BaCoN Bites

Dear BaCoN enthusiast…

Have you ever dreamed of being a published writer? Interested in science? Want to flaunt your enormous brain all around college? Look no further. BaCoN is for you. All you need to do is email us at

baconmagazine@wellingtoncollege.org.uk.

And we will tell you the theme for the magazine. Then, you can write to your heart’s content.

Altitude Training

Altitude training is depriving your body from oxygen whilst doing a physical activity - usually running or cycling. At hl et e s us e alt it ud e t ra in ing t o increase t heir chances of winning during their sporting event. But what does altitude training do? Altitude training increases your red blood cell production in your body. This means that they can carry more oxygen around to the working muscles. Along with this, it can also improve your maximal oxygen intake, also known as VO₂ max (VO₂ is the maximum rate of oxygen your body is able to use during exercise). So how does this help with sports? Increasing your red blood cell production, and oxygen intake, can increase the available energy for the working muscles. This, therefore, helps maximize t he performance of the muscles, making them tire and fatigue less easily.

Photo: Usain Bolt

Fast-twitch Muscles

- Josh (Bn)

Is it possible to train fast twitch muscles? To understand whether it is possible to train fast twitch muscles we must first understand what they are. Muscles are made of fibres. Fibres can be separated into two categories - slow (type 1) and fast (type 2) twitch. The word ‘twitch’ simply refers to the number of contractions a muscle does during activity. Fast twitch muscles can generate a much larger and quicker force comparatively – while having relatively low stamina due to high inefficiency. Certain exercises train specific muscles or muscle groups - for an athlete who wants explosiveness, they can use box jumps, kettle bells swings and squat jumps. However, certain individuals have a variation in the ACTN3 gene. The most explosive athletes have this genetic variation, giving it the name ‘the gene for speed’.

- Casi (Bn)

Top 5 “Unbreakable” Records

by Jacob (S)

Michael Phelps taking home 8 Gold medals in the 2008 Olympics

Michael won gold in the following swimming races: · 400 m medley · 200 m freestyle · 100m butterfly · 200m butterfly · 200m medley · 4x100m freestyle · 4x200m freestyle · 4x100m medley

Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game (basketball)

On March the 2nd, 1962 Wilt claimed this immense record after scoring 100 points during a win over the New York Knicks, playing for the Philadelphia Warriors. The next best to this record is Kobe who scored 81 points in 2006. This record is set to stand for a very, very long time.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Losing Streak

The 1976-77 season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was not their most fruitful. When the season came to a finish their record wasn’t looking too impressive with 26 losses, 2 wins and no draws. The second closest to this impressive run was the Detroit lions in 2008/9 with a staggering 19 consecutive losses.

Byron Nelsons’ Single-Season PGA Tour Wins

In the dark ages back in 1945, Byron Nelson won 18 of the 35 PGA tour events, including a stretch of 11 consecutive wins. These records stand to this day and experts have little to no faith that anyone will beat this.

Secretariat’s 31 Length Victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes

“Big Red” entered the starting gates at Belmont Park on June 9, 1973, alongside four other horses adjacent to him, however they were not this close at the final as Secretariat finished 31 lengths ahead of his closest competitor, a record topping the previous one of 25 lengths. In this flurry of success another record was set- the fastest mile and a half on dirt, with a time of 2:24.