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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Volume 31, Number 20. September 3, 1968

From The Gym

From The Gym

"St Simeon Stylites furnishes a most remarkable picture of the desert anchorite. He bound a rope around his body so tightly that it became embedded in the flesh, which putrefied around it. Worms found their way into the fiesh of ulcers that covered his leg. For a year, during which he stood on one foot, he had an associate by his side who picked up the worms which fell from his body to replace them in the sore."

Our understanding of bodily health and hygiene has improved considerably since the days of St Simon Stylites. We no longer regard the body as a hindrance and cultivate the mind at the expense of the body. In fact, the concept of mind and body as separate entities is no longer acceptable The persistence of these ideas, however, is still noticeable in the manner in which the University Gymnasium is used. John Donne said "My body is a prison". Pope Paul asked "Who will deliver me from this body of flesh?" and Eisia remarked "All flesh is grass, and grass withereth and the flower diedieth." In reality the mind and the body are so closely integrated that one could not exist without the other. Man is an organic unity: a highly developed and co-ordinated whole. When we learn, we learn through all of our senses and I believe that muscle sense (kinethesis) is particularly important and often overlooked. Through this sense much information about size, shape, weight, texture and so on, is conveyed to the brain. If for any reason, the effectiveness of this sense is reduced, our perception of the world around us is correspondingly reduced.

I am aware that many people find any form of vigorous physical activity quite distasteful and to them the very mention of the term "physical fitness" is abhorrent. Most of us are products of a secondary school physical education system which lends to over-emphasise team games, which tends to cater for people who are physically proficient and which limits individual choice very effectively. The Physical Welfare Service, however, provides a wide choice and caters for individual activities as well as team games. The Service also aims to cater for the inept performer as well as the "star".

With finals last approaching, attendance at the Gymnasium is tending to diminish and people are spending more time in the library or elsewhere. Perhaps this is not surprising but it does indicate a lack of understanding about the advantages of maintaining good levels of physical fitness. Some recent research in the area of physical performance related to academic performance shows that there may be a very close link between the two. A link, hitherto, not fully understood or appreciated. Doornink found that students at Oregon University with the lowest Physical Fitness Index (PFI) compared unfavourably with students who had a high PFI He reports that students with low PFI ratings had less chance of winning academic scholarships, successful graduation, being elected to positions of responsibility and winning awards and prizes. "Not only were the students at the high end of the PFI scale superior in all comparisons but they were markedly superior to an astonishingly high degree." Other research indicates that regular participation in vigorous physical activities is in no way detrimental to academic performance and in fact it may aid relaxation and sustained application.

Another factor which should be widely known (but is not) is the phenomenon of 'central fatigue'. This term refers to the lack of oxygenated blood going to the brain and the resultant feeling of sleepiness. The return of venous blood to the heart, depends to a large extent on muscular movement to overcome the effect of gravity. When sitting for extended periods the urge to stretch, change position, yawn or wriggle is an automatic bodily reaction to increase the return of venous blood. It is a natural and necessary reaction and maintaining a fixed position for periods longer than fifteen minutes increases the need to improve circulation. The lack of oxygenated blood going to the brain results in drowsiness and may induce complete sleep. A visiting American physical educationalist remarked recently that he did not mind talking to an audience that constantly moved and yawned because he realiised that people who did this were not being inattentive, they were merely overcoming "central fatigue" and therefore were more able to appreciate his lecture. It is now generally accepted that a high level of general fitness can delay the onset of central fatigue, and fitness can only be ahcieved through regular vigorous exercise. Fitness can be defined as the ability to perform a task without undue fatigue and to recover quickly from effort.

I urge all students to take advantage of the gymnasium facilities during the remainder of the year. We cannot offer a swimming pool (though there are definite thoughts to build one) but we can offer a third term bus service from the Library to the Freyberg Pool. We cannot provide Squash (we hope to have courts soon) but Badminton is an admirable substitute. We do not have facilities for physiotherapy but we can provide clean towels and suitable clothing. The Gymnasium is not heated but it is clean and three members of staff can help you to use all the facilities effectively.

Frequently, a degree is testimony to a person's ability to withstand monumental boredom. If you suffer from ennui (mental weariness from lack of occupation or interest) come over to the Gym (just past the Rankine Brown) and partake in some gentle or energetic recreation. Throw off the debilitating effects of sedentary living for a while and return to your books with improved circulation.

— R. Stothard