The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-07-05
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Y" ~
BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL CULTURE.
Miss Berenson, of Smith College, Says 1t
Makes Girls Happier.
Miss Senda Berenscn, instructor of
physical training at Smith College, in
speaking of the benefits women derive
from health culture, says;
If the higher education of woman
means anything it means the develop
ing Of powers in different directions.
It means not only the education of
the mind, but the development of all
the faculties. Since women have al
ready enlarged their sphere of activity
to such a wonderful degree, yet seem
only at the threshold of their posi-
bilities, they need health and strength
and endurance more than ever before
to more readily meet the demands Of
their life work. Although physical
training is still much neglected in
some quarters it Is gaining ground
rapidly as dignified and necessary
partof any serious scheme of educa-
ton.
The physical training department at
Smith College aims to be an aid to the
academic department. 1t does not
aim to make athletes or physical
specialists; 1t does not encourage
athletics or gymnastics for their own
sakes, but it devotes all its energies to
increasing the general health of the
average student, developing nationally
strong and tremendously developed
bodies. and making the body as per-
feet basis as possible for the intel
Iectual activities.
A feature that was introduced three
years ago and is proving very success
full is that of medical gymnastics.
Students who are below the average
health, who have an@mia, delicate
heart or lungs; those who have slight
curvature of the spine or any other
asynmetrical development, take up
the work specially adapted to their
needs. 1t can be said with truth that
excepting students who are weak
ened by illness, every one gains by
physical exercise-a number show re-
markable gains.
The greatest gains are made in back,
legs and lung capacity. The girth of
chest is often increased three inches.
One measurement of interest shows
that the depth of chest is always in
creased. while the depth of abdomen
is decreased. This demonstrates that
the training brings about better car
riage and poise. Charts of working
capacity are given to all students who
desire them, and prove great source
of help and encouragement both to in
structors aud pupils.
Although the all around educational
gymnastics are always emphasized,
athletics and Guido exercises are
encouraged as much as possible. The
department discourages the idea SO
prevalent among many people that
athletics only are necessary for physi-
cal development. Its aim is to have
the athletics and gymnastics supple
ment each other.
Basketball is by far the most popu-
lar game at Smith, and Is a most valu
able one not alone from the athletic
point of view. Women are physically
timid. have no self-reliance, are still
rather self-couscious and personal.
Team games-where the individual is
secondary to the team; where fair
play, earnestness of purpose and the
ability to give ones best for the good
of the cause are developed; where a
slight element of physical danger
comes in-are especially valuable for
the college woman, who is expected
to make herself felt in whatever call
ing she may take up. Basketball,
more than any other game women
play, develops just such traits of
character. 1t is played with modified
rules, which eliminate unnecessarily
rough and dangerous playing, yet
preserve hard playing, rapidity and
interest. The fear that athletics will
make women masculine is unfounded
wherever the spirit of athletics is
carefully guarded.
The work of the physical training
department would seem to prove that
the college girl is healthier, happier,
stronger, more beautiful and much
more normal individual because of it.
She is much less hysterical, more less
given to "crushes," and ore ready
to deal sensibly with heavy response
bilities. 1t would also seem to prove
that if a student has fairly good prep
aration and Is not too stupid, she
need not break down in college; on
the contrary, she will leave it stronger
physically as well as mentally.