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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 2026, 15 September 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

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Running as an Exercise. Amono the means which nature has bestowed on animals in general for the preservation and enjoyment of life, running, says Mercurialis, is the most important. Since then, it is pointed out to us by nature, it must be in a high degree innocent. It is very singular that we should apparently do all wo can — which, fortunately, is not much — to make our children unlearn the art of running: Our earliest physical treatment of them seems calculated to destroy their aptitude for it ; in a little time, it is too often the case that the city boy scarcely dares look as if he wished to run, we prohibit it so strongly as vulgar, and when he is more grown up gentility steps in and prohibits it altogether. Medical prejudices and our own convenience contribute likewise their share, and never allow our children, boys and girls, to acquire an art innocent of itself and necessary to all. It is possible that a person may get injury from running, but the fault is not in the exercise, but in the person who runs without having had proper training and practice. Negroes and Indians in & state of nature run daily in pursuit of game for food with a facility at whioh we are astonished, but they are not more liable to consumption on this account than those beasts that are so famed for swiftness. The body of no animal seems better adapted to running than man's. The nobler parts, which- might be injured by an immoderate reflux of blood, are uppermost, and the laws of gravitation assist in propelling the runner forward. He has little to do but to strengthen his limbs by practice and concentrate his mind on the effort, and there is nothing severe in this, as experience has shown. Indeed, running may be made very beneficial to the lungs, and perhaps thero is nothing better calculated to strengthen these organs, in those who are short-winded, than gradual, careful training in this almost lost art. "As soon as children are expert in walking, turning, and the like," says the sagacious Fr&nk, " running races under proper precautions is an excellent exercise for them." The principal objects of tins exercise are to strengthen the limbs, develop the lungs, exercise the will, and promote the circulation of the blood. Running was so highly esteemed by the old Greeks, that Homer observed that no man could acquire greater fame than by being strong in his hands, feet and limbs ; PJato recommends running, not only to boys and i girls, but to men ; Seneca, who expresses strong disapprobation of athletics, recommends running to Lucilius for exercise. The following rules may be observed : Running should only be practiced in cool weather ; as for instance, in the late fall, I winter, and early spring months. i The clothing should be light, the head bare, and the neck uncovered. As soon as the exercise is finished, warm clothing should be put on and gentle exercise continued for some time. It is not necessary to have a race course. The teacher of a school may take his pupils into the fields and find suitable ground for them. Then his pupils may exercise their bodies in other ways, acquire strength, agility, health, and the capacity of continued exertion ; the will i 3 brought into play vigorously, which is a great aid in the battle of life. Care must be taken not to overdo, and thus, perhaps for life, weaken or injure the heart. The race, at first, should be short and frequently repeated, rather than long, and full speed should not be attempted for some time. ', Running is well adapted to young and middle-aged persons, but not to those who are fat. Sedentary persons may find great benefit in it after the day's work is ended. If they live in cities, a quiet spot in the park may be selected, and short trials adapted to the strength entered into. Invalids may do the same thing, only they must be more careful than the robust never to ovor-exert themselves. Girls may run as well as boys, and, while they cannot go so fast, they can race much more gracefully and beautifully. Indeed, there can be few more attractive sights than that of a race between beautiful girls from ten to twelve years of age. After puberty, the change in the formation of the bones of the pelvis in girls renders running less easy and graceful. In ancient Greece girls were trained to run races as well as boys, and to their superb physical culture was in great part due the grandeur and beauty of Greek life during the yeara of their ascendency. The modern style of dreas for girls after puberty is also entirely unsuited to running. — Herald of Health.