Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-03
USE AND ABUSE OF THE BICYCLE
Properly Seated the Rider Mny De-
| rive Benefits From the Exercise.

Properly Seateu tne H1uer Mny De.
rive Benefits From the Exercise.
From International Journal of Surgery.
The use of the bicycle as a means of ex-
ercise ranks, in my opinion, as foremost
among the beneficial forms OF exercise that
may be taken. 1t ranks equally with horse
back riding, rowing, swimming. and is su-
perior to walking; besides this 1t is means
of rapid transportation and forces the rider
into the open air. 1t is an active exercise
that can be proportioned 20 the weakest and
the strongest. He who desrese vigorous ex-
ercise can obtain it. No one can ride a
bicycle and not have his thoughts taken out
of himself, and at the same time have his
attention pleasantly engaged. The exercise
is fairly distributed over the body, affecting
principally the legs. the arms ana secondar-
lily those great systems, the cardiac, gland
ular and nervous After careful study |
believe the following to be its effect on
health:
Under moderate, sensible use the respira-
ton is not increased, but deepened the
heart beat slightly increased, and the blood
by these means and the alternate contrac-
lions or the muscles receives larger pro-
portion OF oxygen and is more evenly dis
trfbLted over the body, preventing con!es-
tons. The effete materials in the tissues
are rapidly removed, and oxidation, which is
essential to health, is more perfectly per-
formed. Upon the stomach and the intes-
tines there is a secondary, but noticeable eff
feet, viz, increased digestive power with in
creased capacity for food. This in turn en-
riches the blood The increased circulation
OF blood above mentioned gives additional
material out of which to manufacture gas
trio juice. Upon the liver its effect is not 30
bic, though the writer is inclined to
believe 1t is similar to that of the stomach
viz, increased functional power
Upon the muscular system II has a direct
effect nat Oh fhair n,
and power. Secondarily IL trains the great
spinal centers to perform complex spinal ac-
tion gives Increased coordination with less
ened 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
combination of intricate muscular acts
Again, take a man who has exercised his in
telectual faculties 10 the utmost: has, as a
consequence, increased circulation i'm the in
telectual area of the brain. BY means of
his muscular improvements and by bringing
into play the muscular and emotive centers
OF his brain he changes the force and direc-
ton of the cerebral blood current relieving
and resting the hard-worked intellectual
centers. And, lastly, it gives that elasticity
ana carriage. that solidity of gait. which he
speaks the healthy individual. while his cx-
preston, animal spirits and rosy complex
ion are in very great contrast to the uncer-
tain movements, sickiy smile, pale, pasty
greasy -looaing skin of the recluse and over
worked man.
There is one thing against which ! wish
to take an unouestioned and decided stand
that is, the incorrect position assumed by
many riders This position is the resultant
of compressed vanity, or lack of knowI-
edge. and has caused much unfavorable
comment to be bestowed upon this silent
steed. The correct position is that of a
modified position of the soldier-a position of
command. grace and perfect muscular con-
troll. The rider should have his handle ia RS
so adjusted that when he sits perfectly erect
the palm of the hand rests upon the har
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 inter
ference with the return circulation from the
lower limbs. If one will stand perfectly
erect, the arms close to the body, and the
forearms hexed at right angles, and the low
er limbs separated about eight inches at the
heels, he will understand thorouChly what
L mean by modified position of the soldier.