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Letter: Tiny tumblers

Published 14 October 2000

From Harold Rohlik

Ian Sample recently reported part of the story on why short gymnasts perform
better than taller ones
(9 September, p 19).
The square-cube law, which explains
many animal characteristics, shows that strength-to-weight ratio varies
inversely with height, assuming that muscle strength in p.s.i. is constant. So
this gives short gymnasts a real advantage in throwing their bodies around.

Brunswick Hills, Ohio

Issue no. 2260 published 14 October 2000

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