Why? The Science of Athletics

SKILL AND PHYSICAL CLEVERNESS 207 In addition, athletes projecting missiles have such things to consider as acceleration during delivery, angles of departure and also the behaviour of missiles in flight, as they may be affected by contributory causes; and, again, high jumpers and pole vaulters must know the high-point of their centre of gravity in relation to the position of the bar and the latter have also the question of maximum foot elevation and the timing of the turning movement to take into account. . And, again, it is equally necessary that the long jumper should know what must be the high point in the parabola of his flight through the air ; while the hop, step and jumper can add feet to his total effort if he will learn to balance properly the proportions of the three phases of his triple effort. The mathematics and dynamics of athletics are, however, touched upon but lightly in the present chapter, since I regard that subject as one which is well worthy of a chapter of its own.