MAINTAINING YOUTH IN SERVICE
By Walter Aamold, Department of Physical Training, U. S. Naval Academy
Strange enough—it was a mariner, Ponce de Leon, who first worked up the idea of maintaining youth beyond the gay fleeting years that pass only too quickly.
Centuries before daring seamen had set out in search of the "Golden Fleece," a short cut to wealth; and in later years Cortez, in a less romantic way, actually laid hands upon such a fortune—but it remained for Senor de Leon to show the way to a greater wealth, and perhaps men are now just beginning to get a practical grip on the "atomites" that cause early age.
There must have been many a gray-haired champion of old Spain who each day tottered to the edge of the sea to lean upon a gnarly cane and search the horizon for the return of the white winged ships of hope. But like many a pioneer, Ponce never came back. However, his idea nestled dangerously close to the human heart and the old mariner's sincerity clinched a hope for time and a day—eternal youth!
Science following upon the wake of this illusionary leader has found the right spring, and a number of fundamental laws of life have been brought to the surface since 1512. The fountain of youth can be made to bubble just a little longer in the lives of men who are sincere and who hold to the rules set before them.
Now, so long as an officer may look ahead to "fogy" pay, there is some incentive for his wanting to live up to the full limit of its application—and, with a ten-year naval holiday in addition, it may be necessary for an ensign to put off old age indefinitely in order to have strength enough to grip his commission as lieutenant when it is presented him.
Man's March Across the Horizon.—A man's physical age is divided into two distinct periods: the "age of elasticity" and the "connective tissue age." Between the two there is a twilight period of variable duration, dependent upon individual characteristics. Likewise, there are two mental ages: "age of daring" and "age of conservativeness" with wind and water between.
A "connective-tissue mind" anchored to an "elastic" body arrests development to both. There are many unfortunate combinations between mind and body, and of course there are some very beneficial combinations as well.
Reversal of Conditions Afloat.—Experts have stereotyped into every language except the one that reaches a man's disciplinary conscience, that exercise is essential to elasticity. Ah!—That same old story about exercise! Humble as it is, fifteen minutes of exercise daily—goes begging.
This short period will perform two of the wonders Ponce sought—for it maintains elasticity and eliminates the factors of deposit that turn lithe muscles into stiff, shortened, dried-out fibers of the body. Exercise preserves the essentials of youth—elasticity, suppleness, tone; the foundations of grace, energy, and physical ambition. The hope, like a mariner's morning, could not be more rosy!
Officers are able to talk for hours on the life of a gun or the elasticity of steel, but in these absorbing interests do they give thought to the life of elastic usefulness that is their part in the service?
Duty afloat seems to reverse the factors of age. A careful analysis will show that conditions which age the civilian are the very ones that maintain an officer's youth.
Where a civilian drinks polluted well water, alkali combinations not fit for washing the boiler of a tug, or city water saturated with chlorine, the service has at its disposal (minus submarines and certain destroyers) properly distilled water. This comparison may be continued through air, food, sunlight—the balance always favors the officer. But—on the port hand, an officer is on duty always, his hours are made irregular by years of night watches, he is exposed to weather just as "she blows" when at sea, he is kept mentally alert for unusually long periods as commanding officer, navigator, and in the many other divisions of authority which carry direct responsibility. And, it must be admitted, too, that by virtue of an officer's social position in the nation, and the sliding scale of pay, he is often brought face to face with trying financial conditions that have no equal for bringing on gray hair.
On land a civilian stretches his legs in his daily efforts—he has clubs, golf links, recreation centers, theatres and most important of all, a home to sweep away the grit from his bread and butter.
An officer in active service sleeps and eats with his profession, and is forced to receive his domestic heritage in a weekly letter from home.
On graduation an officer enters sea service with a constitution that is as solid as the foundations of a turret; attached to his commission, however, is a little joker. Up to the day of graduation he has been a "land lubber" despite his summer cruises, and his mind is set in a land-locked way.
Graduation sends him to sea in an element only natural to fish, and he is forced to live within the covers of the regulations and pay table. The habits of relaxing, exercising, playing, are replaced by a continual alertness, very often somewhat strained; confinement and a somber dignity essential to discipline.
What has been stated is not in any way a criticism—it is but a brief outline of conditions as an officer faces them. Many of the conditions are necessary to service, and for these the nearest counter measures must be found.
