Athletic Sports (extract)

Physical Characteristicsof the Athlete muscle measurements are large for tne age, and consequently threaten to exceed the vital resources. The showing of muscular strength, sofar as the tests could be taken, is excellent. The striking characteristicsof the three figures are the long body, short thigh, large bones, full chest, short upper arm, good lung-capacity, and line muscular de­ velopment throughout the whole physique. What better illustration could be furnished of the perfect harmony between the form of the muscles and the character of their functions ? Here we findthe large trans­ verse development of arms and thighs, in­ dicating great strength and short range of action ; and the expansive chest and long body, indicating great vital power and ex­ tensive range of muscle-movement. Let us consider, briefly, the branches of athletics which these three men represent, and see the connection between their pe­ culiar development andthe sports they are FIGURE 12. — G , Harvard, '88; age, 22 years, 10 months; weight, 169 lbs.; height, 5 feet, 7.7inches. Has the Harvard leg and back lift records of 520 kilos (1146.6 pounds) forthe legs, and 370 kilos (815.8 pounds) for the back; he is a hammer- thrower and broad-jumper, and has had four years' general exer­ cise in gymnasium and ^ield sports ; is third strongest man at Harvard, having atotal strength record of 1139.7. FIGURE 13. — H , Harvard, '88; age, 19 years, 10 months; weight, 150 lbs.; height, 5 feet, 4.3 inches. Is the typeof a mid­ dle-weight wrestler, had three years' practice in general athletics, has a total strengthof 1060.3. 85