The Physical Condition of the Subjects.
Having considered the marked decline in the extent of proteid metabolism which these subjects have exhibited for a period of five months, and having shown the possibility of their maintaining body-weight and nitrogen equilibrium on a low proteid intake, coupled with a relatively small amount (low fuel value) of non-nitrogenous food, it is appropriate to consider next their physical condition under this changed mode of living. So much has been written upon the necessity of a rich proteid diet, with a corresponding rate of proteid metabolism, for the maintenance of bodily strength and vigor, that it becomes a question of vital importance to obtain data bearing upon the effect of a lowered proteid intake upon bodily strength. If, as is so widely believed, diminishing the daily proportion of proteid food below the standards set by Voit and other physiologists will result in a weakening of the muscles of the body, in decreasing the strength, vigor, and endurance of the individual, then obviously physiological economy in this direction would in the long run be uneconomical, and indeed injurious. The maintenance of body-weight and of nitrogen equilibrium on a small amount of proteid food would count for little, when compared with a gradual loss of bodily strength and vigor.
It was truly a great surprise when the systematic strength tests applied month after month to the soldiers indicated a marked gain in muscular power, which seemingly increased as the rate of proteid metabolism diminished, coincident with the decrease in the amount of proteid food fed. The dynamometer tests were applied primarily to make sure there was no falling off in strength, and when the marked gains already referred to were recorded, it was thought at first that they must be the result mainly of the systematic training the soldiers were undergoing in the gymnasium. Undoubtedly, this daily training, with the more regular and systematic methods of living, did contribute in some measure to the beneficial results obtained, but as the improvement and general gain in strength became more and more apparent, it was equally clear there were other factors involved than mere training.
The opportunity presented by the present subjects therefore was particularly desirable. These men had been in training for many months, some of them for several years, and naturally had acquired a high degree of proficiency in all kinds of athletic work, in the handling of themselves and in the handling of the apparatus, by use of which the strength tests are made.
The tests, etc., were applied exactly in the same manner as in the case of the soldier detail, description of which will be found on [pages 259 and 260].
The following tables give the results of the tests—made at the Yale Gymnasium, and reported by Dr. Anderson—from January to June, for the eight men. It will be noted, however, that the record of Mr. Bellis is incomplete. This was owing to an injury to his hand, which prevented his working with the apparatus during the months of May and June.
The results presented by these tables are very important and suggestive. Every man, without exception, showed a decided improvement in his muscular power as measured by the strength tests. With many of the men the gain was progressive, with others there was noticeable—as in the case of W. L. Anderson and G. W. Anderson in the March test—a drop in some one test. This could generally be explained by some temporary cause. Thus, the March test taken by W. L. Anderson was at a time when he was under great strain in connection with an intercollegiate meet, etc. However, it is clear from the figures presented that all these men, though living on a greatly reduced amount of proteid food, and with certainly no increase in the quantity of non-nitrogenous food, showed at the end of the experiment a decided gain in muscular power. Note for example the great gain in strength shown by Schenker; in January his dynamometer tests, etc., indicated a total of 5728, while at the close of the experiment in June his record was 7135. Again, Bellis increased from 5993 to 8165, and W. L. Anderson from 6016 to 9472. Further, the men all agree in the good effect the changed conditions have had upon them, and they have, without exception, been able to do their athletic work and maintain their athletic supremacy.