In Shape for the Marathon

Irregular schedules, constant travel across time zones and other forms of stress have been known to lower the defenses of the body's immune system against bacteria and viruses. What is more, says Psychiatrist Charles F. Stroebel, director of Connecticut's Institute for Advanced Studies in Behavioral Medicine, the Democratic candidates, pushed to their limits for months, could experience "significant emotional and physical problems with the letdown after the campaign." This "after-the-battle phenomenon," as Stroebel calls it, "has been widely observed in terms of how stress makes us sick." But politicians are tough, and the current crop of presidential candidates are no exception. "These people are self-selected," Stroebel ventures. "The ones who are not strong enough have already disappeared or never got into the race."

All three Democratic candidates, as well as the President they seek to oust, are healthy for men their age. None smoke cigarettes. None are overweight, although the campaign prevents them from getting their normal exercise. Of the four, Mondale has the highest (but still normal) blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The former Vice President has had hypertension (high blood pressure); he takes several medicines (Dyazide, hydralazine and, lately, atenolol) to control it. Hart had a benign nodule on his thyroid gland removed in 1972, and takes Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone, to forestall any new growths. Apparently neither candidate suffers any side effects from the daily drugs. Jackson has degenerative-disc problems, which cause lower back pain. Reagan (ailments: hearing loss, allergies) takes only vitamins every day.