NATIONAL MUSCLE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9529, 29 June 1909, Page 4

NATIONAL MUSCLE.

The cause of universal scientific physical education has been given a considerable impetus by the report of the Joint Committee set up at Home to consider the question. The Committee represented the War Offie-\ the Admiralty, the Education Department, fourteen universities, at:d twenty-four public schools. The committee recommended that physical education should be compulsory in ail schools, the number of lessors and their nature to be adapted to the age and physical fitness of the child, the time allotted for these exercises not to encroach on play hours, as games are considered an important part.of physical training. Three days a week should be the minimum, and where - ever possible the exercises should be practised daily. All exercises not demanding the use of apparatus should be carried out in the open air. Every child should be medically examined before he is put to the exercises, and at intervals afterwards, and particulars of the conditions of the eyes, ears, teeth, lung 3 and. heart put down in an authorised form. In all secondary and intermediate schools specially trained gymnastic specialists should be appointed, the studies of the specialist to embrace anatomy, physiology, hygiene, mechanics and the science of teaching. In elementary schools the ordinary teachers should possess a qualification in physical training. These recommendations were subsequently discussed and endorsed by an influential meeting at the Mansion House, promoted by the National League of Physical Education.