Breathe Properly and Play Better.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17853, 22 May 1926, Page 11

Breathe Properly and Play Better.

Physical Culture Expert Gives Valuable Hints to Canterbury Athletes.

How often on the football field do you see men lagging wearily about the half-way line, when they ought to be tip with the ball under the enemy's goal. What is the cause? Usually slackness in training accentuated by faulty breathing methods. "'Smith-Jones has lost his dash" say critics in the grandstand. But physical culture experts would tell you that Smith-Jones is still far from being a loafer, a "waiter," a "shiner" or a "has-been;" that all he wants is regular breathing exercises for a month, night and morning , Then all Hawke's Bay and a leg-rope wouldn't hold him back -

How athletes generally strengthen their lungs is set out by’ Mr Leslie A. Morrison,, of Thames Street, St Albans, in the article printed below. Mr Morrison has had considerable experience in gymnastic classes.

In practising breathing exercises strict attention should be paid to. the following rules: — Avoid tight-fitting clothing, particularly about the neck, chest and waist. The beat time for practising is first thing in the morning immediately on rising, but if the time can be spared, practise in addition for short periods two or three times during the day. Breathe slowly; rapid, insufficient breaths betoken weakness. Slow’, deep breathing is the habit of animals noted for their strength and longevity. The elephant breathes only about eight times a minute, w’hile the mouse breathes over one hundred times in the same period. Avoid practising in ill-ventilated rooms or in dusty’ air. This is all the more to be heeded where the dust

is not only plentiful, but likely to be filled with impurities. This may be looked, for always in places were many people gather. Outdoors or before an open window is the best place for practising the exercises, even in the coldest weather, as no harm can accrue to one if the is inhaled through the nostrils, as it » thereby purified and wanned before reaching the lungs.' Avoid attempting too many exercises at one practise. As each exercise is to be repeated several times, one or two will be found quite sufficient, and care should be taken that practice should discontinue immediately upon the first signs of fatigue. EXERCISE I. Lie upon the back and place the right hand upon the chest, the left upon the abdomen. Without moving the upper

part of the chest, inhale slowly through the nostrils, and then slowly exhale. If the upper part of the chest does not move, this will mean that the diaphragm and abdominal muscles are active, and as the lungs expand in inhaling, the diaphragm is pressed downward, and this in turn causes the abdominal walls to distend. This motion will be felt under the left hand. In exhaling, as the air leaves the lungs, the abdominal walls relax and move somewhat inward and upward. When control of the chest has been obtained with the body in the lying postion, the exercise should be taken standing erect. EXERCISE 11. Standing quite erect and without moving the shoulders, inhale slowly through the nostrils until the lungs seem quite full, hold the breath for a few seconds, and then slowly exhale. The retaining of the breath is an important factor of breathing exercises, but the breath must on no account be held as long as it is possible to hold it. Always exhale whilst it can be done slowly. This suggests reserve forces, the sudden and explosive exhalation suggests exhausted force. EXERCISE 111. Standing erect and with arms hanging straight down, inhale, and whilst the lungs are inflated raise and lower the heels (gently) twice, then slowly exhale. EXERCISE IV. Raise and lower heels four times whilst inhaling, and the same whilst exhaling. Lower the heels gently. EXERCISE V. Place hands on hips, fingers in front, thumbs behind. Slowly inhale, and at same time press elbows backward. Hold the breath for a few seconds, then slowly exhale, allowing the elbows at the same time to come slowly forward again. EXERCISE VI. Raise the arms slowly forward and upward until above the head, mentally counting six, inhaling and exhaling as for the last exercise. Gradually increase the number of counts by" raising the arms more slowly. EXERCISE VII. Lying on back, and with hands resting on chest, slowly inhale until the lungs seem quite full, then exhale and at same time compress with both hands the chest walls. EXERCISE VIII. Raise arms sideways and bend knees slowly, at same time inhaling and mentally counting eight. Lower ■ arms and straighten knees, at same time exhaling, counting the same number.