Why? The Science of Athletics

I 02 WHY?-THE SCIENCE OF ATHLETICS required, as the sugar actually in the blood is soon ex– hausted in such circumstances. Here I must pause for a moment to point out that "glucose" is a generic term which leaves room for some misunderstanding, because it covers glucose in both the liquid and the powdered form, and whereas glucose is dextrose, the liquid form is only partly converted starch and is, in fact, ignoring its water content, about so% dextrose and so% dextrine. It is dextrose, i.e. powdered glucose, which places no tax upon the digestive system. There are many brands of glucose on the market and among the best of them is the brand known as "Dextrosol", prepared by Messrs. Corn Products, Ltd., London, and sold through the chemists at I/6d. per lb., which is the lowest price for the B.P. standard quality of dextrose. Glucose is absorbed directly from the stomach without digestion within a few minutes of having been taken, thus raising the blood sugar ; but if not used, it is stored away in the form of glycogen which can be called upon when required. As powdered glucose requires no digestion it is possible to take violent exercise soon after a meal of it, as it does not call for activity on the part of our digestive apparatus. Further, there are no waste products to be disposed of, as glucose is completely absorbed as · such and no strain is imposed upon the organs of excretion. Even when no muscular activity takes ·place, cases occur of low blood sugar in which the symptoms are weakness and a tendency to become tired . Low blood sugar has even been known to cause convulsions. It is possible that fatigue from exertion is due, in part, to low blood ·sugar. There are, therefore, two main uses of glucose in training for athletic competition : (I) The immediate effect of raising the blood sugar. This effect is achieved by taking powdered glucose; for instance in the form of Dextrosol, shortly before a com– petition. (2) The use of glucose in training. It may -be used in this connection to build up an adequate reserve of glycogen