Why? The Science of Athletics

. 351) WHY!-THE SCIENCE OF ATHLETICS The food consumption of the Dart– Food Consump- mouth team in 1924 is interesting, in rela– tion and Loss tion to their matches with Harvard, BrQwn of Appetite and Cornell Universities, the figures being as follows :- FooD CoNSUMED BY ELEVEN PLAYERS ON ONE DAY. Oct. rst 36,460 calories. Average per man 3,315 calories. Oct. 15th 40,595 , , , 3,69o , Nov. 12th 38,595 , , , 3,418 , Since the loss of appetite and a drop in food consu.mp– tion are sure signs of fatigue, Hillman, after th~ Harvard ,game, gave his men more rest and less work to get them into shape for the Brown game; after meeting Brown they were given a four days' rest, and most of them regained weight and appetite and remained in good condition for the meeting with Cornell, when the nervous strain again reduced weight and food consumption slightly. I have quoted this case at some length, as it should prove illuminating to some English coaches, as to the care and forethought the Americans take in the preparation of their athletes and games teams. Sleep has been often mentioned in these Importance of pages already, and it is mentioned again, Quiet Sleep because it is a sure guide to the coach as to the mental well-being of his athletes in training. Sleep, in itself, still provides a baffling problem, and _no satisfactory explanation of sleep has yet been furnished by science. The main point upon which physiologists are in agreement is that the blood-supply to the brain is checked and that some mysterious diminution of oxygen lowers the vitality of our organs of consciousness. The brain-life seems to be entirely suspended at the end of the first hour of slumber, which is therefore the most beneficial part of our night's rest, during which the blood feeds and