SELECTING ATHLETES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 July 1927, Page 7

SELECTING ATHLETES

APPLICATION OF TALENT. ANATOMICAL FACTOR. Although in our scientific age sport occupies an increasing proportion ot young people’s time, it as remarkable that the science of anatomy has inner yet been properly applies! to athletic sports. Holme the athletic latent of our nation can he utilised to the best advantage, candidates for international honours must he selected on scientific principles. At present the number of men who “crack up ’ during training proves that many of them should never have been allowed to go in lor strenuous events, writes Dr. Robert Blakoe, famous anatomist, in the “Daily Chronicle.’’ There are some qualities of physique which every first-class athlete should possess. The nostrils should he large enough to inhale all the air required during a race. A racehorse trainer, if he finds a good animal which is deficient in this respect, does not hesitate to slit the nostrils until they are large enough. But many a racer finds that he cannot breathe freely after u mile or two. opens his mouth, and inhales: cold air which passes straight down to lij.s lungs. Lungs and Heart. The lungs should be not only -large, but of the right .shape, and in the right place. This is very important, for they must not interfere with any other organ, or be interfered with by any. The stethoscope should be used when the individual concerned, has just been exerting himself considerably. Onlv under such conditions can a doctor ' expert to detect irregularities of the heart. After the preliminary examination, it would be necessary to wo that each man was entered and specially trained for the events most suited to his particular build and physique. Now, in a short race, the mb ole of the force exerted comes from above, the knees, hut many a would-be sprinter has a large foot and bulging calf. Such a mian is. carrying on each leg a handicap of five or six pounds ! Tn addition to making the runner slower, this deadweight gives extra and unnecessary work on the valves of the heart. On the other hand, this .man possesses weight just where it would ho useful to a boxer, who needs a good foundation. as it were, so that he is not easily knocked off his balance. The high jumper needs >a depth, of muscle above the knee, while a good hurdler has development of the extensor muscles of the leg, with strong pelvic attachments to give him the upward lift which accompanies his forward movement.

Specialising Required. Many a candidate for athletic honours would be found, if judged by these standards, to have no chance of becoming a third-rater. He should he told .so quite frankly. Others, who by chance had concentrated on long-distance races might be found far more fitted lor short-distance events and vice versa. They should be offered training for whatever they could <lo best. Training -should obviously vary according to each man s event. A. runner should” avoid developing his arms, shoulders, and chest muscles, since bv| doing -so -lie is only adding to- t.licq weight he. has to carry round the track.. A javelin thrower, on the other hand, has peculiar requirements in this ■ respect. An oarsman’s special development should be in the back and abdominal muscles, which take most of the .strain during a race, although good deltoids (the triangular muscles of the .shoulders) are essential. When such methods . are regularly emploved in the athletic world it is safe to predict that most of the existing records will speedily be surpassed. Of still mope .importance, competitive sport, which is often described «S harmful, will then be universally recognised as being of the utmost- value to our health as a nation.