The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-01-18
BICYCLE RIDING.
Some of It's Benefits to the Phys
ical System.
An Anstomist Discourses Interestingly
Cpon This Most Pieasurable Form
OF Exercise-Thc Incorrect
Position.

The use Of the bicycle as a means of
exercise ranks. in my opinion, as fore
most among the beneficial forms OF
exercise that may be taken, says a
writer in the International Journal
of Surgery. 1t ranks equally with
horseback riding, rowing. swimming
and is superior to walking; besides this
it is a means of rapid transportation
and forces the rider into the open air
1t is an active exercise that can be pro-
portioned to the weakest and the
strongest He who desires vigorous ex-
ercise can obtain it. No one can ride
bicycle and not have his thoughts
taken out of himself. and at the same
time have his attention pleasantly en-
gagged.
After careful study / believe the
following to be its effect in health:
Under moderate, sensible use the per-
spiration is not increased but deep
ened; the heart beat slightly increased,
and the blood by these means and the
alternate contractionS of the muscles
receives larger proportion of oxygen
and is more evenly distributed over the
body, preventing congestions. The
effete materials in the tissues are rapid
ly removed, and oxidation, which is
essential'to health. is more perfectly
performed. Upon the stomach and the
intestines there is a secondary but no
ticeable effect, viz: increased diges-
tive power with increased capacity for
food. This in its turn enriches the
blood. The increased circulation of
bOlod above mentioned gives addi-
tional material out of which to manu-
facture gastric juice. Upon the liver
its effect is rot SO noticeab BILE, though
the writer is inclined to believe it is
similar to that of the stomach, viz: in
creased functional power.
Upon the muscular system it has
direct effect, increasing their size. their
hardness and power. Secondarily it
trains the great spinal centers to per-
form complex movements and acts
BS a balance to over spinal action.
gives increased coordination with
lesscned expenditure of nervous force.
The acts become automatic. Its effect
upon the brain is of great benefit. 1t
develops the motor area of the brain
and in it permits of a combina ton of
intricate muscular acts. Again, take
a man who has exercised his intellec-
tual faculties to the utmost; has, as a
consequence, increased circulation in
the intellectual area of his brain.
BY means of his muscular improve
ments and by bringing into play the
muscular and emotive centers Of his
brain he changes the force and direc-
tion of the cerebral blood current. re-
heving and resting the hard-worked
intellectual ceaters. And, lastly, it
gives that elasticity and carriage, that
solidity of gait, which bespeak the
healthy individual, while his express
sion, animal spirits and rosy complex
ion are in very great contrast to the
uncertain movements, sickly smile,
pale. pasty, greasy-looking skin of the
recluse and orerworked man.
There is one thing against which I
wish to take an unqueStiOned and de-
cided stand-that is, the incorrect po-
sition assumed by many riders. This
position is the resultant of COM
pTeSSeu vanity Or ldch OF knOWleUSc,
and has caused much unfavorable
comment upon this silent testeed.
The correct position is that of a
modified position of the soldier-a po-
sition of command, grace and perfect
muscular control. The rider should
have his handle bars so adjusted that
when he sits perfectly erect the palm
of the hand rests upon the bar without
tension upon the arm muscles. The
arms should be comfortably extended,
and the trunk as far as possible held
erect without being stiff. The legs
can then be extended with comfort,
and without interference with the re-
turn circulation from the lower limbs
Il one will stand perfectly erect. the
arms close to the body, and the fore
arm fixed at right angles, and the
lower limbs separated, about eight
inches at the heels, he will understand
thoroughly what mean by a modified
position of the soldier.
VT