The Physical Development of Women.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10, 9 March 1907, Page 53

The Physical Development of Women.

(By

W. B. TEGETMEIER.)

The disadvantages of old age are very great, and are hardly compensated by the fact that persons greatly advanced in years, possessing their memory and faculties, have some advantages that cannot be possessed by younger persons. It is exceedingly interesting to them to erecall the conditions of life in the earlier part of last century, and compare them with the extraordinary development that has taken place in its latter half and the beginning of the twentieth century. To those who recollect the time when distant travel was performed on coaches, and that n ver a hard winter occurred but the bodies of some outside passengers were conveyed to their destination, life being extinct ; when railways were not only unknown but undreamt of. and a man who had journeyed between the capitals of the three kingdoms was regarded as an experienced traveller, the alterations in the physical attributes of women arc very remarkable. They are unquestionably much taller, more vigorous, more healthy, and in consequence more active than they were half a century ago. The number of tall women seen walking in the streets of London or any large town is, to those who recollect the first half of last century, exceedingly remarkable.

Now, it may be asked, to what circumstances is this alteration in the physical stature of women to be attributed, because its existence is undeniable? Frederick the Great, did he now exist as a tyrannical monarch, would have no difficulty whatever in finding wives of suit-

able stature and physical abilities for his regiment of Guards that he designed to be succeeded by children of a larger growth. There is but one answer: it is to the alterations of the conditions of life. Formerly women followed sedentary habits; they were in the great majority of eases simply domestic drudges. Now the practice of healthy outdoor exercises has not only largely increased amongst men, but has extended to the other sex. Take, for example, the practice of bicycling, not merely as an amusement, but as an economical, rapid, and advantageous means of locomotion. When bicycles were first established in the seventies, men oly rode on them, and I can recall how a lady of my acquaintance, who was one of the first to utilise these machines, on the introduction of the present type, was accosted, not offensively, but in the most demonstrative manner, by a gentleman, who told her as she rode by my side, “Madam, vou are a disgrace to your sex.” Such narrow-minded opinions have passed away, adn the man who insulted a woman in sueh language now would rather be regarded as one who was a disgrace to his own sex. The physical advantage of bicycling.to women is enormous, the exercise being regarded as a healthy occupation; they ride infinitely better than the ordinary run of men. It is rare to see a woman on a bicycle leaning forward in a crouchin" attitude, with hunched back, compressed chest, lessened lung space, and constricted abdominal viscera, which is the usual attitude of those. silly riders who think that, because racing men assume it in consequence of the reduced atmospheric resistance it offers in the extremity of a race, it is the right attitude to afleet in ordinary riding. < ounjloss thousands of women ride with due regard to the inflation of their lungs and the proper exercise of their muscles, ana their health, stature, and physical development are improved thereby. Then, again, it is the practice now for women to indulge t 0 a great extent moutdoor games, which have gradually been improved in character so as to afford physical exercise. Croquet, which was formerly the only game generally indulged in by women, is one of a more inactive character, and calls for no great amount of physical exertion, although it has the advantage of being played in the open air. This has given, place to lawn-tennis, a much finer exercise, which in its turn has been succeeded or accompanied by hockey, golf, and cricket; and even foothill has been played by some advanced women; but it is obvious that the latter is not a game which is adap-

ted either to female dress or attributes. Formerly even those women most fortunate in their position in life and in their oppodtunities of taking exercise were confined to riding, or possibly, if favourably situated, to rowing or paddling on the river, and the result was that the 'physical stature of women had few chances of being developed. Now this is changed to a very great extent, and the result is that we see finer, taller women, more upright, and much superior

in muscular and bodily development. There is no raeson why the muscles of a woman should not be developed as well as those of a man; they are capable of becoming so to an extraordinary degree if properly exercised. If any person doubts this capability, let him examine the hand of a female professional pianist, who plays, possibly, several hours a day. when the muscles of the hand and forearm will be found developed to a degree of firmness greatly superior to those of the majority of men.

Now comes the question, is this increased development in women advantageous or otherwise? Does it in any way interfere with their mental character, or is it purchased at any loss of any other desirable power? The answer to this is decidedly in the negative. Women thus exercised, regarded from a mere physical point of view, are stronger and healthier, and would be the mothers of stronger and more healthy children, than they otherwise would be;

and this cultivation of the stature, muscular power, and healthy action of the respiratory and digestive organs of women cannot but be regarded with satisfaction.