Athletic Sports (extract)

Physical Characteristicsof the Athiete The physical proportions of the two wrestlers, Figs. 12 and 13 (page 83), as shown by the tracings in Chart VI. (page 86), are distinguished from those just described in proportional shortness of stat­ ure and in great volume of muscle. In one case the lengths of the arms andlegs are very short for the length of the body. In both cases the depth of chestand abdo­ men is proportionatelysmall, but thewidth of the waist corresponds more nearly to the other measurements. In the chart- tracings of Fig. 12 we have the nearest approach to symmetry in the girth of body and limbs that has thus far been recorded. The group of tracings in Chart VII. (page 102), representing Figs. 14, 15, and 16, a,b y c (pages 88—99), are in some respects : unique. Here we have for the first time some approach to symmetry in the relativeheights of different parts of the body. There isno marked divergence in the points indicating the relative length of trunk and lower limbs. In two cases none of the measurements fall below the normal or fifty per cent line, and in one case only thirty per cent of them fall be­ low the eighty per cent line. In Fig. 14 the line of symmetry is very nearly ap­ proached in the chest, waist, hips, thighs, 92