The Cairo bulletin., 1907-07-30
A WOMAN'S EXERCISE
DANCING TAKES FIRST PLACE
SAYS AN EXPERT.
Physical Reasons Why Exercises
Suited for Men Are Not Adapted
to Women---Gracc should BE Wo-
mans Aim In Exercise.


Should women be encouraged TO
take part In competitive athletics
and sports?" DR.. Luther II. Gulick,
president Of the American Physical
Education Association and head Or
the department Of physical education
in the public schools OF New York
repeated the question thoughtfully
There is womans problem in
exercise as there is In many other
things" he went on Fortunately,
with reference to exercise the differ
ences between men and women are
moro tangible and we know the facts
upon which those differences rest
better than we know those in con
neetion with political organization.
for example.
Years ago when | was beginning
this work believed that the differ
enee between men and women was
caused by the difference in their
training, no longer have any such
idea. | know that the physique Of
men and Of women differed IA the
beginning man to be the fighter,
the protector, woman for mother
hood,
But this is only the beginning Of
the argument, Women are shaped
differently from men At an ouaal
height and weight a mans shoulders
are broader than womans ~
that in every form Of gymnastics or
athletics which depends on leverage
and strength of shoulders the man
will excel even if he is not muscular
Iy stronger than the woman.
A further handicap is placed on
woman in the size Of her hips. Her
trunk also Is longer Therefore Ia
an gymnastic work in which the
weight OF the body is held By the
arms such as work on the parallel ana
horizontal bars, a woman has to sup
port the bulk OF her weight further
from the bar than does a man, Her
center OF gravity is lower.
These physical facts do not differ
entiate all men from all women, her
cause there are exceptional men who
have shoulders and hips such a are
usually seen on women; and 'ica
versa, we occasionally find women
who are muscularly stronger than
most men, women whose bones have
the beverage that belongs to men
But ! am speaking OF the average.
when we come 70 severe tests Of
endurance we find that woman Is not
less handicapped In proportion she
has decidedly smaller lungs. the
red corpuscles in her blood are also
smaller than those OF the man, 50
their carrying capacity of oxygen is
less
ssrhe mniaht Of a woman'a body in
proportion to her breathing powe is
much greater than that OF a mans.
For this reason she cannot compete
with him in running, any more than |
she can compete with him in feats Of 1
strength,
''The athletic exercises and games .
best suited to women are moderate /
anal graceful, not those involving 7
and strain all forms
IF callisthenics and light gymnastics
archery, lawn tennis. swimmir& field \
hockey, lacrosse, bicycling, rowing
golf, skating fencing, and
In all athletic exercises
n which women engage good form
should be required rather than rec
,rds.
Women may be excused for not
)eing as strong and enduring as men,
81 they cannot be excused for not
1eing more finished and graceful
Good carriage. perfect poise, self
and exquisite grace and re-
lnement should enter into womcn's |
athletic performances
But. as I said before, for physical
leyelopement / prefer moderate and
graceful exercise without the spirit
II competition and strain. Women
leeds vigorous exercise less than
nan, and she profits by It less. Wo-
nan stands continuous work far be-
ar than man. and she profits more
han man by mild exercise extended
,vcr lcl urEals.
'3Fsiaia means mo to women
han 10 mcn Dancing above an
orms of exercise is best suited to ]
gomon.