Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

62 SUCCESS IN~:ATHLETICS long-legged men excel in these events, and it may be added that the long legs in question are, as a rule, thin, but very muscular. Most of the preliminary training for the standing jumper can be, and indeed usually is, done in the gymnasium during the winter months. The gym– nasium training should be made as strenuous and complete as possible, for on the general suppleness of the body depends the result of the athlete's preparation. The exercises at the end of this book are strongly recommended to the standing jumper, as they are Diagram 10. particularly calculated to build up the leg muscles which are brought into play, and to develop the feet so that the ankle movements may be properly carried out. The abdominal muscles, which play such a gr_eat part in swinging the legs through from one position to another, cannot be better developed than by fol– lowing the exercises set out in Lieutenant MUller's book, " My System." A certain amount of track work should also be done, sprinting at short distances being particularly beneficial. Shot-putting with either hand is also good, and builds up the springing muscles, as does javelin throwing, which combines both a sprint (which de-