ATHLETICS AS A SCIENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20291, 27 December 1927, Page 12

ATHLETICS AS A SCIENCE.

Athletics is the last activity to be made a scientific study. Professor A. V. Hill, of University College, London, has been relating how simple physiological tests may be used in the future to train and rate athletes. The time ma - come when the coaching staffs of the largest athletic organisations may include scientists, who, before the man actually performs in the field, will be able to tell his limitations and possibilities. For, through an analysis of past athletic records and actual measurements of oxygen consumption and rates on individual athletes, Professor Hill has been able to demonstrate a physiological basis of athletic records. Among the interesting facts that he has been able to determine is that women athletes are able to attain a maximum speed of only 79 per cent, of that achieved by men. This figure applies to running and swimming. This,, ratio is true, because the female of the species is able to expend only 02 per cent, of the energy expendable by a man of the same weight, and because the energy used per minute varies as the square of the speed. Professor Hill believes that this difference in the achievement of male and female is due hot to difference in skill, but that it is explainable on the basis of simple mechanics.

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