NECESSITY FOR EXERCISE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 October 1934, Page 8

NECESSITY FOR EXERCISE

Demands of Modern Civilisation - Must Follow Out-of-Doors Programme Quality of Organic Health Value of Games

BY DUDLEY As previously indicated, modern civilisation has removed for most of us the necessity of any great degree of hard physical work. We live in artificially heated and cooled buildings, with practically all of the necessities of life available without the expenditure of any great amount of energy. Soft, cooked foods have replaced the rough, raw foods of primitive life. In short, we have a body which nature produced over a period of thousands of years under hard and exacting conditions of environment, thrust into a civilisation which makes the condition of physical living relatively easy, creating thereby a situation unfavourable to the development and maintenance of our physical .powers. One wonders if Nietzsche wasn’t substantially correct when he said “men need play and danger: civilisation gives them work and safety.” The solution of this problem from the standpoint of healthful living is for us to incorporate into our physical life to-day as; many of the factors as possible which were instrumental in the racial ; development of our bodies. . Not only does a consideration of the racial development of man indicate the desirability of following an out-of-doors programme of physical exercise based upon racial-old activities such as walking, running and Jumping, but the biological growth of the human being! as well points to the fact that all of the systems of the body are dependent upon the fundamental muscular system for their development and maintenance. In fact, it may be stated that the quality of organic health which an individual possesses is, within certain limits, directly proportional to the amount of fundamental muscular activity in which one engages. Since, as previously pointed out, these fundamental muscles of the body are the large muscles of the legs, trunk and arms, it is impossible for one to walk, run, jump, or play any games involving similar actions, without involving the use of these muscular groups. It follows, therefore, that by engaging in activities of this kind one is promoting organic health. No secret formulae exists for the strengthening of the vital equipment as distinct from the voluntary muscles. Healthy functioning of the internal organs results from a similar functioning of; the various muscle groups connected therewith.

R. WILLS. proper physical condition to stand the strain which is suddenly placed upon* the body. That -Monday morning feeling is a true barometer of the manner in which the week-end has been spent. It is impracticable to pursue one’s proposed activity at times other than week-end periods, a few minutes of skipping and setting-up exercises practised daily will assist materially in preparing oneself lor the more arduous endeavour at the end of the week. c - The ex-athlete, who tends to look glamorously upon the experiences of the past must remember that, after fifty, little in the way of athletic sports should be indulged in, tests of speed, strength and endurance being for youth arid not for age. Enough activity to keep the organism functioning well is desirable, but never past the point of fatigue. The older person should never push himself in evercise; reaching fifty he should rid himself of the notion that he is any sort of an athlete. . ’ 1

A knowledge of the condition of one’s health should be :of , vital concern to everyone; but for the individual who is following or expects to follow an exercise programme it is absolutely essential. The state of one’s healtli govern the kind and amount of exercise to be pursued and one who is uninformed on this matter is working in the dark, unable intelligently to guide his programme of physical living. Those who have health defects should engage in a programme of physical exercise only upon the advice of a physician and then under the personal supervision of a qualified instructor. Exercise is not a substitute for pharmaceutical and other iheraphy, but rather a useful adjunct thereto. Beginning a programme of exercise ill all cases, one should start moderately and gradually increase the amount of the activity pursuing it to slight fatigue but never to the point of exhaustion. Whether the physical endeavour be in the form cf game, contest, sport or exercise system it should differ as much as-is practicable from the routine work of our daily lives. Those, in sedentary occupations need the more vigorous pastimes while the worker, who uses his muscle regularly. requires a more, sedentary use of his leisure. Remember that the game’s the thing. Find an activity ,in which you can develop, some skill and experience some pleasure, and . you have found one road to your goal of superhealth. Learn to play and you have started on some happy times. The exercise that is so often a prominent end conies then as a by-product of an activity which is entered upon for its own satisfying reactions. The only problem is for the individual to decide Upon what activity seems best to suit his needs and interests, and then to set ; about in an orderly arid intelligent manner to enjoy trie ' fulless and richness .that comes from regular physical exercise, from vital processes consistently set in action. ■

Much may be said in favour of our athletic games and contests for those who are younger and especially, fitted for activities of this type, but the average man will gain most from physical exercise that is pursued in moderation. Temperance in exercise is as desirable as in many other good things. Excesses in this direction niay prove to be as harmful as intemperance in any other form of human endeavour. Without doubt no great degree of value comes from hectic and violent exercise participated in over week-ends' and during vacation periods. Only too frequently the individual is not in the