Nutrition and Exercise Reccomendations, Past and Present

Nutrition and Exercise Reccomendations, Past and Present

Ancient Nutritionists

Frank Katch, William McArdle, Victor Katch and James Freeman did research in 1998 that suggested that the first nutritionists came out of the early Olympics between the years of 776 BC and 393 AD. During this period paidotribes, which were private trainers or coaches, advised their athletes about the importance of food and exercise. One of these early coaches was Melesias. Melesias was one of the most educated nutritionists in his era. He coached 30 wrestling champions (Wolinsky p.8).

They also reported that ancient scrolls and pictures showed that athletes followed plans of exercise, rest, massage, and diet for 10 consecutive months before their competition. The paidotribes would prescribe large amounts of food for boxers and wrestlers. Around 480 BC, Dromeus of Stymphalus, who was an Olympic champion in the long race twice, discovered a new diet of meat. Later, Herodicus of Selymbria modified this diet to change his own health.

Gardiner, an ancient Greek, spoke of the new diet:

The diet of the old athletes had been, like that of most Greek country folk, mainly vegetarian, consisting of figs, fresh cheese from the baskets, porridge, and meal cakes with only occasional meat as a relish, and wine. The frequently repeated statement that the athlete's diet was regulated by the law of the Games, and that he was not allowed to drink wine is entirely groundless. But shortly after the Persian Wars a change took place. A meat diet was introduced by some of the trainers.

The object of the meat diet was to produce the bulk and strength supposed to be necessary for the boxer and the wrestler. In Greece classification by weight was unknown, and in boxing and wrestling the heavyweight has the advantage. Therefore, to produce bulk, the trainer prescribed enormous quantities of meat, which had to be counteracted by excessive exercise. Eating, sleeping, and exercise occupied the athlete's whole time and left little leisure for other pursuits (Wolinsky p.8).

Nutrition in foods and beverages are still important for athletes and exercisers today. A few years ago body builders were the only people to take nutrition seriously (Bevereley 2000). John Anderson and Robert McMurray (1998) wrote that exercise and physical activity damage a person's muscles, tendons and ligaments. These tissues can be repaired quickly. Repair can take from a few minutes to few weeks. Good nutrition helps to aid in the repair of these tissues.