PHYSICAL FITNESS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 191, 11 May 1938, Page 11

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Progress Of Campaign In Britain STRIVING FOR IDEAL "Dominion” Special Service —By Air London, March 15. The campaign for physical fitness in Great Britain is being waged with great vigour. Men, women, and young persons of both sexes are striving toward an ideal of health, strength and physical well-being, and are thoroughly enjoying themselves in the process. National and local authorities are encouraging and helping in the formation of classes and groups. The British have always been a nation of sportsmen, and an enormous number of voluntary sports and recreational organisations are now widening their sphere of activities, and, where necessary, new organisations are being formed.

Improved industrial and social conditions have given the British people more leisure, and many observers have naturally put the question: Can we be sure that increased leisure for the bulk of the people, will be wisely used? On the whole we can safely say that the greater leisure now enjoyed by millions of people is wisely used and enjoyed. There is less drunkenness and crime than there was a generation or two ago, when life was more strenuous and longer hours were spent in the ordinary task of earning one’s daily bread; more people are interested in intellectual pursuits, and still more are engaged in games and exercises designed to develop their bodies in the best possible manner. Community Centres. A small booklet was recently published by the Stationery Office, the Government publishing department, on “National Fitness: The First Steps,” and widely circulated. To provide extra facilities 'for recreatiols, sports, and games, and to improve and extend present arrangements, the Government set aside more than £2,000,000, and a National Advisory Council for Physical Training and Recreation sees that this money is well spent. Sports, games, and recreation grounds have been laid out, aud swimming baths have been built under the council’s auspices. Schemes are now in hand for community centres, with gymnasia, indoor sports facilities, and halls for concerts, lectures, cinematograph shows, and theatrical entertainments. These centres will cater for young and old, and for the social as well as the recreational needs of the community. The women’s team games associations have fostered and extended the already existing interest in such games as lacrosse, hockey, netball, swimming, cycling, and cricket. Schools, colleges, factories, and every branch of the Public Service now have their clubs, and it is estimated that these provide games facilities for 500,000 women. In addition there are such forms of sport ns riding, golf, and tennis, in which women play a considerable part. Another interesting feature of the reawakened interest in physical exercises is the part played in the movement by elderly men 'who a few years ago would have considered their active days were past One popular organisation has organised classes in gymnastics for men over 40; at a recent meeting of one class the average age of those present was 55, and the leader was aged 78. Strength of Nation. The physical strength and well-being of a people will of course ultimately depend upon the condition of its children. In this regard progress is rapid. While building up her industrial supremacy, Great Britain sacrificed much to the industrial machine. To some extent her children suffered in consequence. To-day every effort is. made to give the children opportunity to develop the best that is in them. Lord Stanhope, President, of. the Board of Education, recently stated that “those who could' recall the appearance of the typical school child of thirty years ago would realise the vast improvement which had taken place in physique since the initiation of the school health services. In some areas increases amounting to two inches in average height and from seven to eight pounds in average weight had been recorded.” With that improvement a vast amount of disease and disability has disappeared. This improvement is due to a variety ot causes, including better hygiene and sanitation, school dental and medicalclinics, a general all-round improvement in conditions, and the provisions of free meals for necessitous children.

One beneficial step is the distribution milk, either free or at half price, m schools. Under a scheme inaugurated in 1934, three million children each receive a glass of milk or more a day in the schools. Tims Great Britain is building up a nation physically fit, and that without compulsion, military purpose or discipline, relying solely upon voluntary organisation and the interest and enterprise of individual citizens.