Athletic Sports (extract)

I'hysteal Characteristic!, oj the Athlete The most significant fact in connection with this diagram is that it shows, in cer­ tain directions, the uplifting of a class. The data collected are not sufficient to lead to any satisfactory conclusions as to the trustworthiness of the diagram here plot­ ted. The additionof a few more rowing men, or the subtraction of a few base-hall men, or, in fact, a change in the relative numbers of any of the so-called special­ ists, might have altered the result. The improvementof the physique and strength in certain directions is indicated by the strength-tests, and by the increase in weight, height, chest-girth, etc. How far this development can be attributed to ath­ letics, and how far to gymnastic training, remains an open question, as work on the water and in the field is supplemented by a few months' practice in the gymnasium. What the gymnasium is doing for the strength and vigor of the masses in some of our institutions of learning may be in­ ferred from a singleillustration taken from the records at Harvard University. In the year 1880, seven hundred and seventy-six men werephysically examined. The strongest man out of this number showed in strength of lungs, back, legs, chest, and arms, as indicated on the chart, 59