[Fluffy]

Last week I played the NEC cup, but befre that, I spent a whole week skiing.

I am normally in very bad condition, sitting on my computer too many hours and doing no excercise at all. The skiing week was very tough for me at the start, but at the end I was in much better shape/physical condition.

My (maybe biased) impression during the NEC was that I had more stamina than before, and most important I had a more clear mind, I could foresee endings from the first trick (wich I am normally not able), to put it in chess terms, if I was able to play chess calculating the next 4 movements normally, it was like if I was able to calculate 5 now.

I have heard some people about this in the past, but I wonder if there are any real studies on this matter because maybe I should invest some more time on the gym before tourneys.

[pooltuna]

hopefully practice on the ski jump helped you learn how to land better at the bridge table

[helene_t]

I have seen something about experiments with students asked to exercise (or not) before some psychological tests, but haven't hears about this kind of research specifically about bridge.

[Fluffy]

not specifically about bridge, but about chess for example would be as good.

[rogerclee]

[aguahombre]

do you need four skis, or just two?

[Rossoneri]

I used to remember reading that the Soviet grandmasters took walks at the very least to maintain a certain level of physical fitness.

[MFA]

I'm a big believer in the effect of good physical fitness.

When Iceland won the Bermuda Bowl the team was on an extensive mountain trek during the weeks before the tournament. Maybe that helped them by improving their stamina.

I think I can feel the effect myself too.

[fred]

About a year ago I noticed that my stamina when I was played "serious bridge" was rather pathetic. I attributed this partly to not playing anywhere near as often as I once did, but I also suspected that the combination of smoking and not doing any exercise for 20+ years was likely a factor.

So I started going to the gym regularly and this made it easier for me to want to quit smoking. It also made it easier for me to meet girls (just kidding Sheri). My bridge stamina definitely improved significantly, but I am not sure how much of that was in my head.

My sense is that physical fitness is a lot less relevant in terms of bridge performance for those who play bridge more or less full time.

So Fluffy, your bridge and fitness experiences are similar to mine, but our skiing and fitness experiences have been quite different. When I was a teenager I was a serious competitive skier, but when I started to play bridge I stopped skiing. A few years ago I started skiing again and I was shocked (because I was so out of shape) at how easy it was! I think this was at least partly because the technology of skis has apparently changed dramatically over the years. Maybe you were using "old skis"?

I am going on a ski vacation next week. Looking forward to that

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

[jdonn]

I've often wondered why more attention isn't paid to this. Even good bridge players often regard "I didn't gorge myself on the dinner break and I slept in" as good enough physical preparation. Why wouldn't a serious player want every advantage he can get, especially when it's a very good thing to do anyway?

The Meckwell reference is funny. In his book Meckstroth talks about not tiring yourself out hunting for every overtrick in a very long match or tournament in order to avoid fatigue near the end. To me that just means he is not (quite) maximizing his (huge) abilities.

[hanp]

<Space reserved for pictures of Bauke Muller, Berry Westra, Enri Leufkens and Bas Drijver.>

[dicklont]

hanp, on Feb 19 2010, 10:16 AM, said:

<Space reserved for pictures of Bauke Muller, Berry Westra, Enri Leufkens and Bas Drijver.>

<reply showing Bakkeren - Bertens>

[Fluffy]

being fat and being on good form are different issues, I look a bit fat the same as I was 2 weeks ago, but now I could run 1 km easilly, but before 200 metres at most.

[hanp]

Hamman is secretly a marathon runner.

[akhare]

Heh, heh, reminds me of the time I played the district GNP qualifier finals right after running a full marathon (no, I am dead serious).

Since I had to rush from the finish line to the table, there was no time to shower in between (yes, no kidding again). To this day, I wonder how much that extra "edge" contributed to our win ...

[kenberg]

Some things strike me as simple: Eating right and getting some exercise (and for God's sake Fred I hope you quit smoking) can hardly be a bad idea. For me, I think staying in decent shape helps me with just about everything. For example, I sleep better when I visit the gym regularly (something I am not currently doing). I would imagine that improves my bridge. And my life. I imagine that this exeercise/sleep connection is more pronounced as we age.

I learned how to ski as an adult and I never learned to do it very well, but I find it very very enjoyable. But to me, perhaps because of my limited skill, I put skiing in the category of sports where you need to be in decent shape to do it or you are risking serious injury, but the actual descent of the hill has only limited restorative effects. Better than watching tv with a beer in your hand no doubt, but cross-country seems the way to go to build up some endurance. Also very enjoyable.

I also would be interested in studies to see the effects of exercise on bridge. But it is one of those things where if no relationship was found I would strongly suspect that there was something wrong with the study. Yes, I know. I try not to let facts get in the way of a good opinion.

[pooltuna]

fred, on Feb 18 2010, 08:00 PM, said:

About a year ago I noticed that my stamina when I was played "serious bridge" was rather pathetic. I attributed this partly to not playing anywhere near as often as I once did, but I also suspected that the combination of smoking and not doing any exercise for 20+ years was likely a factor.

So I started going to the gym regularly and this made it easier for me to want to quit smoking. It also made it easier for me to meet girls (just kidding Sheri). My bridge stamina definitely improved significantly, but I am not sure how much of that was in my head.

My sense is that physical fitness is a lot less relevant in terms of bridge performance for those who play bridge more or less full time.

So Fluffy, your bridge and fitness experiences are similar to mine, but our skiing and fitness experiences have been quite different. When I was a teenager I was a serious competitive skier, but when I started to play bridge I stopped skiing. A few years ago I started skiing again and I was shocked (because I was so out of shape) at how easy it was! I think this was at least partly because the technology of skis has apparently changed dramatically over the years. Maybe you were using "old skis"?

I am going on a ski vacation next week. Looking forward to that

Fred Gitelman
Bridge Base Inc.
www.bridgebase.com

somehow the old Broadway cliche for "good luck with that" seems inappropriate

[kfay]

I think I read somewhere that the Dallas Aces actually were required to have an exercise regimen as part of their team deal, under the theory that it would give them better stamina.

Anyway, I think I'm in pretty good shape and I'm the best there is... coincidence?

[DJNeill]

Hi all,
For me I downsized myself a few years ago and it didn't affect my bridge one way or another, to my eyes, in any direct respect. Maybe a change in appearance of any kind has an effect on the other 3 people at the table though.

Thanks,
Dan

[aguahombre]

Ask the female poker players whether those who are in good shape use that as an edge against the other players at the table. It might not affect their game, but it can certainly affect the game