Abstract
The 42 members of a university track team were Si in a comparative study of those athletes classified as sprinters and those classed as distance runners. The two groups were compared on 28 physiological and behavioral variables, including height, weight, body surface, metabolism rate, respiration rate, vital capacity, biood pressure, pulse rate, vertical jump, reaction time, scholastic aptitude, reading ability, and grade-point average. Greatest differences were found in measures of pulse rate (especially those observed after periods of vigorous physical activity), in vital capacity, and in vertical jump ability. Distance runners tended to be somewhat taller but lighter than sprinters and to surpass sprinters on most measures of scholastic aptitude and achievement.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.