GYMNASTICS is one of the world’s oldest physical
activities and sports. Its origin can be traced back
thousands of years’ histories of gymnastics most likely
first depicted in Egyptians artifacts. The earliest known
physical evidence of gymnastics can be found in the art of
ancient Egypt, where female acrobats performed for the
pharaohs and the Egyptian nobility.
GYMNASTICS IN GREECE
A thousand years before the first Olympics, King Minos of the Minoan
Crete (Kriti) had already developed the art of bull leaping. The athletes
would run toward a charging bull, grab its horns, and when tossed into the
air, would execute various aerial movements, landing on the bull’s back.
In 776 B.C., the Greeks held the first Olympic Games, a festival
dedicated to their god, Zues. The ancient Greeks practiced physical
exercises and routines and as a result, gymnastics was added in the ancient
Olympic Games. Gymnastics involved boxing, wrestling, throwing,
jumping, track and field, and weightlifting, in which later in history
became separate sports.
“Gymnos” The name of Gymnasiums. The Greek The Palestera. Physical
the sport “gymnastics” is builts elaborate complexes training was held in the
derived from the Greek known as “gymnasia” for palestera of the of the
word “gymnos” which their physical education gymnasia. It was a square,
literally means “naked art”. training. walled, open-air workout
are equipped with changing
rooms and baths.
The paidotribes were the first to design systems of physical activity for both athletes
and the ordinary citizens. These structured gymnastics program called calisthenics,
came into existence and became central aspects of a formal education for children.
Gymnastics Goals in Ancient Greece
The Greeks develop three distinct program goals for gymnastic exercise in ancient
Greece. It was used to maintain good physical condition in citizenry. It was used as an
integral part of military training. It was part of the conditioning regime for athletes of
many types.
Gymnastics Training in Rome. The Greek city-state Sparta required that both
sexes br physically fit. Women needed strong bodies so they could bear strong, healthy
children. The Romans followed the Spartan’s example, to a point. The gymnasium was
basically a training place for the legions of the Roman army.
Wooden Gymnastics Horse. Among the
apparatus the Romans introduced was the
wooden horse. Mounting and dismounting
were considered required military skills,
especially by members of the cavalry. The
wooden horse was used to train soldiers to
mount and dismount quickly.
GYMNASTICS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE
WORLD
Gymnastics in Persia
-the Persians had develop the side horse Gymnastics in Ancient Asia and China
(Pommel Horse) as a training devise for -Tumbling was an ancient art form in China
their cavalry to learn mounts, dismounts, and other parts of Asia, as well as in Greece.
and swinging movements for combat on
speeding horses during battle.
Olympic Games Abolished
The Olympic Games were abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in 392
A.D. As a competitive sport, gymnastics disappeared after the demise of the ancient
Olympics. After financial corruption led to the banning of gymnastics in 393 A.D., the
sport did not reappear in the public arena until the 16th century.
REVIVAL OF GYMNASTICS IN EUROPE
Many people contributed to the revival and popularization of gymnastics in
Europe. These people introduced new gymnastics to develop further gymnastics,
leading to us popularization a sport activity
• Johann Basedow
• Johann Guts Muths
• Friedrich Ludwig Jahn
• Peter Henrik Ling
• Franz Nachtegall
• Adolf Spiess
• Johann Basedow(1723-1790)(German)
–Founded the “Philanthropinum” a
German Gymnasium in Dessau, Saxony
in 1774.
• Johann Guts Muths(1759-1839)
(German)
-Regarded as the “Great
Grandfather of Gymnastics”.
• Friedrich Ludwig Jahn(1778-1852)
(German) -Regarded as the founder of
Turnverein, which is an association in
gymnastics. The Turnverein (from
German term turnen,”to practice
gymnastics,” and verein,”club, union”).
• Peter Henrik Ling(1776-1839)
(Sweden) -He invented the stall bars and
the vaulting horse(Box). The Swedish
system, which he devised, emphasized
rhythm and coordination through
routines practiced with light apparatuses
like hoops, clubs, and small balls.
• Franz Nachtegall(1777-1847)(Danish)
-Started the first school for training of
gymnastics teachers at Copenhagen
Denmark. Played large part in introducing
physical education into public schools of
Denmark and into teacher preparation.
• Adolf Spiess(1810-1858)(German)
-He developed special programs for girls
and the very young. He focused his work
and education in the body, discipline,
moral, and social values.
-THE END OF HISTORTY OF
GYMNASTICS-
