Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Science
Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)
Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Diet; Hygiene
Golf is no longer a rich man's game. The large cities have public links.
For an office man it is a splendid game. Women can play it with equal
benefit. The full vigorous strokes, followed with a walk after the ball,
then more strokes, exercise the entire body. It is good for young and
old, and for people in all walks of life.
Tennis is splendid for some people. Those who are very nervous and
excitable should play at something else, for they are apt to play too
hard and use up too much energy. Overexercising is just as harmful as
excesses in other lines. Tennis requires quickness and is a good game
for those who are inclined to be sluggish, for it wakes them up.
Horseback riding is also a fine exercise. The companionship with an
intelligent animal, the freedom, the fresh air, the scenery, all give
enjoyment of life, and the constant movement acts as a most delicious
tonic. There is only one correct way to ride for both sexes, and that is
astride. The side saddle position keeps the spine twisted so that it
takes away much of the benefit to be derived from riding. Out west the
approved manner of riding for women is astride. The women of the west
make a fine appearance on horseback.
Tramping is possible for all. If there are hills to be climbed, or
mountains, so much the better. Put on old clothes and old shoes and have
an enjoyable time. Fine apparel under the circumstances spoils more than
half of the pleasure.
Playing ball or bicycle riding may be indulged in with benefit. It is
not fashionable to ride on bicycles today, yet it is a pleasant mode of
covering ground, and if the trunk is kept erect it is a good exercise.
Jumping rope, playing handball, tossing the medicine ball and sawing
wood are good forms of exercise and great fun. The spirit of play and
good will easily double the value of any exercise that is taken.
Dancing is also good if the ventilation is adequate and the hours are
reasonable.
Under various conditions vicarious exercises are valuable, and by that I
mean such forms of exercise as massage, osteopathic treatment or
vibratory treatment. If anything is wrong with the spine, get an
osteopath or a chiropractor. They can help to remedy such defects more
quickly than anyone else. They are experts in adjustments and thrusts.
Some people take exercises while lying in bed or on the floor. One good
exercise to take while lying on the back is to go through the motions of
riding a bicycle. Another is to lie down, then bend the body at the
hips, getting into a sitting position; repeat a few times. Another is to
face the floor, holding the body rigid, supported on the toes and the
palms of the hands; slowly raise the body until the arms are straight
and slowly lower it again until the abdomen touches the floor; repeat
several times.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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