Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

THE STANDING LONG-JUMP 79 means, as mentioned previously, that in a jumper of 12 stone weight, some 831 ·6 foot-pounds have been overcome. It is not proposed to deal with the clothing or the foot-gear of the athlete here, but two matters which affect the long-jumper vitally must be men– tioned. The shoes should have only very short spikes, and the athlete must always wear a suspen– sory bandage, or "jockey strap." The landing is effected with the legs well apart, and if some support is not worn, the testicles are severely s'haken, and in course of t·ime varicocele may result. It should also be noted that the contents of the belly have a down– ward plunge as the athlete lands, and if the abdominal muscles are not well developed, there will be danger of rupture through the naturally weak spots of the abdominal walls. For the jumper's guidance it may be added that a deep breath should always be taken as the arms are swung back for the initial effort.