A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher SchoolsBlaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Science
A Practical Physiology: A Text-Book for Higher Schools
Blaisdell, Albert F. (Albert Franklin)
Human physiology; Physiology
In walking, the muscles of the entire body are brought into action, and
the movements of breathing and the circulation of the blood are
increased. The body should be erect, the chest thrown out, the head and
shoulders held back, and the stride long and elastic. It is an
excellent custom to add to the usefulness of this fine exercise, by
deep, voluntary inhalations of pure air.
Running is an excellent exercise for children and young people, but
should be sparingly indulged in after the age of thirty-five. If it be
accompanied with a feeling of faintness, breathlessness, and
palpitation of the heart, the exercise is too severe, and its
continuance may do serious harm. Running as an exercise is beneficial
to those who have kept themselves in practice and in sound condition.
It brings into play nearly every muscle of the body, and thus serves to
develop the power of endurance, as well as strength and capacity for
rapid movement.
Jumping may well be left to boys and young men under twenty, but
skipping with a rope, allied to jumping, is an admirable and beneficial
form of exercise. It brings into action many muscles without putting
undue strain upon any particular group.
91. Skating, Swimming, and Rowing. Skating is a delightful and
invigorating exercise. It calls into play a great variety of muscles,
and is admirably adapted for almost all ages. It strengthens the ankles
and helps give an easy and graceful carriage to the body. Skating is
especially valuable, as it can be enjoyed when other out-door exercises
are not convenient.
Every child above ten years of age should be taught to swim. The art,
once mastered, is never forgotten. It calls into use a wide combination
of muscles. This accomplishment, so easily learned, should be a part of
our education, as well as baseball or bicycling, as it may chance to
any one to save his own life or that of a companion.
In many respects rowing is one of the most perfect exercises at our
command. It expands the chest, strengthens the body, and gives tone to
the muscles of the abdomen. It is very suitable for girls and women, as
no other exercise is so well adapted to remedy the muscular defects so
marked in their sex. Even elderly persons can row day after day without
difficulty. The degree of muscular effort required, can be regulated so
that those with weak hearts and weak lungs can adjust themselves to the
exercise.
92. Bicycling as an Exercise. The bicycle as a means of taking exercise
has come into popular use with remarkable rapidity. Sharp competition
bids fair to make the wheel more popular and less expensive than ever.
Its phenomenal use by persons of all ages and in all stations of life,
is proof of the enthusiasm with which this athletic exercise is
employed by women as well as by men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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