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Foundations
Trace the history of physical education, exercise
science, and sport from earliest times to the
present.
Identify events that served as catalysts for
physical education, exercise science, and sport’s
growth.
What are recent developments in physical
education, exercise science, and sport?
The Field of Sport History
Emerged as a subdiscipline in the late 1960s
and early 1970s.
“… field of scholarly inquiry with multiple and often
intersecting foci, including exercise, the body, play,
games, athletics, sports, physical recreations, health,
and leisure.” (Struna)
How has the past shaped sport and its experiences
today?
1973: North American Society for Sport History held
its first meeting.
Sample Areas of Study...
How did urbanization influence the development of
sports in America?
How did the sports activities of Native Americans
influence the recreational pursuits of the early
colonists?
How have Greek ideals influences the development of
sportsmanship?
Ancient Nations: China
Influence of isolation due to topography and Great Wall
Influence of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism which
stressed the contemplative life
Physical activity meant individual freedom of expression, which
was contrary to the ancient teachings.
Con Fu gymnastics: To keep the body in good organic
condition and ward off certain diseases caused by inactivity.
Activities: wrestling, jujitsi, boxing, ts’ u chu, ch’ui wan,
shuttlecoach, and kite flying
Ancient Nations: India
Strong religious influence of Buddism and Hinduism.
Focus on spiritual needs, not the needs of the body and
worldly things.
Buddism emphasized right living and thinking, including
self-denial, to help the soul reach a divine state.
Activities
Yoga, throwing, tumbling, chariot races, riding
elephants and horses, marbles, swordsmanship,
dancing, wrestling, foot races
Ancient Nations: Ancient Near East
Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Syria, Palestine, and
Persia
believed in living a full life, including engaging in physical activity
Influence from the military to build a stronger army
Emphasize strength, stamina, endurance, agility for imperialistic
means, not for the individual.
Activities
Gymnastics, horsemanship, bow and arrow, water activities,
wrestling, jumping, hunting, fishing, physical conditioning for
strength and stamina
Greece
“Golden Age” of physical education and sport
Striving for perfection, including physical
development
Vital part of the education of every Greek boy
“Exercise for the body and music for the soul”
Gymnastics - courage, discipline, and physical well-
being, a sense of fair play, and amateurism
National festivals
Greece - Sparta
Main objective of physical education and sport was to build a
powerful army.
Individuals were subservient to the state and required to defend
the state against enemies.
Women and men were required to be in good physical condition.
agoge - a system of public, compulsory physical training for
young boys
Activities
wrestling, jumping, running, javelin and discus, marching, horseback
riding, and hunting
Greece: Athens (Sparta’s antithesis)
Democratic government
Physical activity to develop bodies, for aesthetic
value, and to live a more full, vigorous life.
Gymnastics practiced in a palaestra and supervised
by a paidotribe.
Gymnasiums became the physical, social, and
intellectual centers of Greece.
Instruction was given by a gymnast.
Greece: National Festivals
The foundation for the modern Olympic games.
Olympic Games first held in 776 B.C. and continued every 4 years until abolished by
Athletics
Increase opportunities for girls and women
Increased interest in lifetime sports
Sport programs below high school level increase
Increased number of intramural programs
Mid-twentieth Century (1940-1970)
Professional preparation
Colleges and universities increase programs for teachers
American College of Sports Medicine (1954)
National Athletic Trainers’ Association (1950)
•Posse •Hetherington
•McKenzie •Nash
•Bancroft •Wood
•Hanna •Cassidy
•McCurdy •Williams
•Gulick •Brace
•Riis •Rogers