Physiological economy in nutrition, with special reference to the minimal proteid requirement of the healthy man: an experimental studyChittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry)
Science
Physiological economy in nutrition, with special reference to the minimal proteid requirement of the healthy man: an experimental study
Chittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry)
Metabolism; Nutrition
The exercises were progressive as to duration, force, extent,
and number of movements. At the end of the six months the
men were being put through gymnastics that were exacting and
fatiguing. As the progression was carefully made, the men
did not suffer from soreness to any marked degree. By way of
comparison it may be said, the gymnastic training given the
soldiers was much more severe than is given to the Freshmen of
Yale in their required physical training. Perhaps the Varsity
Crew are “put through” as rigid gymnastic training as any of
the athletes in college, so we copied the exercises taken by
oarsmen in order to “try out” the soldiers. This work was
easily taken by all the “Dieters,”—no complaint, so far as I
know, having been entered.
The improvement in accuracy and grace of movement has been
noticeable, while there has been a gain in skill as well.
I do not consider these men, as a body, well put up. They did
not rank favorably with applicants for policeman or fireman
and were noticeably timid in exercises that called for
courage. In the vault over a fence there was a very marked
fear. This was the poorest and least satisfactory test of all
we made. At the end of the six months the hesitancy to vault
had entirely disappeared, the event being looked upon by the
men as a “cinch.”
The gain in self-reliance and courage has been as evident as
the increase in the figures of the strength test. I consider
this a valuable acquisition as it stands for a good body
condition. Among athletes, especially gymnasts, a weakened or
tired body is made known by fear or uncertainty. Our students,
as well as professional athletes, admit this.
I attribute the timidity of the soldiers in these seemingly
simple tests to their general physical condition at the outset,
and the increase in self-reliance to the better condition of
their bodies at the end of the six months’ training. The story
told by the measurements is both interesting and significant,
but of less importance than the ability to improve under
training, which ability cannot be measured with a tape or
weighed with scales.
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