Biogravics

The effect of gravity on an exercising human is described and discussed, from the simple postures of sitting and standing, to the highly complex sports of gymnastics, golf, track and field events, etc. A new method of 'biogravic psychoanalysis' is used where the biogravic phenomenon of an exercising human, rather than the performer's psyche, is considered. Excerpt: "Gravity is the enemy of flight... presents a tragic... masculine quality. Death is a complete surrender to gravity. Life is a constant battle against it'. Biogravics is shown to have a pessimistic basis (analogous to Schopenhouer's philosophy) because of the overwhelming force of gravity, and the limited capabilities of opposing it. Most terrestrial activities include attempts to challenge gravity; this is best manifested in running where an airborne phase is present between the take off and landing phases of the act which signifies an attempt to escape the pessimistic biogravic reality. These attempts to escape gravity are, therefore, romantic pursuits and the romantic characteristics and consequences of exercise and sports are discussed in details throughout the book. Excerpt: "Each running step connotes an attempt... to fly.... In symbolic terms, running denotes an evolutionary condition situated between aquatic existence and flight... Out of the biogravic ashes created by modern technology... emerge the biogravic pioneers... who preserve and promote man's evolutionary heritage and direction'.

The dominant effect of gravity on human health and performance capabilities is emphasized by a consideration of weightlessness in space travel, and water immersion on earth where gravity does not exist, or where its effects are neutralized. These are escapists' biogravic environments (contrary to the pessimistic environment on land) which preclude the romantic challenge of gravity. A review of space flight studies shows the adverse effect of escaping gravity, resulting in a weak body and in great difficulties in readjusting back to the normal, pessimistic biogravic reality.

Physical training constitutes a romantic effort similar to other romantic undertakings such as crossing the plains, or from an evolutionary standpoint, to the early sea creatures who because of changing circumstances had to learn to live on land or perish. The harsh, romantic involvement in opposing gravity throughout the course of training results in a change in the pessimistic basis of biogravics; one learns to enjoy gravity. This phenomenon, and the resulting feeling of well being (in addition to the beneficial physiological changes) are compared with Nietzsche's concepts of 'living dangerously', 'the joyful wisdom', and his symbolic descriptions of modern man's psychological salvation by 'learning to fly' - learning to enjoy the unnatural severance from his animal past. It is proposed that the biological and psychological benefits of physical training, especially in the slowing of the aging process and in the prevention of coronary artery diseases and many forms of cancer, are related to the evolutionary relation between man and gravity. Sickness and old age are related to the pessimistic practice of ignoring gravity. Youth and health are related to the romantic practice of opposing gravity. Excerpt: 'By living dangerously with gravity, one lives to be a romantic person'.

Examples of the biogravic differences between various sports are: Swimming, where there is a complete absence of opposition to gravity; Gymnastics, constituting a return to a lost evolutionary past of life in trees, with a barely survivable biogravic reality; Excerpt: "The gymnastic ... experience is a Tarzan like feeling, a primitive sensation of jungle, aerial, existence...'; There is a semi successful defeat of gravity in horseback riding, and this is why mounted men have enjoyed a romantic reputation throughout history; In throwing, a new evolutionary change may begin with a simulation of flying. 'Secondary' biogravic activities are those where arm action is dominant usually when using tools, while the 'primary' biogravic activities of standing, walking, running or jumping are used to support the former. Examples include fencing, bowling, baseball, and field events. Excerpt: '...the unique swashbuckling... experience of fencing, into which a fighting streak is instantaneously injected when holding a sword, cannot be fully realized without... pessimistic... isometric...contact...'.

There are major biogravic differences between exercise and manual work. Manual work is characterized by repetitive motions with low energy expenditure where friction is a dominant factor, such as when cleaning, work with machines, etc, where the challenge of gravity is minimized. Only exercise and sports, by a simulation of prehistoric and primitive pasts, can result in the evolutionary-induced excitement achieved by the affirmation of our biogravic heritage.