Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

6 SUCCESS IN ATHLETICS frequent variations within the range of the normal. Typical variations of knees are shown in diagrams 2, 3, and 4. a Diagram 1. b In a well-formed adult, when the heels are placed together with the feet at an angle of 45°, the knees should not touch one another; daylight should be seen between these JOmts. Many athletes who do not rise above mediocrity show this defect when placed in the position indicated. In .the female, however, it is natural that the thighs and knees take up the position shown in .diagram 5. This is due· to the wider hips or lower · girdle of the trunk and the attachment of the lower limbs. When, how– ever, the male loses the mascu– line contour of his lower limbs and the formation of these approxi- Diagram Diagram 2. 3· mates to that of the female figure, no wonder he Is decried as " an old woman " at sport. I~ The foot is a great factor in pedestrian'– ism, and is obviously the most important factor in all branches of athletics. The thigh and leg, joined at the knee, are set in such a way that a slightly obtuse angle is formed on the outer side of the limb; but when Diagram 4 . the foot is flattened, this angle is made less obtuse. It will be understood that when this happens a strain is placed upon the knee-joint, and a stretching or overstrain is placed upon the inner supports of the joint.