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Show PHYSICAL FITNES By Bill Toomey, Executive Director, AAU-Penn Mutual Masters Sports ATHLETES DIGEST BEST Exercise gets more than just muscles in shape. It's good for your stomach, too. Marathon runners, for example, ex-ample, digest food in half or even a quarter the time it might take the average person. Scientists feel that is the result of increased circula-1 circula-1 1 1 "" ''"l tion. When you exercise you improve blood flow to every organ in your A body so those people who Toomey stay in shape usually have healthier stomachs, as well as stronger hearts. That's why we urge1 men and women to participate partici-pate in a local Masters Sports program. When is the best time to eat if you plan to exercise? About three hours prior to exercising. Steer away from proteins and fats. Carbohydrates Carbohy-drates and starches are easier to digest and provide a source of energy that's more immediate. Sugar? Be careful. It can leave you weak after a short while. Eat fruit instead. Liquids are as important before be-fore exercising as after. So on days you plan to exercise, exer-cise, be sure to get plenty of liquids. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports reports that losing los-ing as little as three percent of your body weight in fluids can interfere with muscle contractions. "For information on Masters Sports programs in your community, write: AAU-Penn Mutual Masters Sports, P.O. Box 1982, Philadelphia, Phil-adelphia, PA 19107. |