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.