Report on Physical Training : Submitted to the Board of Regents, June 26, 1888 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Report on Physical Training: Submitted to the Board of Regents, June 26, 1888

My study of the course of gymnasium instruction as pursued at the Military Academy has strengthened my conviction of the excel lence of the Amherst system. In their general features the two are very similar.

At West Point the instruction is confined to the fourth class, who are required to attend the gymnasium Six instead of four times a week for thirty-five instead of thirty minutes daily. Of course more time is devoted to fencing, bayonet, and broadsword exercise than would be required at a college or university. Al though from two to three hours are devoted daily on an average, the entire year through, to infantry, cavalry, and artillery drills and ceremonies, it was recognized by the authorities that the exercise obtained thereby, excellent as far as it went, was not far reaching enough in its results; that there were certain parts and muscles of the body that, to be kept in proper working order, re quired exercise of a different kind. Fencing, bayonet, and broad sword exercises have always been required, but it was not until within the past four years that the necessity was felt of adopting a regular course of gymnastics.

A skilled trainer and gymnast was selected to take charge of the gymnasium and superintend personally all exercises therein. Prior to the introduction of this regular course of gymnasium instruction-it had been thought by the War Department and by the authorities of the Military Academy that the varied daily exercises, both on horseback and afoot, incident to a military training, accomplished every desired end as regarded the physi cal development of the cadets. The results of the past four years' course of gymnastic instruction have been most fertile in lessons.

The benefits obtained therefrom have exceeded the most sanguine expectations. The improvement noticeable in the classes who have been put through the new course, compared with those who did not have the benefits of the same, has caused wide comment, and has given the new department a position of importance second to none of the required courses of the Academy. The erect carriage, grace and ease of bearing, agility in the riding hall, increased powers of endurance and capacity for work, both mental and physical, have proclaimed in no equivocal terms the excellence of the new departure. There are no Special Courses of gymnasium instruction. There is but the one Regular Course; this, for the reason that all cadets before admission are required to be perfectly sound physically. Candidates that are unequal to all or any exactions are rejected at the outset.

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