HISTORY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - ARTE - 2025

The history of physical education begins in the mid-1800s, when Germany, Sweden, and England influenced its early development. During that century this course began to be included in the educational system.

At the beginning of the 20th century, public schools began to develop physical training programs. By 1950, more than 40 institutes had introduced classes in the field of physical education.

In most educational systems, physical education (sometimes also called physical training) is a course in which games or the exploration of movements are used to transmit physical knowledge and skills to an individual or group of people.

The term physical education also refers to any extracurricular sport or physical activity in which students participate through their school system.

Contrary to other courses, most of the work in this area is more of practical participation than theoretical study.

Physical education is based on the understanding that physical training helps the mind. These activities are recognized as a valuable and essential component of learning.

Although many cultures included training in some type of physical activity since ancient times, other cultures excluded it to include literature. Today physical activity is accepted as a necessary aspect of education.

Background

Physical education has been around since the earliest stages of society, in ways as simple as passing on basic survival and hunting skills.

Later the ancient Chinese, Indian and Egyptian civilizations had traditions of physical education, mainly carried out in sports competitions, military tactics and martial arts.

Greek and oriental influence

It is considered that the real history of physical education began with the change in the methodologies used to transmit physical abilities and, to some extent, the different intentions of the educator.

Therefore, the Greek influence is essential to understand how this discipline has evolved today.

The ancient Greeks emphasized anatomy, physical achievement, and physical abilities; for the first time in the ancient world these elements were combined with a scientific and humanistic approach to balance life.

The first literary reference to an athletic competition is preserved in Homer's The Iliad. And the ancient Greek tradition of the Olympic Games originated in the early 8th century BC. C.

As for the eastern world, the field of physical training can also be observed since ancient times. The Japanese tradition of physical exercise integrated into daily life is derived from Bushido ("the warrior's way").

The father of physical education

It is considered that the creator of this educational branch as it is known today was Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. During the 19th century, Jahn established the first gymnastics school for children in Germany.

Jahn believed that the best type of society was one that had established standards of strength and physical abilities. The first open gymnasium was opened by him in Berlin in 1811. From that moment on, the Gymnastics Association grew rapidly.

On the other hand, in England they began to play sports in a system that emphasized moral development through participation in physical activities.

The influence of these two countries was crucial to inform sport and fitness throughout the world.

Around the same time, but independent of Jahn's developments, Swedish teacher Pehr Ling was beginning to see the benefits of gymnastics.

In 1813 he developed the Central Institute of Gymnastics with the government of Sweden; This greatly favored the field of physical conditioning.

Many other European nations followed this move. First, private gymnastics schools were created.

In the early 20th century, organized sports began to spread, so public schools around the world began to develop a physical education curriculum.

Twentieth century

During the last decades of the 19th century and early 20th century, John Dewey and his colleagues promoted progressive ideas of education. These ideas challenged traditional education and led to reforms that included the introduction of physical education.

Educational psychologists, such as Stanley Hall and Edward Thorndike, supported Dewey's idea of ​​concentrating on activities during learning.

It was suggested that children's games should be recognized as an important aspect of children's development.

Throughout the 20th century through the 1950s, there was considerable growth in the inclusion of physical training in public schools.

Beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, physical education at a primary level experienced tremendous growth. All public education systems were encouraged to adopt physical education programs in their curricula.

Modern era

The main purpose of physical training can vary, depending on the needs of the time and place. Different types of physical education often occur simultaneously; some intentionally and others unintentionally.

Most modern schools around the world claim that their intention is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, abilities and values, along with the motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle in adulthood.

Some schools also require physical training to promote weight loss in students.

The activities included in these programs are designed to promote physical health, develop motor skills, and establish knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts, and strategies.

They also seek to teach students to work as part of a team or as individuals in a variety of competitive activities.

Although the physical education curriculum varies by country, most curricula are designed to allow students to have at least minimal experience in the following categories of activities:

- Aquatic

- Individual or dual sports

- Team sports

- Rhythm

- Dance

Some schools require students to change into sportswear of their choice, while others require a uniform. A specific uniform is usually worn when students join an extracurricular sports team.

References

1. Brief history of physical education. Recovered from excite.com
2. Physical education. Recovered from newworldencyclopedia.org
3. Physical education-Overview, preparation of teachers. Recovered from education.stateuniversity.com
4. History and development of physical education and sport (2015). Recovered from jamaica-gleaner.com
5. A brief history of physical education in America's schools (2014). Recovered from iowachiroclinic.com