Why? The Science of Athletics

.296 WHY?-THE SCIENCE OF ATHLETICS average speed developed by the sprinter in the first _twenty feet of his race is approximately only one-third Physical Aspects of Overcoming Inertia of the maximum speed he generates sub– sequently, and is in accordance with Newton's impulse law, Ft = MV. Thus, the force of the push times the time that it acts equals the momentum of the body. It follows, therefore, that the greater the force applied the quicker will be the acceleration of the body from rest. Now let us see how all this affects leverage and the generation of force. Obviously, a strong drive forward of the right arm must increase the push-off power of the DIAGRAM B right leg and also the forward pull of the body to maintain the correct angle of departure. Again we can refer to Newton, for his law that "to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" must be applicable. The forward pull of the body is taken care of by the fact that the action of the arm has forward inertia while the limita– tion of reach causes the check action which corrects the body angle. Without labouring this point, its importance cannot be too strongly emphasized ; because, if the angle of