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eleven and best health was the people not discipline life such appetites games up athletics
The most obvious use of athletics is in connection with physical health. Athletics harden the muscles, expand the lungs, and make body strong and fit. They may not be necessary for men whose daily work is manual labour. Still, for students and in sedentary occupations, a certain amount of physical exercise is essential, and such exercise is best taken in the form of and athletic sports.
Manly games, like hockey and football, give a man pluck and courage. So, naturally, timid boys should play games to become more manly.
Moreover, they teach self-control. No man can be a good athlete who does not control his . He cannot eat and drink what he likes, or sleep as long as he wants, or he will become "soft". Athletics only harden his muscles but strengthen his willpower.
Lastly, they teach men to work together and encourage corporate discipline. A football has to learn "teamwork", and each player realises that he must often efface himself for his side's good. It takes some and self-denial to pass the ball to another player when you would like the glory of kicking a goal yourself. Hence, is a part of the preparation for life's work. There is some truth in the saying that the battle of Waterloo won on the playing fields of Eton.
But athletics may be abused. When used excessively, they can harm rather than help one's . And excessive muscular exertion weakens the heart, thereby shortening life.
In schools and colleges, games and athletic sports often take much of the time and attention that should be given to study. It is well known that, as a rule, the athletes are the worst students.
Athletics should be a recreation. But when games and sports become the chief interest of life are elevated into a serious profession, they do more harm than good, by taking the place of the real work of .