The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1895-03-14
ATHLETICS AND THE MIND.
Football and Rowing Are Said to Be Fine
Mental Training.

Mental Training.
In England we are apt to take the
necessity for sports in some form for
granted, but in America the subject
of athletics is discussed with a Sc
robustness which hardly obtains in
this country, says The British Med
ical Journal. DR.. Conant of Boston,
III very suggestive article in the
Boston Medical and Surgical Jour
nal, pleads earnestly for the general
acceptance of athletics, not as mere
sport or pastime, but as part of the
system of education which the uni
versities supply. There can be no
question that while TIE sit still sys-
tenn" of education has done much
harm to children free muscular ac-
tivity has been conducive to brain
development, partly probably by
supplying it with more healthy
blood, but partly also by the cere-
bral activity involved, the muscle
and the nerve being in factNbut two
parts or one machlne
Much as one might imagine that
carefully planned gymnasium exer-
cises could be arranged TO give the
exercise required, the gymnasium
does not seem a popular place, nor
does DR.. Conant seem to think much
of it asa means of education. AS usu-
ally arranged it is under cover and
so lacks that great essential fresh
air, and it lacks the stimulating in
fuence of outdoor sports and espe-
cially of games. Nevertheless gym
nastics, although not the most USE
full form of exercise, are of great adj
vantage as training for crew or
team.
1t, however, says DR.. Conant,
there is to be any attempt at regu-
lar and systematic development, not
only of the body, but of the mental
faculties as we'll, one must have, in
order to get the highest good from
such training, q certain amount of
stimulus in tho work to be done, the
stimulus arising from competition
and from public appreciation. Speak
ing of football, he says that there is
considerable risk of injury in the
game, especially to men who have
not been carefully trained in the
sport at school. What is wanted is
some constant and careful supervi-
sion over the players, so that they
shall be in a condition both of phys
ical and mental health.
A list which is given of the injuries
received by the Harvard men during
the last four seasons shows a consid-
cradle number of accidents, but COM
few of a serious nature.
and those appear to have occurred
chiefly among the "class" rather
than the varsity teams, showing
that the better trained men are far
ihe least liable to injury. There |
seems no doubt that rowing is one of |
he best means of developing man
n an all around way, but both in re-
gard to it and track" athletics much
If the benefit arises from the indi-
'idual training or coaching" given
0 each man.
We come round, then, to the old |
oint that athletics should be looked
n as part of the education of that
neuromuscular arrange
lent of which man is principally
lade up and to the activity of which
IL expression of either intellect or
motion is due. In considering the
lrther bearing of this question the
l1uence which an athletic training
as upon man after he has left col
'ge must not be lost sight of. Many
man feels that his success in after
fe is largely due to the excellent
ondition of his mind and body,
rought about by the athletics which
g practiced when in college. This
thletic training never entirely
'aves him in after life, and although
o may be much occupied in other
avs he still finds opportunity for
ldulging in some form of athletic
ork, which keeps him physically
ealthy man and mentally q bright