PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3088, 9 January 1909, Page 3

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

(By R. 0. Jarrett, Physical Cultuvist)

THE ABUSE OF ATHLETICS

IS TRAINING INJURIOUS?

I-have often heard the opinion expressed that training for athletes is liable to shorten life; and in support of that contention, Uie names of famous athletes, champions, and others, are mentioned as having died at an early age from pneumonia, consumption, and heart trouble. Certainly, I have met many fine athletes in competition since 1837, a number of whom have died at an early age. Some have contracted and died from ailments above mentioned, but in most instances athletics and training were not responsible for their early demise. Competing in a half-trained state, training _ in haphazard style, and neglect in going I out of training have been responsible for the deaths of fine athletes. Whilst many others who have trained hard and consistently, denying themselves all luxuries, abstaining from all excesses, got themselves into a condition fit to run, wrestle, row, jump or fight for a kingdom; then, when the contest was decided have gone immediately out of training, suddenly, and have knocked themselves about, going in for all kinds of excesses. After living regular lives, up early in the mornings, early to bed, carefully dieting, abstaining from liquor, smoking, etc., they have then in- j dulged freely in what had for the time being been strictly forbidden, kept late hours, and generally neglected themselves. This has been the immediate cause of the death of many athletes, of my acquaintance during the last twenty-three years. To my mind it is of vital importance that we should be just as careful in going out of training as when preparing for the contest; or, in other words, train off as well as train on.

One might, by the same line of reasoning, claim, that training and participation in strenuous games and cntests is the cause of the longevity of such fine old athletes as Donald Dinnie, Jem Mace, Bill Sparkes, Green (the ex-champion sculler), Markall (round the world walker, who has walked over 80,000 miles since August 6th, 1900), Marquis Bibbers (the veteran swimmer), and many other old-time champions, j Dozens of them could be mentioned, did fpace permit. | 1 have in my mind's eye an athlete well known in New Zealand as a successful all-round competitor, who commenced at the age of 16 years, and continued for many years. Because consumption had been responsible for several deaths in his family, his friends used to advise him seriously to stop training, as his constitution could not stand it, etc., , and that sooner or later he would pay the penalty, notwithstanding the fact that he was never in better health than when in training. In a few months he will have tuwied his fortieth year, and doctors are agreed that he is not likely to fill a consumptive's grave. Surely he must have succumbed if training, were harmful. Of course, there are various methods of training, and it is questionable if some of those who have unfortunately j passed away did not materially hasten < their end by the unnatural way of dieting, etc. When we pause to : consider the enormous hold tuberculosis had on the cattle of the Do-' minion some years ago—and they are not yet entirely free—we cannot help making comparisons. We remember that athletes used to eat raw beef stake erroneously believing it would increase their strength; eat dry foods, such as dry toast without i butter, and all moisture dried out; drink little liquid, being limited to half a pint per day; wear heavy sweaters, taking off weight when, with many, they should have been increasing their weight and building up instead of sapping the<ir vitality.

Briefly, the above abuses .have had more to do with athletes' early deaths than legitimate and rational training. The downward path is always remarkably easy for the brilliant athlete. It is hail fellow well met! It is-scarcely fair or reasonable to blame athletics for training for the ill-health which, in the majority of instances, is caused by lack of moral fibre. True, we sometimes hear of the enlarged or athlete's heart. This again, I firmly believe to be caused more often than not by competing till exhausted in a half-trained condition, or not listening to nature's warningn. The heart is a muscle, or a series of muscles, and as we train the muscles of our limbs and body so ac the same time we train the muscles of the heart. It is an accepted fact in medical circles that easy light training will strengthen a weak heart, while excessive or heavy training will ruin it. The whole secret of success in athletic training, as in most other things worth striving for, is moderation and common sense.

Next Saturday I will deal with the abase of physical culture.