I've mentioned Ascham's The Scholemaster previously, but I had yet to run across Elyot's The Governor, which examines the education of those who are destined to rule. He and Ascham agree on a number of points; this one caught my eye:

But in as moche as he also saithe, that he that is of good astate in his body, ought to knowe the power and effecte of euery exercise: but he nedethe nat to practise any other, but that whiche is moderate & meane betwene euery extremitie: I wil now brefely declare in what exercise nowe in custome amonge vs, maye be mooste founde of that mediocritie: and maye be augmented or mynysshed at the pleasure of hym that dothe exercise, without therby appairinge any part of dilectation or commodite therof. And in myn oppinion none may be compared with shootinge in the longe bowe, and that for sondry vtilities that come therof, wherin it incomparably excelleth all other exercise. For in drawyng of a bowe, easie & congruent to his strength, he that shoteth dothe moderately exercise his armes, and the ouer parte of his body: & if his bowe be bygger, he must adde to more strength: wherin is no lasse valiaunt exercise than in any other werof Galene writeth.

This gentleman is well worth reading, not the least evidence of which is that he gave us the word "maturity".