Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-01-26
ATHLETICS AND THE MIND.
FaUtaali and Rowing Are Said 10 lie Fine
Mental Training.

raUtaali and Rowing Are Said 10 lie Fine
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 Sc
robustness which hardly obtains IN
this country, says The British Med
ical journal. DR., Conant Of Boston,
in u 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 rs part of the
system of education which the uni
versities supply. There can be no
question that while the sit still sys-
tom" 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 fact but two
parts of one machine.
Much as one might imagine that
carefully planned gymnasium exer-
cises could be arranged to give the
exercise required the gymnasium
does not seem popular place. nor
does DR.. Conant seem to think much
of it as means of education, Asus
ally arranged it is under cover and
so lacks that great essential fresh
air, and it lacks the stimulating ill.,
nuence of outdoor sports and espe-
cially of games, Nevertheless gym.
nastics, although not the most use
full form of exercise, are of great ad.
vantage rs a training for crew OF
team.
If, however, says DR.. Conant,
there is to be any attempt at resu,
lar and systematic development, not
only of the body, but of tho mental
faculties as WE'LL one must have, in
order to get the highest good from
such training, Il certain amount OF
stimulus in the work to be done, the
stimulus arising from competition
and from publicappreciation. 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 consid.
cradle number of accidents, but COM
paratively few of serious nature,
and those appear to have occurred
chiefly among tho class" rather
than the varsity teams, showing
that the better trained men are far
the least liable to injury, There
seems no doubt that rowing is ono OF
the best means of developing a man
in an all around way, but both in re-
gard to it and track athletics much
~ the benefit arises from the indi,
yidunl training OF coaching given
to each man.
We come round, then, to the old
point that athletics should be looked
on as part of the education of that
inscparable neuromuscular arrange.
mcnt of which man is principally
made upanl to the activity of which
nll expression Ut elther intellect or
emotion is due. IN considering the
further bearing Of this question tha
influence which an athletic training
has upon Il man after he has left col.
lege must not be lost sight of. Many
a man feels that his success in after
life is largely due ~ the excellent
condition of his mind and body,
brought about by the athletics which
he practiced when in college. This
athletic training never entirely
leaves him in after life, and although
he may be much occupied in other
ways he still finds opportunity for
indulging in some form II athletic
work, which keeps him physically u
healthy man and mentally a bright
one