SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1939, Page 7

SCHOOL ATHLETICS

PHYSICAL OVERSTRAIN IN YOUNG PERSONS. A matter deserving discussion no less than the question of mental overstrain in homework is that of physical overstrain of young’ persons in athletics, writes a correspondent to a London journal. Athletic exercises,' and particularly running without carefully graduated training, are condemned by .ill reputable authorities. As Sir Arthur MacNalty has remarked: “The spirit of a boy is often finer than his physique. and unless care is taken that his exercises are graduated according to his strength, he may, even though his training’ is entirely voluntary, overexert his physical powers.” Longdistance running for boys involved particular dangers. The English Board of Education has wisely indicated its necessary conditions in a booklet. After pointing out the need for general training before preparation for particular events, it goes on to distinguish between running and racing in distance running, and tc declare that racing for the untrained may be decidedly harmful. Beginners whose only form of training is received during the weekly gymnastic lesson, it says, should not be allowed to take part in competitive events of a quarter-mile and upwaid until adequately prepared. The reference to cross-country running is unequivocal. "It cannot be too strongly emphasised." says the Ministry, “that youths and men without running experience or training should not be taken over long stretches of country for an annual cross-countrj' run or paper chase." Such methods involve not only the danger of physical harm. As Mr R. M. N. Tisdall points out in "The Young Athlete.” they are also calculated to spoil a boy's chances of developing into a first-class athlete in adult life.