Why? The Science of Athletics

22 WHY?-THE SCIENCE OF ATHLETICS increases the depth of tidal breathing and does various other things, it certainly raises the body temperature and serves the purpose already indicated. Again, this question of maintaining the body temperature at a high level sup– plies a very good reason why the athlete should keep his track bags and sweater on until the last moment and should always resume hjs outer garments when not actually in action. This is particularly important in the case · of field events men, who should never hang about between jumps, or throws, with only their shorts and singlets on. Directly an attempt has been made, or a turn taken, the track suit should be resumed and worn until the next turn comes round. Without going too deeply into the matter, it may be added that the oxygenation of the blood through the proGess of limbering-up has also something to do with mental or "nerve-impulse" alertness, since a n~rve breathes, like any other living thing, and therefore requires oxygen. We know that the oxygenation of the blood turns the harmful lactic acid in the blood-stream back into beneficial glycogen, and since the rise in temperature of perhaps a millionth of a degree, due to the passing Gf a nerve impulse, postulates a chemical change in the nerve in question which transmits a message, it may be that the "recovery" change that follows is also benefited by oxygen. Family and Medical History One important-' consideration in the conditioning of athletes is to be found in the family and medical history of each individual who is to be put into training. Especially is this the case in relation to schoolboy athletes. They come to one in all sorts of shape_s and sizes and from all classes of society, and if one can acquire a knowledge of their antecedents it is often a big help towards determining . the particular type of event to which they are most likely to be suited. I do not mean to suggest that because a boy's father has been a high jumper, the son must necessarily follow