16 THE TABLES: EXPLANATORY 



considerably larger vital capacity than an individual of 

 the same size and weight living an inactive life.* It is 

 therefore necessary to allow for these differences when com- 

 paring individuals with other persons of the class from 

 which they are drawn. 



It has now been found that for all practical 

 purposes people may be grouped into three classes 

 A, B, and C, representing conditions of perfect, medium, 

 and poor physical fitness. It should be clearly under- 

 stood that the values given in Class A in no way 

 represent the maximum that may be found in a person of 

 a particular size, but are the average figures for the vital 

 capacity a Class A person in perfect health is likely 

 to show. In cases of persons exhibiting a particularly 

 high standard of physical fitness these figures may be 

 considerably exceeded. 



In using the Tables to estimate physical fitness, it 

 should first be ascertained, in the manner indicated above, 

 whether the subject's weight is normal or abnormal. 

 Having found the weight to be normal, the next procedure 

 is to see whether his vital capacity places him in Class A, 

 Class B, or Class C. To help in placing people approxi- 

 mately in their appropriate class, the Table on p. 17 is 

 appended. Should the vital capacity of a person who, 

 judged by his mode of life, belongs to a certain class 

 fall considerably below this class (e.g. by more than 10 

 per cent.), one might have good reason to feel suspicious 

 with regard to the present state of his health. If his 

 vital capacity be normal for his weight and class (he 

 himself being of normal weight), further reference to the 

 vital capacity Tables is unnecessary. If, on the other 



* G. D., loc. cil. 



