History and evolution of Fitness

THE RENAISSANCE (1400-1600). The wars of the Ottoman Empire led the Greek populations to abandon their cities and migrate to Italy. The Renaissance was characterized by the cultural revival learned from the ancient Greeks and Latins. The human body, spread by the ideals of the ancient Greeks, is still of great interest. for the glorification of the human body The renewed appreciation for human life that developed in the Renaissance created an environment that was ready for the development and dissemination of physical education throughout Europe.

Therefore, physical education and fitness shared a common program. Physical education programs were the means by which the benefits and values of fitness were disseminated in society. In Greek schools, for example, a program was introduced that foresaw the need to involve physical education.

Europe of 1700-1850. Following the Renaissance, continental Europe underwent significant changes in the cultural sphere and fitness remained important as long as the trends derived from the Renaissance were still followed. Alongside the sentiment of nationalism and independence, the various states had their founders of fitness. Germany after the fall of Napoleon it was divided into several states and a contribution in the name of defense against foreign invasion was attributed to the work of a physical educator: Friedrich Jahn. He argued that susceptibility to foreign invasion could be avoided through the physical development of the German people. He was the inventor of numerous programs and exercises as well as the equipment with which to perform them. These equipments were housed in facilities that offered the possibility of performing "jumps, climbing, the famous vaulting developed throughout Germany." ... with his profound medical vocation, he recognized the importance of fitness for all people. ... "

Sweden. Pehr Herink Ling developed and introduced the gymnastics and fitness program divided into three main areas: discipline teaching, military training, medical gymnastics. With his profound medical vocation, using science and physiology, he recognized the importance of fitness for all people. He also argued that programs had to be designed on the basis of personal differences. He was the inventor of many massage techniques, including Swedish massage. He learned this discipline from the Chinese master Ming, who practiced martial arts and a particular manual therapy for body care.

England. Like Ling, Arcibald MarcLaren was fascinated by the scientific component of fitness and disclosed the health benefits of regular physical activity. In particular, he observed the consequences of fatigue and stress on the body. Secondly, he realized that games and leisure activities, as well as sports, are not enough to maintain adequate levels of fitness in boys and girls.

America - colonial period (1700-1776). Colonial America was an underdeveloped country characterized by vast unexplored and deserted territories. The lifestyle of this era consisted largely of plowing the land and farming, from hunting to herding cattle. This lifestyle provided a good level of physical activity without the need for further exercise.

United States (1776-1860). It is obvious that the culture of fitness and physical activity has been influenced by Europe. Immigrants brought their previously inherited experience from their states, particularly German and Swedish gymnastics, to the US. President Thomas Jefferson recognized the need for pursue fitness, albeit to an extreme extent to fulfill his ambition of independence: "No less than 2 hours a day of exercise, if the body is weak, the mind cannot be strong!" "physical education in the United States was lacking throughout the nineteenth century in public education, something that had been in place in Europe since the previous century. Despite the lack of interest in physical activity during this era, JC Warren and Catherine Beecher were two sparks for the future of modern fitness in America. Dr JC Warren, physician and great advocate of physical activity, gave a clear understanding of the need for regular physical exercise 7. As a disciple of Jahn I develop new programs and exercise including Calisthenics for the development of muscle strength and flexibility using only weight of their own body: in this way the SIT-UP, the SQUAT, THE PULL-UP were born. With the collaboration of Catherine Beecher they idealized exercises for women. Using the Calisthenics programs and the introduction of music, this activity is strictly analogy to modern aerobics and artistic gymnastics.