In high jumping, the front muscles of the thigh are principally used. They are attached at one end to the top part of the thigh bone, at the ocher to the knee cap, which passes over the knee, and is fixed to the top part of the shin bone. In the act of jumping, these muscles contract violently, and straighten the leg with a jerk, the quickness of which mainly contributes to the height of the jump.

In long jumping, the muscles of the back part of the thigh are used; these are attached to the back part of the shin bone at one end, and to the lower part of the pelvis at the other, and by contracting draw the leg backwards on the trunk. This action is also assisted by the glutoeus maximus, which is fixed at one end of the top part of the thigh, at the other to the lowest part of the vertebral column.

In long distance running, the front and back muscles of the thigh are used in equal proportions; the former in raising the body at every stride, the latter in propelling it forward. But in the case of running on the toes, the calf of the leg will be the weak part; so much so that no amount of practice will enable some, especially heavy men, to run any distance on their toes.

In short distance running, the front muscles of the thigh which lie nearest to the trunk, bring the leg forward in the rapid repetition of the strides. These are a different set from those that straighten the leg, and are used in long distance running; they are attached at one end to the lower and front part of the pelvis, and at the other end to the top part of the thigh bone. The back muscles of the thigh are the same that are used in long distance running for propelling the body forwards. A narrow pelvis is a great assistance in this, as indeed in all running; for on the narrowness of the pelvis facility in repeating the strides principally depends.

In throwing the hammer, more depends on the swing than on the strength of any particular muscle, though the strain comes more particularly on the small of the back—that is, on the muscles which raise and keep the back erect, and are attached to all the vertebra of the spine.

In putting the stone, the muscles called particularly into action are the front part of the deltoid, which is attached to the top part of the arm, and at the other end to the collar bone, and brings the arm upwards and forwards; the top part of the pectoral muscle, which also runs from the top of the arm to the collar bone, and brings the arm forwards; the triceps, which is fixed at one end of the shoulder and shoulder blade, and at the other end of the forearm, below the elbow, and extends the arm at the elbow joint. The feet are also assisted by a simultaneous spring with the legs, and a rapid turn of the body.

In walking, the muscles of the whole body are brought into action more than in any of the other exercises we have alluded to. The arms and back assist the legs greatly in changing the balance of the body, and in bringing the hips forward at each stride. The calf of the leg has much work to do, even as much as running on the toes. The muscle, however, that suffers most is that which rises on the outside of the shin bone, near the knee, and runs down the leg, crossing the shin near the ankle, to be inserted near the inside of the sole of the foot. This muscle raises the foot, and draws it back towards the leg at the end of the stride, and also points the heel at the commencement; so that in fast walking it has no rest, and consequently becomes very painful. The front and back muscles of the thigh also come in for a large share of work.

The following measurements are an average of the dimensions of some of the best runners, and may be taken as a fair guide of what the proportion of the limbs should be respectively:

The dimensions of the chest may appear small at first sight, but it must be remembered that the runner has no muscles of the shoulder blades to increase his measurement. A well-made runner has not that top-heavy appearance that characterizes the gymnast who does much arm work.