2014/03/a28b1_exercise_default

A diet to make you fat or fit? The role of ‘sumo stew’ in shaping a sumo wrestler

A recent study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Sport and Social Science, ‘Bodies steeped in stew: sport, tradition and the bodies of the sumo wrestler’ by R. Kenji Tierney (Anthropology Department, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA), explores the meanings of ‘fat’ and obesity in sumo and Japanese culture and the part that chanko, or ‘sumo stew’, plays in this.

A wrestler’s aim is to build strength and mass in their stomach, providing them with a lower centre of gravity which is needed to maintain stability in the ring. Yet bulk is not the only goal; a sumo wrestler must be strong, and flexible enough to do the splits.

Tierney argues that the weight of a sumo wrestler complicates the standard BMI calculations which consider anyone exceeding a body mass index of 30 to be inflicted with the ‘disease’ that is obesity. He puts forward the idea “that ‘obesity’ is both an occupational necessity and hazard and that the concept of ‘fat’ itself is a cultural construct rather than a scientific reality.” Sumo wrestlers have the most fat-free mass of all professional athletes, meaning that they have large body masses, without the fat. Sumo wrestlers build their bulk using strategic methods of eating rather than by eating fatty foods; chanko itself is generally nutritious and healthy. It is made up of a broth base with usually one type of protein added and a medley of vegetables, served over bowls of rice.

Wrestlers eat large quantities of nutritious chanko in short periods just twice a day, as this is argued to be the most efficient way for the body to absorb the required nutrients. So do we consider a 450 pound wrestler ‘fat’? Of course, they do have fat, but it is strategically produced through a nutritious diet. This type of fat cannot be measured against the forms of obesity that we see through poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

The way that a wrestler eats is also important, as a hesitant eater is judged as unfit to handle the art of wrestling. The wrestler is formed not only in the ring, but around the boiling chanko pot. Food is an integral part of the training and developing of a sumo wrestler.

“Ultimately, for the vast majority of wrestlers, sumo is not about the body that is produced, but the character of the man. Sumo will not be a career for the vast majority, but they defend their practices by asserting that the disciplines and attitudes learned in sumo prepare them for their ‘second careers’. In that, they are moulding character and creating social beings, rather than merely re-shaping bodies.”

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by here.
Fitness News — Sciencedaily
— Courtesy “Science News Daily” (ScienceNewsDaily.com) <p>

Pull Up is a well known compound exercise for training back. It mostly targets Latissimus Dorsi (Lats) but some other back muscles and biceps are also traini…

<p>


You May Also Like These Topics...
2 women playing soccer on green grass field during daytime

You Can Help Your Child Get More Exercise By Following These 5 Tips

Does your child get enough exercise? You can get your children more active with these 5 fun parenting tips.

man in black t-shirt and black shorts running on road during daytime

Better Health in Four Steps

In just four steps, you can improve your health for the better and this article will show you how. The steps below are bite-sized nuggets of health information you can actually use to live a healthy life. Here we go… Nutritional supplements are the first step As far as I’m concerned, they are very important […]

Top 4 Nutrition Predictions in the New Year

Several food and nutrition trends were in the spotlight this year, including the continued rise of plant-based diets, non-dairy ice creams and superfoods that are blasts from the past — legumes, apples and cabbage. It can be easy to experience nutrition whiplash in the New Year, but don’t be a victim. Get a jump-start on […]

Want to lose weight? Research proves a big breakfast is the first step

If you want to lose weight, you’re not alone. More than half of Americans desire to shed pounds, according to Gallup. This goal inspires people to take action in many ways, from increasing exercise to modifying meals. One thing many people do is skip breakfast in order to lower calorie intake. While this may seem […]

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Previous Post
rp_blog-fitnovatives-031914-1.jpg
Strength Training Yoga

6 Exercises to Improve Agility

Next Post
rp_image.JPG.pagespeed.ce_.gquXunhZQR.jpg
Health & Fitness

Mbjb Staff Get Free Health Checks, Talks And Tips

Comments

    • browneyedS
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    Could u add videos about v shaped back in a 8 minutes abs workout video way
    pls

    guys thumbs up so that they will see.

    • Adam Marsal
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    i really like your workouts (abs, chest) you should think of back workout..

    • Pavan singh
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    This is wrong..the pull up is not directly up..there is a angle when
    pulling up

    • Robert Perry
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    No pain no gain.

    • SacredS88
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    Would like you to add more vids for back excersise, but some i can do at
    home, like u did with the 8 min abs or 30 mins chest training.

    • JóH RédFíéld
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    and the breathing how is it????

    • raynaxcepedab
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    Find a fitness approach that you can personalize for your body kind and it
    will MELT POUNDS SOONER. The Muscle Maximizer is a regimen prepared by
    expert trainers to help guys just like you boost their workouts. Get rid of
    your fat, build SOLID MUSCLE and have the shape you have been dreaming
    about. Check out this internet site and discover just how to build a better
    physique: MuscleMaximizerWorkout.co­­m

    • milamartina845
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    Hi, have you considered ” BellyFATtack ” yet? Just have a look on Google.
    On there you will find a practical free video presentation by an
    established physician revealing the best way to lose excess weight. This
    made it possible for Toni to burn his tummy fat. I will probably give it a
    try. I hope it will work for you also…

    • Lauren Bacall
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    – WORKOUTMOTIVATION.info

    • MARVELMARK300
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    U wanna get big??? Wank more!!

    • Angelina McIntosh
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    should l tell you abs will help you get laid? check it by yourself,
    copy-paste this on the browserwindow. workoutmotivation.info

    • Alan Robbins
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    put the link below intoyour browser. the act of taking the first step is
    what separates winners from losers WORKoutmotivation.info

    • Fred Fonda
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    in less tan 30 seconds a women self consciously decides whether she will
    sleep with you or not. if your are fat, her mind automatically says no, if
    you are muscular the response is – probably wORKOUTmOTIVATION.INFo

    • Jennifer Hollows
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    get the domain below on your browser. being ripped is going to help you
    tremendously attract females workoutmotivation.info

    • Sara Donald
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    success must be felt within before it can be seen on the outside.paste this
    domain at your-browser workoutMotivation.infO

    • Imtiaz Cassim
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    Thanks

    • Sonia Gonzales
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    workoutmotivation.info

    • willieabickhamo
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    Lose body fat if you’re flabby. Gain SOLID MUSCLE if you’re flat and
    skinny. This pro exercising guidebook helps you personalize the most
    suitable diet program and training system to get strong FAST. The Muscle
    Maximizer explains everything at this website: MuscleMaximizerWorkout.co­­m

    • Ananta Shrestha
    • March 20, 2014
    Reply

    If you desire to build muscle, you should do a Google search “RushMax
    Muscle”. They will help you get the body you deserve.

Leave a Reply

0 Shares