Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09
STRENGTH OF BODY.
Characteristics ofthe Swedish System
of Physical Culture.
A REASON FUR EACH MOVEMENT.
No Elaborate Apparatus Necessary to Make
Perfect Physiques.
PROGRESSION IN THE EXERCISES
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH. (.

Those who do not find time for exercise will
have to find time for illness.
Lord Derby.
In these days of a noticeable awakening
of popular interest for the physical develop
ment of children and young people the
question is repeatedly asked, "What is the
Swedish system of gymnastics?' or (Which
are its characteristics wherein it essentially
differs from other gymnastic systems?" The
fact is, that to fully understand the Swedish
system Of physical culture, or any other
that has any righteous claim to the prefix
SYSTEM" it is necessary to be thoroughly
conversant with the principles that are
fundamental to all gymnastics. 1t is a
knowledge not to be gained in a few minutes,
nor to be explained in few words. Yet in
the following will be found, briefly stated,
in what respects the Swedish method differs
from the others:
NOT AN ANTIoUATED SYSTEM.
The Swedish system of gymnastics, de-
vised by T. H. Ling, the scientist and
philosopher, was founded upon the laws of
nature and upon the laws of the human Or
ganism. Since the days of Ling the system
has been much perfected and improved by
Ling's numerous followers, who have made
it keep even pace with the progress of those
sciences upon which it is based. For that
reason the system is not altogether as an
tiquated as some of its antagonists would
faln have the uninitiated think; and the
TACT that it has survived in a country where
nothing is done in superficial and ir-
rational way ought to be a guarantee Tor its
efficiency.
First, let it be considered how the exer-
cises are selected. The exercises are chosen
according to their gymnastic value, which
quality depends on how the movement COM
bines the utmost effect on the body with
simplicity and beauty of performance.
Only such exercises are chosen and used
whose local and general effects are fairly
well known and proved to be needed by the
body. Not only the needs of the individual,
but his or her abilities as we'll are to be
taken into consideration; and for that rea-
son the instructor must know how to vary
the exercises according to the degree of
physical culture and ability possessed by
the pupil.
CORRECTING WRONG TENDENCIES.
The movement should have its developing
effects in short time; it should be simple
so that every pupil can do it fairly we'll;
and 1t should have beauty of execution ac-
cording to each ones ability. In order to
supply the needs of the organism and to de-
have to overcome a great many tendencies
to faulty growth or bad posture; and the
greater or less value OF movement depends
on its power to counteract or correct these
tendencies. 1t naturally follows that the
system uses no exercise which would en-
courage such faults, for instance, using
weights for beginners, etc.
In accordance with the physiological
truth that the first, greatest and most ex-
Iensive effect OF exercise is on the respiratory
organs, and that hence, during exercise
these or gans must be allowed perfect free
dom OF motion, the Swedish method disap-
proves of and discards all movements which
compress the chest, or which in any way in
terfere with free respiration; and the greatest
attention is given to the proper development
of the chest. In recognition of the fact that,
to be truly strong man must know how to
breathe well, much prominence has been
given TO respiratory" exercises. "Breathei'
"Don't hold your breathl' are common ex-
hortarions in gymnasiums where this
method is used.
MUSCLES CARE FOR THEMSELVES.
In judging of the effects of an exercise.
we think the least of the muscular develop
ment produced; Ior, the effect of all general
exercise is to develop muscle, and this aim
is reached without especially working for
it. But we think all the more of the effects
produced on nerves, vessels, etc., Tor the re-
suits in this direction can be vastly changed
by varying the movements, as demonstrated
in medical gymnastics; in other words, the ex-
ercises have been made to harmonize with
the laws of physiology.
In measuring mans strength, we COM
pare the man to himself; we do not say that
man is strong because he can lift so many
pounds, or because he can jump SO high.
and run so fast. But when he possesses a
healthy, well-balanced and well-propor-
toned body, which his will has under good
control, then he possesses physical culture,
even though in the eyes of some he NAV
seem weak as compared to others. 1t is this
health, symmetry, and harmony we aim at
in selecting the exercises; and that the
Swedish method accomplishes its purpose
has been too well demonstrated to leave
room for doubt.
AESTHETICAL GYMNASTICS,
Movements are never chosen because
they look so pretty" Ior educational GYM
nastics do not aim at beauty of performance.
When gymnastics do have such an aim they
are called "sesthetical," "caIisthenics,"
etc., and these have but little effect toward
physical development. And vet we claim
that when a movement il we'll done
it is graceful also. Some persons mis-
take languid manner OF motion for grace,
and hence claim that the Swedish exercises
are too jerky to be graceful.
Our second point for consideration is the
regularity of method. In order that GYM
nastics be systematic there must be progress
sion. In the Swedish method this is adj |
hered to very strictly, so that the exercises,
beginning with the very simplest, gradually |
become stronger and more complicated. So |