Athletic Training

CHAPTER XIX THE ATHLETIC HEART ALTHbUGH we hear less about it now than we once did, nearly every athlete will be told at one time or another that participa– tion in athletics is likely to shorten his life– that it will give him the "athletic heart." By this is meant that such exercises as run– ning, jumping, and rowing will increase the size of the heart to such an extent that it will be a menace to the health in after life. This is a belief held by a good many well– meaning persons, and I wish to discuss it in an unprejudiced manner. Of course there are some boys and young men with physical defects who ought never to take part in vigorous athletics. The ad– vice of a competent physician should always be secured in such cases. .But if a boy is physically sound he has nothing to fear, but 149