VALUE OF EXERCISES

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 41, 17 August 1921, Page 6

VALUE OF EXERCISES

LECTURE BY DR. H. J. M'LEAN

How to maintain' health and improve the physique of the race by means of proper exercise formed the subject of some interesting remarks by Dr. H. f J. M'Lean; C.8.E., in the * course of a lecture delivered at'the Red Cross rooms, Dixon-street, last night. Colonel G. F. C. Campbell, C.M.G., presided;

The aim of exercises, said the lecturer, was to maintain good health, and training in physical exercises could be traced back to earliest times. Prominent in the lives of the Greeks and Romans, physical training reached its highest stage among the Spartans, yiho aimed at producing the finest type of soldier. The Athenians, however, had recognised that mental training was a necessary side of the matter, and the Bomans also had given the'matter their attention, but had never gone as-far into it as had the Greeks. There had been no blending of intellect and training during the middle.ages until the'beginning of the 18th century. The lecturer said that muscles used in most. exercises were "voluntary" muscles-, ones not attached absolutely to the bone, -Skill, however, depended on nerve rather than muscle,- and the same applied to strength. A muscle Was no use without nerve impulse; and by that it could be seen how important was the development of the nervous -system. Exercise increased the amount of waste material in the system, and therefore the heart, was taxed. But by gradual exercise the muscles of the heart would.be strengthened. Weight-lifting, he thought, was the most extremely exacting exercise. The harmonious development of the whole body was what was aimed at, and not the raising of abnormal muscle by the.undue development of one part of the body at the expense of'the others. Abnormal muscle without a .corresponding development of heart and lungs :was injurious. The best results were to be obtained in youth when both body and n.ind were elastic. Deep breathing, without exertion, was not much good, although the elasticity of the chest was developed. Breathing should be done through the nose. Dr. M'Lean classified exercises under the headings: (1) Without. apparatus; (2) with apparatus; (3) .natural exercises (walking, running, and swimming).' The first was the Swedish system, but it did not give' the pupil any chance o!, originality. Each movement; was done by word of command. An exhibition of these exercises was given, by a party of school girls-from Wellington Girls' College, under Miss Whish. Exercises given were: Arch flexion, (depletion), heaving,l balance,, dorsal, abdominal, lateral, marching and running, jumping, and finishing.

"Physical training is good for both sexes,";said Dr. M'Lean, in conclusion; "and should be part of the curriculum of all schools, . where a games .master should'be in attendance. All teachers of small schools should .have received training, and good playgrounds should be provided. ,' By the proper use of physical exercises, if we avoid excess, we should produce a stronger, healthier, and happier race."

: The lecture closed with the passing of a vote of thanks to Dr. M'Lean. /