Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 57, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1918 — OARSMEN ARE BEST TYPE OF ATHLETES [ARTICLE]

OARSMEN ARE BEST TYPE OF ATHLETES

Records Show Men of Water Sport Retain Natural Vigor Professor Young of Cornell Blame* Spontaneous Exertion for Bad Re* suite—Length of Race Given as Objectionable. ! The records in the department of physical culture at Cornell university do not show that any of the oarsmen who have rowed in Courtney’s crews have ever suffered from heart trouble brought on by rowing. In fact. Prof. Charles V. P. Young, head of the physical department, asserts that the Cornell oarsmen, physically, are the best type of men developed. He says that enlargement of the heart caused by athletics is not itself a danger and does not think that the contention that rowing injures the heart is sound. Danger From Rowing. In refutation Mr. Young presents the following argument: “The danger from rowing, as from most other strenuous forms of activity, comes from the improper preparation and too sudden discontinuance of active exercise. From my observation of its effects upon Cornell oarsmen I should say that physically they are the best type of men turned out and the statistics which are available, if they be desired, corroborate this statement. These statistics will also prove in a great measure that the oarsman has the promise of longer life than the average student. “In this connection it might be mentioned that at the fortieth anniversary of the founding of Cornell university every member of her first victorious, crew of ’75 was present and looked fit to take his place in the boat and compete with any crew of similar age which might be gathered together. Length of Race Objectionable. “To my mind the objection to intercollegiate rowing, as at present conducted, is the length of the race. While the same danger arises from a two or three-mile race, if not properly prepared for, the period of training need not be so extended, and I think all thecoaches connected with rowing, Mr. Courtney among the number, are as one in saying that the present distance of four miles requires too longand arduous, a period of training for those who are supposed to be attending the institution primarily for study. “That is where the commercial element enters into rowing, as in other collegiate sports, for the only reason I have heard for the continuing of the-four-mile race at Poughkeepsie is that more people will go to see a race of that distance than a three-mile race.”'