ATHLETES

Patricia Loverock’s article about science and sport (“The Athlete of the Future,” March 19) provided an incisive overview of the exciting strides taking place in the world of athletic performance. As the director of physical therapy and training for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Committee and a professional trainer, I know that visionaries such as Harmon Brown, Gideon Ariel and Bob Gregory are literally expanding athletic horizons.

The advantages of scientific study of sport reach beyond the world-class athlete. Average 10K runners, C-League softball players and senior citizens who work to keep fit--even weekend athletes--can take advantage of sophisticated techniques, including strength measurement, flexibility analysis and computerized performance evaluations. In that sense, the athlete of the future is really today’s jogger on the sidewalk.

GAIL WELDON

Los Angeles