Girls and Athletics / Giving a brief summary of the activity, rules and method of administration of the following games in girls' schools and colleges, women's clubs, etc.: archery, basket ball, cricket, fencing, field day, field hockey, gymnastics, golf, hand ball, ice hockey, indoor base ball, rowing, soccer, skating, swimming, tennis, track athletics, volley ball, walking, water polo, water basket ball.

by Unknown

Walking

There is a vast amount of difference between a real walk and a so-called walk. A saunter along the city streets in high-heeled pumps and clothing too restricted to allow a free stride and room for deep breathing is not a real walk, especially as it usually consists of stops, such as gazing at shop windows or sampling the confections of the various stores. A real walk is entirely different, with the walker reaping all the benefits derivable from fresh air and muscular activity. There are two kinds of real walking—non-competitive and competitive.

To deal first with non-competitive walking, which is for the sheer joy of exercise and fresh air, there are three maxims to be remembered by the walker, namely, distance, form and clothing.

Distance.—The walker should have an objective point, but the distance should never be longer than can be accomplished without extreme effort. It never pays to over-exert. When tired, the walker should rest or stop, but never give up when the tired feeling is merely imaginary. Cover up well when resting or upon stopping. The main trouble often is that an unaccustomed walker will try to keep pace with a walker of long experience. The unaccustomed walker is then apt to walk too fast, too far or too long. Be conservative in the distance at first, then increase it as your experience increases.

Form.—Many walkers fail to derive entire benefit from their exercise because they walk badly. The head should be up, shoulders erect, chest forward, so that there is plenty of room for deep breathing. How many walkers fail to breathe deeply and gloriously! How many walkers gasp for breath and puff and plod along the way! Then the arms often are allowed to swing too violently, thus wasting a lot of energy. Watch your arms; don’t let them imitate pump handles. Let them move freely but gently. The legs, of course, are kept straight; the foot should be put down so that the toe and ball of foot are on the ground a fraction of a second before the heel. Be careful that you don’t come thundering down on your heels or come down with the whole foot flat.

Clothing.—The importance of clothing is often disregarded, for the most part through thoughtlessness. The shoes worn should be comfortable—low-heeled, broad toes, a medium rubber or leather sole. The skirt should be short enough and wide enough to allow perfect freedom of stride. The clothing around the body should be loose enough to allow free play of the muscles and ample chest expansion. Dress warmly, but do not start with so much clothing that you will soon become overheated.