HE PRESENT NEED

 

Need for Physical Fitness All recent statistics show that nearly 50%

of the available young men of the U.S. are
unfit for military, naval, and air service. The present interest and
emphasis is in PHYSICAL PREPAREDNESS--for defence in army, naval, or
marine service---or in givilian service which will tax the physical
capacity and sustaining power of men in many lines of effort. Colleges
and Universities are offering courses in PHYSICAL FITNESS. High schools
and Y.M.CeAe's are organizing special training to prepare the male youths
for the work ahead. ‘iow fit are we? low can we determine the state of
Physical Fitness? Do we possess physical capacity, courage, stamina, and
ability to handle our bodies with efficiency in emergency situations?

What Do We Mean by By Physical Fitness we mean the capacity for
~ “Physical Fitness"? efficient performance in the basic requirements

of running, jumping, dodging, falling, climbing,
swimming, lifting weights, carrying loads, and enduring under sustained
effort in a variety of situations. Quick and efficient control of the
body in an emergency situation may save the life of one individual or
manye One should be able to change his position quickly to avoid capture,
fire, fiood, bombs, gas, shells, or gun=-fire. Obstacles must be overcome,
sometimes in a hurrye Speed and endurance in the fundamental locomotion
efforts are first essentials. When soldier recruits cannot, as an
average, run speedily or steadily for a long time; cannot swim if they
are trapped at a river, or pushed into a lake, or fall through the ice;
if they cannot jump over obstacles in their path, vault fences or
barricades and climb out of holes; if they cannot dodge snipers, missles,
or would be captors; if they cannot bear burdens to form barricades or
show force and power in transporting their belongings and food; if they
cannot show stamina in long hikes carrying loads-<---~-then how can any
army or body of civilians, made up of such men, survive? How fit are
we in doing these things? Would an Olympic Decathlon athlete be fit?
Would a winner of the Sigma Delta Psi key be fit? Would a football
player be fit? Would a person who scored high on the Chinning-Jumping-
Dipping test be fit?

How to Get

Physically Prepared ; tend mei.

 

Glatiyely unfit, have a,hard time

in military eaupecel? Uy pass the physical
emma to get ine Military experience is

more Supereetinge more satisfying, and relatively more safe for those

"who are fit. [ne way to gef fite-the hard way--is to go into a military

camp and do the best possible. A better way is to BEGIN NOW to learn all

possible about Physical Fitness and to cultivate that state with all the

energy available. How will we proceed? “he Physical Fitness Clinic

has been organized this year to help show you how. Regular attendance

and ernest effort will account for considerable improvement. Taking

tests of physical fitness will motivate you and show you where you are

in Physical Fitness. Self-tests, partner-tests, group tests,--all will

be used to set tasks for you to exert your strength, suppleness of body,

skill, speed and endurance. Endurance is developed only through sustained

effobt--hard enough=~long enough--so that you feel it. Each task must

tax you. Every time you "go the limit" on some physical test, you make it

essier the next time, particularly if you repeat the effort. It _is a

good idea tc keep your own records and watch your improvement. The group

calisthenics will help, if you do them day by day, but endurance events

in running, swimming, weight lifting, wrestling, boxing---begun moderately

but gradually increased in dosage---will being marvellous resultse Want to

try? The Physical Fitness Clinic is a special offering to help you get

fit--and stay fit--by cultivating the habit--lknowing how--building interest

in the idea.