On physical training in schools / by W.P. Herringham.

  • Herringham, Wilmot Parker, 1855-1936.
Date:
[1906]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: On physical training in schools / by W.P. Herringham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    T>*e(ls has one of lier own, tlu* Army and Xavv have eacdi one, and so on. The l)asis of all is tlie Swedisli j)rineiple. The ]>u)>ils are not taught to ]H‘rfor?n feats of .strength, hut are put throiigli certain movements in order to develoj) their bodies. Tliere are hreatliing exercises to make them breatlie through the nose and exj)and tlie chest, which are given separately and in combination with others. There are head movements, to strengthen the neck muscles, arm movemei ts, trunk movements, leg movements, movements combining the trunk and arms, and the legs and arms, balance movements, and others. A certain amount of marching, turning, and forming of lines goes with them to get the children into position. The whole is excellently ada])ted to develo]> every portion of the body. This is sometimes called “ Military Drill,” or ” Physical Drill of a military character.” There is, however, nothing military about it, excej>t that, since it is an excellent method of ])hysical training, it is used in the Services. These certainly su])])ly a want, even when games are played, (iames develo]) the legs, but they have little effect on the arms, chest, or trunk. S et the.se ])arts are as valuable as the legs ; and accordingly, when, as in the Army and Xavy, the aim is to get general strength and develoj)ment, this physical drill is regularly and systematically em})loyed. There are hardly any statistics of the effect upon children of j)hysical drill. The work is so little that not much change is to be exi)ected, and the natural growth at that age is so rapid as to vitiate statistics. What few there are* tell dis- tinctly in its fav^our even so. The following were put in by Mr. Chesterton:— 40 Gauriso.n i^ciiooL Boys. months. '2 hours weekly. Avera^^es. Weight. Chest Girth. Bepins llj 7:1^ lbs. ‘JOJ ins. Knds 121 M -7J „ Uxio.v School Boy.<. O months. 2f hours weekly, .\verapes. .\ge. CheHt Girth. B^^ins 2<»| ins. Ends 12V M In the Xavy and Army there are regular records of recruits of 17 and IH years t>f age. In a group of thirty-two Xaval recruits, w hose figures I have before me, two chvs.ses, ' Ro}ul Comm, on Phys. 'I'raininif, Vol. I., App. pp. .'19 to 44 and 59.