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SATURDAY, JANUARY 23 ONTARIO TODAY Are We Too Soft To Compete? Soft living and flabby muscles could be our ruin in a tough struggle for survival. BY LLOYD he governments of the United States and Canada (and many sections of the general public) are concerned with the apparent lead, Russia has built up in space rocket and missile development. This, without doubt, is justified. However, little concern has been Ontario, as elsewhere in Canada, fact that the Russians, and other Communist dominated countries, are even further ahead in their work with probably the most impor- tant machine of all -- the human body. The Communists have been quick to realize the role which fitness can play in building work- energy, morale and physical and emotional stamina. These things are the very essence of vitality and enthusiasm, of the ability to en- dure and thus they can be classified as ex- tremely important prequisites of any long term war (cold or hot). It appears that the Russians have taken to heart these words of Rudyard shown 1n about the Kipling: Nations have passed away and left no traces And history gives the naked cause of it. One single, simple reason in all cases: They fell because their peoples were not fit! History also teaches that when passive en- tertainment and recreation develops, when slave labor (or automation) begins, when the stan- dard of living goes up -- fitness goes out the window, unless positive action is taken to re- tain it. Many civilizations of the past crumbled only when, because of their conquests, they were able to hire others to fight for them, spend their time dreaming up new and tasty dishes and fermented beverages and had slaves (we have automation) to do their work for them. PERCIVAL These days we have a car in every garage to keep us sedentary. The ancients who grew soft had a chariot in every courtyard. I am concerned with the fact that at pre- sent we in North America are not only far more sedentary than the Russians but we are doing far less about correcting the problem. In Russian schools there is one hour of physical education every day and two-three hours of sports after school. Here in Ontario we have two forty minute periods of physical education each week and only 119% of our students are regularly active in sport! Business, industry and government offices in Russia are now scheduling fifteen minutes of required exercise every morning and after- noon--and each firm or agency has its sports club. Unless you count chasing secretaries around the desk we get no required exercise. Physiologists will tell you that if you sit quietly long enough even your bones will dis- solve. This is important but what seems to me just as important is that when our fitness dissolves so does our resolve, mental toughness and morale. Incidentally,in Ontario, where we have a high urban population, our fitness standards are the lowest in the country. It has been said that whenever a Russian government official in Ottawa needs a lift to his morale he goes out and watches what hap- pens when we Canadians have to run for a bus or streetcar. It is poor solace for me to think that our brain power is equal to any challenge because even our "brains" might well fall apart if not fit enough to stand the stress, strain and added responsibility and pressure that appears an inevitable part of the future. : Here's an exercise all young Canadians should find easy -- but do they? PAGE THREE Mr. Percival directs Sports College Prince Philip Said It, Too During this year's Royal Visit to Canada, Prince Philip made a strong plea for a national program of physical fitness. It was not aimed specifically at Canada, since he referred to English-speaking nations in general, but his remarks were particularly apt in this country. There have been vague plans for such a program in Canada, before and after the Prince's speech. Military men have deplored what they called the softness of Canadian Prince Philip at the Tiller youth, basing their observations on the poor physical condition of a high percentage of young men seeking enlistment in the army, navy and air force. Leading sports figures have urged the government to subsidize a campaign to promote participation-sports. Proposals for subsidies have sparked hot arguments over the desirability of government aid to sports. Opponents suggest that the money should be used "for brains instead of brawn" or that the government funds would simply produce talent for professional sports. Totalitarian states can enforce programs of physical fitness. In free nations the individual citizen must be willing to take part in such programs. The problem: to interest people who enjoy a high living standard in physical exercise.