The Need for Physical Fitness

 

Large numbers of pupils now enrolled in high schools will enter into
service in the armed forces and wartime industry in the immediate future. In
addition to the boys who will be called to some form of scorvice. it has been
estimated that by the end of 1943, 6,000,000 women will be employed in war pro-
duction, many of whom will be drawn from the high school ags group. hese
youth must be fit in order to render effective service. They must be fit not
only from the standpoint of technical skill and morale, but olso physically fit,
which means that they must have the strength, skill, stamina and endurance re-
quired for active service and hard work,

my and Navy officers have stated that larze numbers of the young
men inducted into military service whoso physical cxaminations roveal no serious
physical defects, lack development, skills, strength and.endurance to such a
degree that the program of military training is retarded for several months
while the recruits are being built up physically.

It is comnon knowledge among physical education instructors in high
schools and colleges thet large numbers of their mole students are weak, have
poor coordination, csnnot climb a rope, carry a burden equal to their own weight,
or vault out of a trench the height of their chests. he poor physical condi-
tion of tho majority of Amcrican younz people is a serious handicap in training
soldiers, sailors and airmen, end interferes with the maximum industrial and
agricultural production.

The Nature of Physical Fitness

 

A porson who is physically fit for military or navel service must be
capable. of maintaining sustained effort with a maximum of speed and skill. This
means that one must have strength, stamina, cndurance, and zood coordination.
Speed, agility and flexibility in movement are important factors in skill.

There are several conditions that affect the development and mainten-
anes of a desirable level of physical fitness. Participating regularly in a
rational program of physical education has been demonstrated to be one of the
most important elements thet contributes to physical fitness. Other significant
factors that influence physical fitness arc physical defocts, communicable dis=
ease, accidents, nutrition, personal hcalth habits, and environmental conditions,

The development of physical fitness through the use of physical educa-
tion activitics demands vigorous participation over protracted periods of time.
An individual must press his effort until it hurts. This means that he mst
not stop at the first sign of fatigue, but continuo his exertions until he is
tired.

Preparation for service during war times demonds that boys must learn
to swim long distances while fully clothed and carrying equipment; they must be
able to keep themselves afloat for many hours. Arm and shoulder strength must
be developed so that they can climb dovm ropes or scale walls while carrying
heavy loeds. The ability to take hard falls without serious injury must be
developed. In combative activities it is necessary to stress delivering their
energy in ea quick explosive effort rather than feintins, parrying snd maneuver-
ing. Games and sports must develop a spirit of aggresive attack and ability to
take physical punishment without flinching. For industriel groups, which are
far greater numcrically then the armed forces, physical strength and stamina are
needed to spsed up work for longer hours without absences which would slow
production.