STRAIN OF ATHLETICS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5297, 9 July 1928, Page 3

STRAIN OF ATHLETICS.

EFFECT ON ARTERIES.

POPULAR MYTH EXPLORED. x

A remarkable operation to test the effect of athletics on the arteries was described by Dr. Adolphe Abrahams, of Westminster Hospital, in a lecture :a,t the Royal College of Surgeons. It had been alleged, he said, that prolonged and strenuous athletics led to a deterioration of the arteries. Dr. Abrahujms continued: “I determined to have an artery removed. The operation was performed, and the specialist who carried it out told me that after 27 years of athetics and hard., exercise- my artery was. as good as that of a young man, of 26 who had! never undertaken any hard exercise.” Dr. Abrahams criticised the practice of hoding the Olympic Games during the hottest months 'of the year, involving long-distance running and prolonged effort. „ Temperatures of athletes under prolonged exertion often, rose abnormally, and the danger from this in hot .weather w'as obvious. “I have repeatedly warned the authorities of the very grave risks, but nothing has been done,” .Dr. Abrahams .said. “When the Games were held at Stockholm a fatality; there was due to heat.”

He objected to the tendency to attribute deathes duping athletic efforts to heart failure. All the great heart •specialists had pointed out that a healthy heart could stand almost any strain.

The cause of these fatal collapses was net heart trouble, but generaj condition over the whole body.