Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1913-03-18

n
siye system Of physical training can
be considered safe or rational in
which these ends arr not clearly
recognized and intelligently provided
for-thru the adoption Of its exer-
eisss to the varying wants and re-
ouirements of the individuals to be
trained. in resp sct to their sex, age,
strength. mental capacity and calling
in life.
The results which should be Sc
cured by such a system are these:
Erect and graceful carriage OF the
head and trunk; broad, deep and
eapacious chest in which the heart
and lungs, developed to their normal
size and strength, shall have free,
full and regular play; square sh9ul-
ders. a straight back, fully devel-
oped and we'll rounded limbs and the
power to execute with ease, preci-
sion and economy of force, such move
meuts as are involved in the simpler
exercises of strength, speed and skill
in ordinary gymnastic and athletic
feats.
There is this criticism, however,
to be presented regarding the Swed-
ish syste m: IL possesses too much
of the educational and not enuf of
the recreative. The average man
needs exercise to rest his mind and
work his body, whereas in the
Swedish movements a man must
necessarily expend a tremendous
amount of brain power. For purely
educational ends no system of ply
steal training has yet b1en devised
which is the equal of the Swedish
school gymnastics.
The accompanying paragraphs
give a splendid illustration of move
ments of the Swedish system as
taught at the United States Naval
Academy. Here it has been tried
and with success to a marked de-
gree. Ii possesses the necessary
requisites that a system used in a
military school should possess, name
~. the movements that are correc-
tive, exacting and educational. All
Swedish movements are character
izedas by a tenseness, yet without
strain, that demands combination of
nervous and muscular control
Examinations are taken of each
student twice a year, and it has been
found in many cases that students
have increase in bodily strength two
thousand pounds during a period
of six months. No better recon-
mendation of the Swedish system
could be found than in the daily
drill at the Academy:
The Swedish system of physical
training was inaugurated three years
ago at the Naval Academy and has
been used with marked success.
Since its inauguration many notice
able improvements have been seen
in the Midshipmen as to carriage of
the body, elasticity of step and
bodily strength. The strength test
is given the Ilebe upon entering
and again in the middle of the acs-
demic year. and in some cases a gain
Of 2, 900 poun Is in total strength has
been noted.
Eighty hours are dvote ed to physi
cal training Turing the academic
year, of which sixteen hours are
given to the first class, sixt zen hours
to the second class, twenty hours to
the third class and twenty-eight
hours to the fourth class, a. follows:
First Class--Five hours and twenty
minutes, mass drill; one hour and
twenty minutes, Indian clubs; one
hour and twenty minutes, dumb bells /;
two hours, lesson making Swedish
system) to hours, boxing; two hours,
wrestling; two hours, apparatus !;
total, sixteen hours.
Second Class--Five hours and
twenty minutes, mass drill; one hour
and twenty minutes, Indian clubs );
one hour and twenty minutes, dumb
bells; two hours, boxing; two hours,
wrestling: two hours, apparatus; !;
two hours, saber; total, sixteen
hours.
Third Class-Five hours and forty
minutes, mass drill; one hour and
forty minutes, Indian clubs; one hodr
and forty minutes dumb bells; two
hours. boxing: two hours. wrestling;
two hours, apparatus; two hours,
foil; two hours, swimming; total,
twenty hours.
Fourth Clqss--The same branches
are taught as to the third class, only
more time (ewenty-eight hoUrs) is
allotted aud greater care given to
form and general corrective work
This work does not include the
rigorous training given them during
the plebe summer, when every day
an hour is devoted to physical
training.
Besides the mass drill all, appa-
ratus work, fencing, wrestling, swim
ming. etc. are taught accoding TO
the Swe lish system. By this system
as bv no other can correctness of
form and precision of execution be
emphasized, as each distinct move
ment is executed by a command, the
modulation Of the voice in giving the
word OF command regulating ths
speed of the movement.
The Swedish system has proved TO
be so highly satisfactory that it is
being introduced into the feet aboard
ship. A school of instruction has
been started at the Academy, and a
class of petty officers is being pre-
pared to 60 aboard the various ships
and instruct the sailors. All mid
shipmen of the first class are taught
the Swedish system and the art of
lesson making, the art where BY
systematic progression In the work
of physical training is obtained