Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09

effect of Strengthening the dorsal region OF
the spine; of vaulting the chest forward oy
drawing the lower ribs apart, thus lncreas-
ing the capacity of the chest. and OF cultl-
waiting the extensibilitv of the upper region
of the abdomen.
3-Heaving movements, which consist OF
various exercises in a hanging position, and
others that have the effect of expanding the
upper part of the chest by lifting it upward;
incidentally they also develop the arms. Ii
these movements are not preceded by the
arch-fexions they will produce lameness IN
the upper region of the abdomen. Free
standing arm extensions are classified In
this group, since their effects resemble those
of heayIng movements, for which they also
prepare the way.
4-Balance movements. The two preced-
ing movements are strong, hence they in
crease the heartbeat noticeably. Now
rest ought to ensue-the word rest not to be
understood as meaning inactivity, but
changing activity-and the time is conven-
iently filled by the gentle movements called
balance movements. These require but lit
tie effort from any one of the many muscles
brought into play; the heartbeat is not in
creased by them, but becomes lessened by
the mechanical propulsion Of the blood into
the legs and lower regions. AT the end OF a
for more specific work.
THE MORE ACTIVE CLASSES.
5-Shoulder-blade movements consists of
arm movements, which have the effect of
placing the shoulder blades in correct posi-
ton.
6-Abdominal exercises bring into forcible
play the muscles forming the abdominal
walls; their effects are to promote digestion
and to shorten the stay of the food IN the
intestinal canal.
Forward fe6lons of the trunk, which
tend to strengthen the dorsal muscles, keep
ing the spinal column in a naturally easy
and erect position.
8-Lateral trunk movements consist of
rotations and sideways fexions, etc., of the
trunk. They have iar-reaching effect on
the general circulation by accelerating the
flow in the inferior "vena cava," leading
the blood off from the abdomen and legs,
etc. Incidentally they also expand the
chest laterally and strengthen the muscles
around the waist.
9-Slow leg movements. By this time
the heartbeat is again increased; the
slow leg movements furnish means of les
soning it. For by these the blood becomes
mechanically propelled forward, through
the iorcible passive extension of some mus
cles, while others are in gentle active con-
traction. These movements NAV be conven-
iently omitted, when the previous exercises
are not strong enough to make them a neces-
sity.
10-Jumping and vaulting. These ex-
ercises have the effect OF cultivating the
general elasticity Of the body more than
does any other form of movement. And if
we recall that grace and elasticity are very
nearly identical in gymnastics, we under
stand the gymnastic need of these move
ments. They develop courage. selEreliance,
a true appreciation of space, and produce
great ability of voluntary coordination of
motion as we'll. The Swedish method diff
fers from all others (not founded on iD in
its manner of preparing the jumping by
practicing the intermediate positions and
motions, before the real movement is at
tempted, as well as in demanding that the
correct "landing" should be insisted upon.
In like manner the vaulting is prepared BY
first cultivating in the pupil the habit Of
clinging to the bar, no matter what hap
pens before he is made to leap over it And
the progression is so strict that we have no
accidents to record in these "yiolent" or
precipitate movements.
rur