, 1935-01-02
Food Fads AidLittle
mAthlete, S Training
By DR. FlSHBEIN
Editor. Journal Of the American Medical Association
and of Hygeia. the Health Magazine

and Of Hygeia. the Health Magazine
We used to have a great many notions about the
kind and amount Of food athletes ought to eat
Certain foods. Tor instance, we're said to be good for
runners. and others we're said to be bad for the
wind.
With development OF our modern knowledge Of diet.
We realize that it is not possible to give a distance
runner endurance by any special food, or to make
a hammer-thrower or football player stronger than
he really is by feeding him raw meat.
All foods are made up Of proteins, Carbohydrates
fats, mineral salts and vitamins, and must be taken
in relationship to the various proportions of these
constituents. Liquids are necessary to life and have
to be taken by everyone to preserve health.
There are trainers who try to restrict the fluids
taken by athletes to the barest amount consistent
with living. and by such action seriously injure the
health Of those whom they would benefit. This
strange notion is particularly associated with the
boxing ring, and many a trainer has lost his boxer
a match because he did not allow sufficient liquids.
The best food is one which is easily digested. The
accumulation Of undigested material in the bowels Is
harmful to health and will interfere seriously with
any physical effort. Furthermore. accumulation Of
undigested material in the bowels results In diver
sion Of blood and the energy Of the body toward the
handling OF that food. when they may be required
elsewhere
III large amounts Of material IN the form OF food.
fluids, or gas collect in the stomach and ~intestines.
the diaphragm may be forced upwards, interfering
with breathing and with action Of the heart.
Because overlooking may harden the fibers of meat
and make it difficult to digest. some trainers have
gone to the opposite side and have fed raw meat,
which is just about as difficult to digest.
Furthermore. these things are not palatable.
There is little to be gained in aiding the digestion,
II YOU produce at the same time nsuseau and a dis
lurbsnce OF the mind.
The athlete should not be forced to cat beyond the
requirements of his natural appetite. regardless Of
the strange notion of some trainers that some peo-
pie should eat enormous quantities OF food and then
exercise to work the material into their bodies.
Strength cannot be automatically acquired from
food in this way.
The athlete requires protein for repair Of his It's
sue. Furthermore. proteins and fats will give energy
as well as carbohydrates. When it was found that
sugar is used by the body in muscular activities,
trainers began urging athletes to take sugar before
races.
The evidence as to the usefulness Of this method
l. not 50 well established as to make it worth adop-
ton.
Individual requirements for food must be taken in
to account in relationship to all training. In general.
athletes are urged to abstain from smoking and the
drinking Of alcoholic liquors.
Inc uses OF alcohol IN every day lie are sometimes
as a stimulant to the appetite. sometimes as a seda-
tive to overstrained nerves. The healthy athlete, with
the effects Of fresh air and exercise. does not re-
quire alcoholic assistance for his body activities.
The evidence as to the effect Of tobacco on the
respiration and on the heart Is sufficient to indicate
that 1t is certainly Of no special use TO the athlete.
Many famous athletes have smoked tobacco without
very seriously damaging their records. and in some
cases smoking has been usefu, in q~uieting over
strained nerves.
In general. however. it is no serious matter TO de-
prive a young athlete entirely OF tobacco.
Contract is really a fascinating game, and ! am
sure that If you found time to take II up YOU would
eventually derive tremendous enjoyment from it
p. Hal Sims, bridge expert, to Ely Culbertson, an
other.
You can't have two bosses in time Of var.-Col.
Charles +. Harris. director Of War Planning Divi-
sion, u. s. War Department.
I am gong on, and build and build. Just as fast as
/ can get the money-or borrow the money.-Charles
M. Schwab.