Impressions of Northern Athletes and Athletics

vegetables, chicken, lean meat, etc. All “modern” or “concentrated foods,” if tried at all, should be taken even cum grano salis (with a grain or two of salt). Needless to say, all foods must be thoroughly masticated, so as to facilitate assimilation and also to ensure the use of every particle of nutrition swallowed. Food should be taken regularly three times a day, when the appetite should be sufficient but not too keen. 7 FACTS THE ATHLETE SHOULD KNOW John O’Groat Journal , Friday 25 October 1912 Have at least eight hours’ sleep. Nine hours is not too long for juniors, or in fact for anybody who undergoes a good amount of physical exertion. Always sleep in a well-ventilated room. The question of having the window open at night is a controvertible one; but it must be remembered that the night air is more humid, chilly, and very penetrating. Miasmatic and malarial vapours rise to higher levels, and consequently attain greater distances. A sudden fall of temperature during the night is no unusual occurrence, but the sleeper is not protected against the rapid fall. He wakes stiff and uneasy. He has contracted a chill. And from chills there is a quick route to all serious ailments. Many colds and more serious indispositions will be avoided by keeping the feet perfectly dry. When not subjected to much manual work, take physical exercises night and morning for 15 minutes, followed by a cold sponge bath and then a brisk rub down with a coarse towel, or, better still, with friction gloves. This, at night, will dispel any indications of insomnia, and also prevent any fatty degeneration of the heart. Learn to contract the muscles when exercising, and to thoroughly relax at other times. A proper system of exercises ought to develop the muscles uniformly all over the body. It is a great mistake only to develop the muscles of the arms. As a matter of fact, nothing is more important than to have a good chest, which usually means good lungs and a sound heart. A Few Helpful Tips He who cycles much is liable to develop his biceps and the muscles of his knees out of proportion. How can he rectify this mistake? Let him turn with avidity to running and skipping. Fast walking, too, is very beneficial. The sprinting of short distances is an efficacious method of clearing and strengthening the lungs and improving the wind. Those who pursue sedentary