug. As such, it is remarkably useful for fencing. On the other hand, it's also remarkably addictive (nicotine, that is).

From my experience, only a small number of elite American and international athletes use tobacco. I expected to see many more use when I first started fencing WCs, but it just hasn't been the case for Men's Epee.

[OROD]

Originally Posted by Mr Epee

The thicker skin comes in handy when dealing with uppity/smug/snide comments coming from self-righteous non-smokers.

In other news, Mr. Epee's smoking habit grows out of control. Film at 11.


.

[Feltan]

I started in the Army. I was in a forward aid station getting a tiny piece of shrapnel from an RPG pulled out of my shin...sans any pain killer. I was highly agitated, and called the physician's assistant who was performing the procedure just about everything from a "worthless motherfather" to a "mucking foron." Given the unit I was a part of, and the reputation we had, it occurred to me years later that those folks were probably pretty concerned I was about to reach for a side arm. Anyway, one of the male nurses put a Malboro in my mouth and lit it for me. That was over twenty years ago, and I still haven't put them down despite several attempts.

Regards,
Feltan

[latenight]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I can imagine! But then again there's no such thing as 2nd hand snusing.

and that's good, because I'd have to puke.

[nahouw]

Originally Posted by ChubbyHubby

From what I've seen going to World Cup events with BooBoo, pretty much all the top fencers smoke. You just see them puffing away outside between rounds etc. I often say to her "want to get to the top, start smoking!".

No doubt it is bad for you, but who knows how it calms your nerves etc to make you fence better?

I concur. Smokers include Golubitsky, Milanoli, Abajo, Magnan, Duplitzer, almost all the Russian female epeeists.

Coaches and Referees offer fencers cigarettes for the purpose of calming the nerves, especially after a bad bout.