Pre-game Meal

The pre-game meal should be eaten at least two hours before performance begins so that the major portion of the food has been emptied from the stomach. When vigorous exercise is performed while the stomach is distended by food, the inspiratory descent of the diaphragm may be impaired. This perhaps explains why a heavy meal seems to "cut the wind." It is conceivable also that a stomach distended by food may encroach upon the action of the heart during heavy exercise, especially restricting filling. The consequent restriction of blood flow through the heart would ultimately affect endurance. Exercise probably does not affect the rate of digestion unless the activity is associated with psychic stress.

The meal should consist mainly of carbohydrates, the remainder including a moderate quantity of protein (lean meat), and a very small amount of easily digested fat (butter). The items of food should not include those which have been observed by the athlete to lie gasforming or in any other way distressing. The food should be well prepared and attractively served. A half hour before tile performanee the athlete may enjoy a chocolate bar. At half time or between events he may refresh himself with a soft drink and another piece of candy. If a glucose preparation, honey, mr any other uncommon food is to be used at the time of competition, it should he first introduced during training as it may be found to cause nausea or other discomfort. It should be pointed out that any benefit resulting from the eating of candy or other carbohydrate preparations during a moderately short contest is probably entirely psychological, since the blood sugar level is already higher than normal.