Impressions of Northern Athletes and Athletics

the case of a hard-trained athlete, a large quantity of nitrogenous food is advisable, his table being somewhat as follows:- Nitrogenous food, 10 parts. Non-nitrogenous food, 6 parts. Fats, 3 parts. Acids and salts, 1 part. Some articles of food actually contain all the above elements. Animal food is calculated to increase physical power, and should be taken by those who are exposed to arduous exertion. It is unnecessary in the early stages of life, but when maturity is attained, it is more suitable. In old age also a considerable amount of it is required to resuscitate vigour and renew exhausted tissues; and in all cases of enervation, physical weakness, and all indispositions arising from debility, fresh animal food is most appropriate. In hot climates, as well as from the constitutional heat of some persons, vegetables and fruit are required in the greatest proportion, because they contain less hydrogen and carbon than does meat. Moreover, they supply the blood with a large amount of water which exudes through the pores of the skin and leaves the body cool. But apart from this, man is an omnivorous animal, and is, therefore, naturally adapted to live upon a mixed diet of animal and vegetable food. The heavy-weight athlete is not restrained by any serious restrictions in regard to diet. Nevertheless, it is necessary to avoid laxity in this respect, because otherwise strength and energy would be, more or less, impaired. Dyspepsia or indigestion, constipation, etc., might also supervene, and the disadvantages of short-windedness, etc., would soon wreck all chances of success. Apart from these facts, it must be shown that although conspicuous bodily accretion or growth indicates increased strength, yet we must not be misled (as some have been) by the fallacy that the accumulation of fat means the same thing. The idea should be to nurture the muscular system as far as possible. When this is done, the chest should measure 12-18 inches more than the waist, according to the size of the man. The abdominal muscles should be out in high relief in rows, and, when properly trained, the athlete should be able to draw these in, and then simultaneously force out and contract one side of the abdomen, still retaining the other side in. Clearly the “round belly, silken lined” of Shakespeare’s day is no longer a thing to be proud of: it is a nuisance. When a decrease of weight is expedient, discrimination should show the course to be pursued. Fat-producing foods must be avoided. Exercise should be vigorous, so that copious perspiration is induced. The corpulent man must be abstemious, and should only partake of fruit,