Athletics (British Sports Library)

SPRINTING 39 There is another advantage of the style · under discussion, in that the in-turned hands swinging across the pit of the stomach soon develop the abdominal muscles, so that they are able to work with and contribute to the pull and thrust of the arms themselves. For a proper appreciation of how this method is carried out, the athlete should hold in his hands a length of wood just large enough to grasp with the ~uckles of the first fingers touching, and then run, work– ing his arms backwards and forwards across his body in time to the striding of his legs (Sketch 7). If he is observ– ant he will at once . see that this mode of progression involves a hitch– ing up of the shoulders at each swing of the arms, and thatthis adds greatly to the force propelling his body along. · This hitching up of the shoulders, combined with the loose swing of the arms, helps to lift up the feet and prevents them from hitting the surface of the track with that undue amount of force that so soon induces shin-soreness. A well-developed upper body above strong legs provides the sprinter's engines; his head is his steering gear, and should always be set straight for the tape. To turn the head aside or to fling it