Why? The Science of Athletics

ATHLETIC PSYCHOLOGY 357 and the eleven men in the squad showed a total weight of 2003 lbs. at the beginning of the period ; by October the total weight of the team had increased only 4 lbs., and on November Igth they weighed 200I lbs. It is a won– derful tribute to Hillman's training system that he kept those eleven men at virtually the same weight right through the season. · The average weight per man was I82 lbs., and the average age 2I years. Hillman kept carefully prepared weight charts. If he found that a man was gaining a little or holding his weight at normal he would work him. If a man lost weight and did not pick it up next day he would rest him. He is responsible, also, for the axiom that a man should not be worked on Monday after a hard contest on Saturday, nor when his weight is low, his appetite poor, or he is not sleeping well, otherwise you can easily ruin either an individual or a team in training. Hillman's figures show, further, that four men gained 22lbs., an average per man of4 I /3 lbs; four lost 25lbs., an average of 6 I/4lbs. per man; but only one man finished the season weighing the same amount as at the commence– ment of training. It was also the principle of this authority Rest that the team, to enable them to go success- fully through a full season, should have rest periods added to the daily routine of training. These were 30 rrtins. before lunch, and 30 mins. before supper. There were cots provided in the gymnasium, and after the men had worked out and had a shower they got to their cots and relaxed completely for half an hour, after which they assimilated their food a lot more easily. The principle should be the same for athletes in training. After a man has had a gruelling contest, or his coach has asked him to punish himself in training, he has not much fancy for a hearty meal ; but if you send him to rest and relax fully for 20 or 30 minutes, he will be ready to tackle his food and to enjoy it.