Why do we teach gymnastics? / by Jakob Bolin.

  • Bolin, Jakob, 1863-1914.
Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Why do we teach gymnastics? / by Jakob Bolin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ism. Not only can we regulate the absorption of oxygen and the elimination of the respiratory excreta....” In the body of the book, speaking of breathing exercises conjoined with various arm movements, the author also says that the enhanced respiratory activity is in con- siderable excess of what the exercises themselves would induce, and furthermore that the blood is kept in a high state of oxygenation and with a low percentage of COs. I firmly believe that it is the general opinion among both Swedish and German gymnasts that mechanical rhyth- mic motions of the arms in definite directions, called by the Swedes Respiratory movements, will assist the ex- change between the air, the blood, and the tissues. I take the opportunity to deny, in behalf of the Swedish gymnasts, that they consider the greatest value of these exercises to lie in the improvement of the respiration. The main function of these exercises, according to them, is to improve the venous and lymphar return. I de- plore that Posse has, in the synopsis on page 257 of his book, apparently given support to a wrong impression of the teachings of the Swedes. But this wrong impres- sion is, to a great extent, removed by himself because he begins with an exposé of the influence on the circula- tion, passes over to the improvement of the lung tissue itself and of the respiratory muscles, and comes in the third place to deal with the changes taking place in the respiration. Of these he says: “As respiration grows deeper, the tidal volume of air in- creases, and more blood passes through the pulmonary vessels in the same given time. As a result a greater amount of oxygen will be taken into the blood; more energy will be supplied to the body; the metamorphosis of tissue will be increased...... Also at exhalation the increased tidal volume carries with it a greater amount of carbon dioxide.and water, so that some of the most
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