Strength Tests for Athletes.

After September 1st, 1895, all students of Harvard University desiring to enter as competitors in athletic contests will be required to give evidence of their ability by making the following strength tests, in addition to the regular physical examinations: -

Candidates for the University crew and football team, and weight throwers will be expected to make a total strength test of 700 points. Candidates for the class crews and football teams, and gymnastic, wrestling and sparring contests will be expected to make a total strength test of 600 points. Candidates for the University and class baseball nines and lacrosse team, and track and field events, will be expected to make a total strength test of 500 points.

These points will be reckoned as follows: The number of kilos lifted with the back and legs straight, and the number of kilos lifted with the legs bent, added to the strength of the grip in the right and left hands, expiratory power as tested by the manometer, and one-tenth of the weight in kilos multiplied by the number of times that the person can raise his weight by dipping between the parallel bars and pulling his weight up to his chin on the rings. Where the strength test falls below the desired standard the capacity of lungs will be taken into account in summing up the condition.

The tests may be made and certificates will be granted on any day, excepting Saturday and Sunday, between 2 and 4 p.m., within the two weeks previous to a contest, but no examinations will be made or certificates be granted on the day of the contest.

The objects of these strength tests are three fold:

First, to stimulate the student to take regular physical exercise in order to keep himself in good condition.

Second, to protect the student from injury where his zeal for athletics is in excess of his ability.

Third, to protect athletics from the imputations made against them in consequence of the injuries received by persons who are not strong enough to engage in them.

Students who may not desire to enter as competitors in any of the athletic contests will, upon request, after passing a similar examination and making a similar test, be granted a certificate of condition equivalent to that given to the candidates of the various athletic teams.

D. A. SARGENT.