Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT, IMPEDIMENTA 207 To the jumper especially they are indispensable. The leg and abdominal muscles rapidly tire with the exertion of jumping; the irritation set up by the rough surface of the gloves warms the limbs and invigorates the circulation, thus giving added power. 2. Spike-protectors.- These are sole-plates of wood with holes cut out for the spikes. It is important that the spikes should not get turned or blunted. These plates keep the spikes off the hard cement floors of the passages, and thus save them. 3. Corks.-Quite a number of athletes, through the strenuous nature of their efforts and the amount of nerve-force · expended, clutch their hands so that the nails pierce the palms. For such men it is necessary to have corks to hold in the hands; but if corks can be dispensed with by the jumper, it is better, as they are apt to induce him to clench the hands and set the arm muscles before the actual effort is needed. In competition so much depends on the athlete's equipment, especially the shoes, that he will do well to use both care and 9-iscretion in the selection of his " kit"; he must be particularly careful about the shoes, which should always be made for him. There is an old adage that " only the best give the best results," therefore the implements which the athlete uses in training and competition should be the best obtainable. The javelin-thrower should see that his javelin is well balanced, with the grip rightly placed to suit him ; the shaft should be fairly thick, not at all "whippy," and perfectly straight. The discus-thrower should have a discus shaped comfortably to his hand, and one which will fly with a good "scale."