Why? The Science of Athletics

MECHANICS AND . LEVERAGE McCloy has calculated that the force Power is Basis needed for the propulsion of the shot will of Imparted vary as the square of the velocity, the power Energy will vary as the cube of the velocity and the I· 5 power of t11e range, i.e. distance of the flight. Taking power to be the basis of energy imparted to the shot, it is represented in physics by the product of Force times Velocity. Weight and speed are both impor– tant because inertia must be overcome, the shot cannot have a faster velocity than that of the ha~d propelling it, and therefore the athlete must be able to use his leverage fast enough to keep up the exertion of force upon the shot as it travels away from his body. Another point to be borne in mind is that the glide is made primarily to get the shot in motion by the forward momentum of the whole body, without bringing into play the much weaker force of arm extension until the shot is actually moving forward with the body, although it is stationary in the hand for the moment. It follows, there– fore, that if the athlete checks his forward momentum at the end of his glide he will have to start all over again to overcome the inertia of the shot, and the whole utility of his glide will be lost. The shot, moreover, must .be kept in line with the direction of leg drive and the parabola of flight, which runs theoretically from the pushing foot, passing up through the body, along the despatching arm, and out into the external path of the missile. The laws of Angles of Projection are particularly important, since the shot is propelled at a height of from 7 to 7·5 ft. above ground level. This being so, it has been found that the optimum angle of projection is one of 41 degrees. The Springfield College experiments Some Points proved that the flight of the missile is for Considera- governed by the angle of projection, the tion velocity of projection and the power of the . push. The effectiveness of pushing power Is a matter of neuro-muscular development and externally u