PHYSICAL FITNESS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20728, 11 February 1939, Page 23 (Supplement)

PHYSICAL FITNESS

INCORRECT POSTURE CHAIR OF PEDIATRICS URGED (By OP.M.W.) How far does incorrect posture during schooldays influence the physical welfare of the organism? Sedentary work, carried on in a sitting posture, is harmful in spite of its light charaoter. The long muscles of the trunk contract and strain, and deep breathing becomes impossible. The abdominal and thoracic cavities contract, and the oxygen they contain is compressed. As a result, the oxygen intake is insufficient and circulation is impeded; blood tends to accumulate in the portal system and in the hands and the lower limbs. The portal system Includes the large vein carrying the blood from the diges- , tive organs and the spleen to the liver, in the tissues of which latter organ the contents of the blood-stream are broken up, thus subjecting the nutritive matter in the blood to the action of the liver-cells before it is passed into general circulation. Common Postural Defects A gradual weakening and stretching of the trunk, shoulder and abdominal muscles and of those sustaining the spinal column is the result. The consequence is fatigue, and all the ills that go wim fatigue. The trunk bends and the head sinks between the shoulders and is bowed over the table or desk, thus leading to short-sightedness and other eye troubles. The vertebral ligaments are stretched; the sitting position thus permitted causes curvature of the lower spine. The body, being bent forward, seeks support from the elbows, while the chest is pressed against the table. To obviate the strain oh the spine, it has at times been suggested that support should be provided in front by means of an adjustable board fixed to the edge of the table; but this device has not proved effective in restoring freedom of breathing and of circulation. Persian Wisdom The only effective means of preventing incorrect posture during school hours is by using the school-bench as little as possible. If the child's knees are bent, although the pelvic muscles may be relaxed, the strain is merely transferred to the lower limbs. If the knees should be straightened, tension of the spine returns. It might be possible to obviate this strain and this backward displacement of the pelvis by seating children astride a suitable seat —a practice which was insisted 1 upon in ancient Persia and Greece. Some physical fitness authorities state that the ascribing of curvature and deformation to the spine during schooldays is unjust. These defects, they maintain, originate when the child first stands upright, that is, during the •first two years of life. At any rate, ■what has been proved beyond any probable, possible shadow of doubt is that any such abnormality continues to develop during the whole period of growth; and the degree of development of such a physical fault caused by wrong posture often determines the subsequent extent of incapacity for work in childhood, adolescence or adult life. It is plain, therefore, that the necessity for the establishment of a chair of pediatrics in New Zealand is an urgent one. The considered opinion of medical and other scientists in New Zealand who are keenly interested in promoting national fitness, both physical and mental, is that such a chair would provide the logical basis of preventive medicine as a whole. WHAT’LL YOU HAVE? A temperance lecturer ended his length? speech with:— “Some people advocate total abstinence, whilst others suggest moderation. But, I ask you, my friends, what is the all-important drink question?” From the back of the hall came the reply: “What’ll you have?”