Amazing success of the Athletic Department's conditioning program in improving the physical efficiency ratings of Freshmen who couldn't reach the College average in Step Tests taken in September, was shown by the re-check of these Freshmen last month.

In September, Dr. Lucion Brouha, developer of the Step Test, found that out of 739 Freshmen tested there were 330 who couldn't reach 76, the average of the College population based on the scores of 2200 students. The average of this group of 330 was 63, ranging from 20 to 75, while the average of all 739 Freshmen tested was 72.

Special Work for Low Scorers

The Athletic Department decided to give this low group some special attention to bring up their efficiency ratings. In November, Freshmen between 50 and 75 were told to report for conditioning classes four times a week; and those under 50 were put in special exercise classes four times a week.

Before this November notice, these Freshmen were free to exercise as they saw fit. Then from the latter part of November to early December they were trained by Assistant Director of Physical Education Norman Fradd, and his staff.

The improvement in this short time was nothing less than sensational. Out of the 330 who hadn't been able to score above 75 in September, 128 could now do so. And 254 had improved their fitness by an average gain of 11 points on the Step Test. The average for the group was now 71, ranging from 30 to 95, instead of 63, ranging from 20 to 75, in September.

Fradd, in his conditioning work, stressed exercises which involved the large trunk muscles--bending and streching in the prone, supine, and sitting positions.