PHYSICAL TRAINING FOR GIRLS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1289, 7 May 1878, Page 3

PHYSICAL TRAINING FOR GIRLS.

There is some danger at the present day that the claims of intellectual education, which are being so strongly put forward, may have the effect of postponing, or of causing to be neglected, those of the care and cultivation of the bodily powers. In some respects we have rushed froma state in which too little care was given to mental development into one where intellectual work predominates. It is well that now and then a word of warning should be raised to remind ardent lovers of learning that children have bodies as well as minds, and that the bodies cannot be neglected or mismanaged without showing at no very distant interval, and in no uncertain way, the ill-effects of the treatment to which they have been subjected. From time to time we have brought before our readers the question of the importance of the physical education of girls, and we have given accounts of the gymnastic classes and of the swimming classes open to women and gi Is in Loudon and other towns. We have also made reference to the games which may be played by girls, and have noticed the fact that, in some of the b:st of our girls’ schools, regular games are instituted and practised by their pupils, with much enjoyment and success. Very little inquiry, however, is necessary to establish the fact that the practice of physical exercises, and the pursuit of anything like regulated gymnastic work, is the exception, instead of being the rule, in girls’ schools. Even those “ calisthenio ” exercises which with girls are supposed to take the place of gymnastic exercises among hoys, are far from being universally taught. The consequence of this neglect of exercise is that the muscular development of girls is much hindered, and that they grow up weak, ilacid, nervous, instead cf being vigorous, well strung, and knowing nothing of nerves but their name.

This condition of affairs is partly the result of a fear that girls may grow up to be hoydenish, and that they may lose some of the sweet grace and modesty which are so exquisite when they exist in girlhood. Partly also, the abstinence from physical exercise has been the result of dislike of trouble on the part of those who have charge of young girls. The daily walk in procession by two and two is a performance not difficult to regulate, and external order is easy to keep Again, games would necessitate play-grounds or play rooms, and schools are often far too limited in space to allow of such luxuries. It is also a matter by no means to be ignored that the fashions of clothing which parents see fit to adopt for their girls are not in the hast adapted for the carrying on of any exercise more vigorous than a somewhat languid promenade, The stays, which prevent action of the lungs and heart; the tight, high heeled, narrow pointed boots, which make walking and running impossibilities ; the tied-back skirts in vogue at the present time ; and the heavy expanded skirts of a few years ago—all equally prevent active muscular exercise.

Growing girls in healthy conditions are not destitute of those natural impulses to activity which characterise _ all young creatures. But -what can a girl do for herself who is swathed in garments that forbid activity ; who has no place ■where she may healthily exercise herself; and who is frowned at when she in any way endeavours to break away from the bonds of the conventional routine of motion.

There is a kind of exercise in which girls and women are allowed to indulge, and which takes from, instead of contributing to conditions of health. We allude to the balls and dancing parties which girls and young women are in the habit of attending under conditions that are utterly unhealthy, and at hours when, to ensure health, they ought to be resting in bed. In dresses which un cover the chest, the back, and the arms, and unnaturally compress the waist—in an atmosphere heated and rendered foul by glaring lights and the breathing of many people congregated together—hours are spent, dance after dance passes and the girls go home in the small hours of the morning fatigued, and obliged to rest far into the next day. Exercise of this kind may be called for by social txigencies; but, pursued under the circumstances indicated, it is certainly injurious to health. At the end of the London season the pale faces of girls who have had much of such exercise, show what mischief has been done ; and, of course, with girls who are still in the schoolroom, parties and gaiety of a similar kind are still more destructive of health.

The exercise which will give permanent strength, which will build up healthy bodies for girls and ultimately for women, is the exercise of the swimming bath, which brings into play all the muscles of the body, that of the gymnastic class, where, in suitable dress, and under the direction of competent instructors, exercises fitted for the strength of girls are set for them to do ; and that of the playground, where such games as fives, rackets, and lawn tennis give both amusement and ample exercise. It is to be remembered that the benefits arising from trained muscular activity are not confined to development of the muscles of the arms, legs, &0., but that all the functions of nutrition of Ihe body are aided to become effective by the help of exercise. Many of the weaknesses and much of the suffering of women would be spared to them if early physical training had given them a strength which would show itself in the vigor of the whole body. The present is a specially suitable time to urge upon parents and managers of schools the absolute necessity of regulated physical exercise for girls. With this health will not be sacrificed, even by the claims of increased study. Parents ought to urge on teachers, and teachers on parents, the importance of physical training. There is no fear that healthy exercise will make girls “ unladylike.” Perfect grace and perfect health are entirely consistent with eacli other; in fact, we can hardly conceive the one without the other. It is not so long ago as to he beyond the recollection of middle-aged people that there was a time when a certain amount of chronic illness was cons : dercel to be ladylike. To be obliged to lie down for part of every Lay, to l>e incapable of any but very slight niiscnlar exertion, to be liable to fainting fits «ud hysterical attacks with any or with no sufficient cause—all these were thought to he marks of the delicacy and fragility then detrned proper to be possessed by a lady. Fon.unately, this state of things has now passed away. Ladies who can walk well and enji V their wa I ks, and who are active, strong, a> K l helpful, are not uncommon among us— healthiness is a standard largely recognised as one to be aimed at. But that tlfis standard should he universally desired, and that its attainment should be universally aimed at, is what we greatly long to see. It is for this reason that we once again bring tho ’subject before car readers, and beg for it their •'ivucst attention.— The Queen.”