Yale University Gymnasium,
New Haven, Conn., April 6, 1904.
To Professor Russell H. Chittenden,
Director of the Sheffield Scientific School, Yale University,
New Haven, Conn.
Dear Sir,—I hand you herewith a report of the physical training of the squad of soldiers sent by you to the Yale Gymnasium.
These men have taken one hour’s exercise daily for six months, Sundays excepted,—October 1, 1903, to April 1, 1904.
Before beginning the bodily development of the men we measured each one and took what are known as the American Collegiate Strength Tests. These measurements and tests have been taken twice each month. For details as to measurements and methods of testing the strength of the body, see the “Notes” attached to this report.
The members of the squad were called to the floor each morning as soon after nine-thirty as they could don the required suit. For twenty minutes they were put through a series of setting up exercises and body-building movements; then followed exercises on the apparatus, such as bars, rings, ladders, etc. This was followed by a jump or game.
The exercises were progressive as to duration, force, extent, and number of movements. At the end of the six months the men were being put through gymnastics that were exacting and fatiguing. As the progression was carefully made, the men did not suffer from soreness to any marked degree. By way of comparison it may be said, the gymnastic training given the soldiers was much more severe than is given to the Freshmen of Yale in their required physical training. Perhaps the Varsity Crew are “put through” as rigid gymnastic training as any of the athletes in college, so we copied the exercises taken by oarsmen in order to “try out” the soldiers. This work was easily taken by all the “Dieters,”—no complaint, so far as I know, having been entered.
The improvement in accuracy and grace of movement has been noticeable, while there has been a gain in skill as well.
I do not consider these men, as a body, well put up. They did not rank favorably with applicants for policeman or fireman and were noticeably timid in exercises that called for courage. In the vault over a fence there was a very marked fear. This was the poorest and least satisfactory test of all we made. At the end of the six months the hesitancy to vault had entirely disappeared, the event being looked upon by the men as a “cinch.”
The gain in self-reliance and courage has been as evident as the increase in the figures of the strength test. I consider this a valuable acquisition as it stands for a good body condition. Among athletes, especially gymnasts, a weakened or tired body is made known by fear or uncertainty. Our students, as well as professional athletes, admit this.