Fradd Traces Origin of University Posture Classes to War Exercise Camps--Six Weeks' Course Starts Today

N. W. Fradd, director of the Hemenway Gymnasium, who is starting his special posture classes for Freshmen today, states that a man should know how to stand properly before entering college, but that annually about 30 per cent of the entering class have to be taught the fundamentals of good body mechanics. "Part of the physical examination for Freshmen is the taking of a set of silhouette photographs from which each man's faults of posture can be determined.

Fradd traces the origin of the posture classes, which were first given at the University in 1919, to experience gained in the World War, when many men broke down under the strain of war service, and had to be built up by special exercises in camps established behind the lines in France. Exercises developed at that time proved effective in restoring health to men whose faulty body balance was responsible for a low grade of health.

The surprising fact about the classes, Fradd says, is that while all the men groan under the heavy exercises devised to correct the hollow chests and sagging spinal columns, many of the men ask permission to continue longer than the required six week period. The results of the exercises apparently justify the effort, and some men have reported to Fradd of their own accord during the greater part of a year.

About 20 Freshmen will report today in the classes from 2 to 5 o'clock. These men are required to take the six weeks' course of exercises, since their posture was graded D on the photographs taken in the physical examination. Another photograph will be made at the end of the course, and the Freshmen must be graded C or higher on the second photograph to satisfy the requirement.

Upperclassmen and graduate students who wish to enter these classes, which are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 2 to 5 o'clock, are welcome to do so, according to a statement issued by Fradd yesterday.