Why? The Science of Athletics

CHAPTER VII HUMAN MECHANISM (CONTINUED) Nerves-Effect of General Training-Nervous System Divided-Central System-Sympathetic System___:_Human Telegraph-Nerves and Heart-Training of Mind and Body. IN Chapter One, under th€ heading of "Correlation of Body and Brain," we have already learned something about the human nervous system; and before we go bacK. to the consideration of that matter in _greater detail I would like to say something about the effect of general training in this connection. Our previous explorations into the Gener:al Train- realms of athletic science have shown us ing and its that the fundamental principle of what -is Effects upon known as "athletic training" is the propor- thr; Human tionate development of the physical faculties .Nervous and the improvement, "Qy a building up System process, of the entire body to withstand strain. We have seen, also, that a period of ?"eneral-conditioning should precede any form of special– Ized training. :r'he general training should be designed f~r a twofotd purpose: (a) _ to strengthen the body suffi– Ciently to enable it to withstand athletic strain,_and (b) for the creation of a reserve store of nervous -energy as an asset for, and a safeguard in, the contest fDr -which training has been undertaken. _The second clause just quoted is the more important, not only for the pp.rposes of the present argument, but in " rdation to athletics as a whole. _ This is so because the most naturally gifted athlete in the world, even though he possess a perfect muscular development, can never do Ill