Athletic Sports (extract)

Physical Characteristics cf the Athlete creased by rowing. The use of the slid- ing-seat brings more muscles into action : there is, in consequence, an increased de­ mand for oxygen, which necessitates a larger chest-cavity;and theeffort of nature, by aid of the muscles used in natural and forced respiration, is to producethis result. Nearly all the muscles of the chest, abdo­ men, and back assist respiration when the exercise is violent and prolonged. Considering that these accessory muscles are contracted and relaxed at least one thousand timesa day du­ ring a season of vigorous train­ ing, we ought to get some re­ sult in the shape of increased vol­ ume of muscle and enlarged chest-capacity. This would nat­ urally account for the increased girth of chest from rowing. Figure 15, b. (See description, page 89.)