Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

118 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS The body is greatly raised by means of the arms, first by a pull upwards and then by an upward thrust, as in b. Finally, there is the movement just after clearing the bar, and when the pole has been thrust back, as shown in c. The most important mechanical movement here is the raising of the body by means of the arms just 1. before cleanng the bar. Taking a man of about I I stone weight, the work would be approximately : · On pulling-raising body say 2 feet-300 foot-pounds. , thrust , , , I foot-rso , , Total. . 3 feet-450 , " Or a force equal to about three times his own weight. The athlete in training will do well to study harpmer– throwing, which will teach him perfect body control, and will also develop the pulling muscles, which are so necessary to him. Shot-putting, if practised with · either hand alternately, will be found to benefit him considerably. These extra events are also helpful in breaking the monotony of training. It will be a great thing for the pole-jumper to prac– tise all sorts of arm balances in the gymna?ium, by means of the bars, rings, etc., and also, if possible, on a pole fixed at varying angles. As was pointed out at the beginning of this chapter, the athlete taking up this branch of athletics must have any amount of grit and pluck. He must also be blessed with a dogged determination to persevere, for it is not a game that can be mastered in five– and-twenty minutes. Particularly difficult will the novice find it to slide the bottom hand up the pole