Three rules may now be given:
Fifteen minutes of exercise each day.
Definite periods of relaxation.
An energetic, youthful frame of mind.
When a captain feels that he can no longer exercise at all, play golf, go hunting, or completely relax from his duties, he has become a "fixed star" and he has grown mentally old at least. If his muscles are becoming rigid, his joints stiff, eyes dim, and his carriage is settling like the keel of his ship, he is on the road to a physical old age and heroic measures are necessary.
Emerson has said that a field cannot be seen from within the field. Neither may a man see that he is growing aloof from the things which keep him young; for example an occasional dance, light banter at the table, a good night's sleep, an efficient day of work, and perhaps a game of golf or hand-ball. The morning "growl," noon "fatigue" and evening pains of "gout" are the three Furies of old age.
Fortunately, Nature in her wisdom allows faults that have extended over years to be corrected, and nothing can be more beneficial than a correct frame of mind and moderate exercise. The subject of re-building is too long to be given here, since this treats with a difficult enough subject as it is; however, a brief outline of beneficial measures, extracted from a previous article, is included herein as being directly necessary to maintaining physical fitness and mental youth.
Recent tests on officers in the postgraduate department gave evidence that officers in general suffer marked loss of strength after graduation, particularly in the largest and least actively employed muscles, with greatest defect in neck and trunk.
Not only was there a loss of actual contractile power (forerunner of connective-tissue age) but also a loss of the ability to apply muscles to their full efficiency (loss of tone). In addition to loss of muscular strength, there was a loss of habit of using these muscles which implies a loss of "form" and co-ordination. The conclusions to be drawn are self-evident: only by daily, well-regulated exercise can the personnel maintain a good standard of muscular strength and bodily efficiency.
Forms of Exercise.—The daily program of exercise should be greatly varied. In the case of the man of middle age, whose heart, lungs and muscles have habituated themselves to a certain range and rhythm, there must be reasonable care, not so much in the kind of exercise indulged in, but rather in the strain involved and duration of strain.
All-Around Participation.—It is better to become interested in an all-around group of sports and exercises than to specialize in one particular branch. The man who concentrates on one subject is very apt to become engrossed in its competitive features and the worry of winning and depression of defeat often become factors which destroy the benefits of the exercise.
Over-Fatigue and Normal Fatigue.—Fatigue which lasts beyond the next day, or which brings about a rise in temperature and bodily discomfort has been excessive. If it is localized in the muscles used and passes away by the next morning, it is to be encouraged.
Rope Skipping.—This exercise is for developing the arms, legs, lungs and trunk muscles and is excellent in bringing about good co-ordination. Skip three one-minute rounds. Always skip on the toes and vary the footwork as desired.
Relaxation Exercises.—Stretching exercises and exercises in which the movements are free, aid in developing and overcome the stiffening and shortening of muscles, a condition often known as "being muscle bound." Hang free from the deck, swing trunk and legs; then stand on deck and swing arms loosely, twisting shoulders, head and trunk without resistance. All relaxed moves are excellent for keeping the body supple.
Medicine Ball.—Throwing the medicine ball develops the muscles of the back, shoulders and arms, and is excellent in relieving constipation. Throw ball from various positions for three rounds of two minutes each.
Posture.—There is a natural tendency to laziness of posture in standing and walking which can only be overcome by a determination to live up strictly to the best form and to give constant attention to corrective measures. The average posture is faulty, and an ideal posture can not be obtained without careful training and discipline.
A faulty posture brings about pressure against the base of the brain, throws the vital organs out of position and permits a weakening of trunk muscles to a serious extent. The most noticeable faults are: drooping head, neck bent forward, unequal shoulders, rounded upper back with exaggerated dorsal curve (kyphosis), compensated lumbar curve to offset upper curve (lordosis), possibly lateral curvature of spine, hips drooped forward, protruding abdomen, flat feet, and most frequent of all errors—flat chest.
Corrective Exercises.—Constant attention to correcting parts out of line. Deep breathing combined with an effort at chest lifting. Add arms raising forward and upward during inhalation, sideways and downward during exhalation.
Mental Exercises.—Mental relaxation for at least an hour each day. Change point of interest by taking part in golf, hunting, fishing, winter sports, or an avocation that demands full attention of the mind for a short period each day.
Above all there must be the same faith that inspired Ponce de Leon to cross the world for the ideal he sought.