PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN MODERN EUROPE

> The history of physical education in modern European countries is reflected in the contribution of these countries growth and advancement of physical education which is also associated with names of it’s contributors.

Physical education in Germany > Johann Bernhard Basedow (1723-1790) Established a school called Philanthropinum, the first school in modern Europe that offered a program where physical education was a part of the curriculum.

Johann Bernhard Basedow, (born Sept Johann Bernhard Basedow,  (born Sept. 11, 1724,— July 25, 1790, Brandenburg), influential German educational reformer who advocated the use of realistic teaching methods and the introduction of nature study, physical education, and manual training into the schools. He also called for an end to physical punishment and to rote memorization in language learning.

Basedow believed in state rather than religious control of education and in a pragmatic approach to teaching. He stressed modern rather than classical languages, teaching them through conversation and games. Scientific subjects such as natural history, anatomy, and physics and practical ones such as carpentry were emphasized. Physical education was an important part of the curriculum. Further, in an age when many schools were noted for their harsh discipline, Basedow held that school could be so pleasant and absorbing that punishment would be virtually unnecessary.

WHAT IS PHILAN THROPINUM? Philanthropinum, late 18th-century school (1774–93) founded in Dessau, Germany, by the educator, Johann Bernhard Basedow to implement the educational ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Aiming to foster in its students a humanitarian worldview and awareness of the community of interest among all people, it taught rich and poor boys together regardless of religious or class distinctions.

PHILANTHROPINUM IN DESSAU, GERMANY

>Johann Christoph Friedrich Guts Muths Wrote two books , “Gymnastics for the Young and Games”, which contained illustrations of various exercises and apparatus, arguments in favor of physical education institutions; Often referred to as one of the founders of modern physical education in Germany.

The “grandfather” of modern gymnastics, Johann Christoph Friedrich Guts Muths(1759–1839), was a leading teacher at the Philanthropinist school in Schnepfenthal. In his seminal work, Gymnastik für die Jugend (1793; Gymnastics for Youth), Guts Muths envisioned two main divisions of gymnastics: natural gymnastics and artificial gymnastics. 

WHO’S THIS?

>Friedrich Ludwig Jahn(1778-1852) His name is associated with the “Turnverein”, an association of gymnasts, which he inaugurated to help German youth into strong and hardy citizens. Instilled in the youth a love for gymnastics because of his belief that physical education is a means of aiding the growth and development of children, and that the country could be made strong through physical education.

The acknowledged “father” of gymnastics, Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, founder of theTurnverein movement, is credited with the rapid spread of gymnastics throughout the world. Gymnastic competition can be traced to the outdoor playground (Turnplatz) Jahn opened in a field known as the “Hasenheide” (rabbit field) on the outskirts of Berlin. Ernst Eiselen, Jahn’s assistant and the coauthor of Die Deutsche Turnkunst (1816; The German Gymnastic Art), carefully noted and explained the various exercises developed on the playground.

The pommel horse was used for leg-swinging exercises and for vaulting The pommel horse was used for leg-swinging exercises and for vaulting. Jahn invented the parallel bars to increase the upper-body strength of his students, and immense towers were erected to test their courage. Balance beams, horizontal bars, climbing ropes, and climbing poles were also found at the Turnplatz. Primitive pole vaulting was practiced along with other athletic games. The wide variety of challenging apparatus found on the playground attracted young men who were then, in addition, indoctrinated with Jahn’s dream of German unification and his ideas on the defense of the fatherland and ridding Prussia of French influence.

Adolf Spiess(1810-1858) Founder of school gymnastics in Germany Adolf Spiess(1810-1858) Founder of school gymnastics in Germany. Helped to make physical education a part of school life; is thoughts about physical education: “Physical education should be required of all students”. It should receive the same consideration as other subjects in the curriculum. The physical education program should be progressive, starting with simple exercises and proceeding to the more difficult.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN SWEDEN Per Henrick Ling (1776-1839) His name is symbolic of the rise of physical education in Sweden. Strove to make physical education a science; stressed that through anatomy and physiology one would be better able to understand the human body and its needs, and apply activity intelligently through the scientific approach. Established the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics: educational, military, or medical.

His objective of physical education was to develop the body to its fullest extent, to restore health to the weak, and to make the country strong against aggressors.

The prime developer of natural gymnastics was Per Henrik Ling The prime developer of natural gymnastics was Per Henrik Ling. In 1813 Ling founded a teacher-training centre, the Royal Gymnastics Central Institute, in Stockholm. Ling devised and taught a system of gymnastic exercises designed to produce medical benefits for the athlete. Calisthenics are attributed to him, including free calisthenics—that is, exercises without the use of hand apparatus such as clubs, wands, and dumbbells. Although Ling did not promote competition, free calisthenics have evolved into the competitive sport now known as floor exercise.

Lars Gabriel Branting(1799- 1881) Spent his time in medical gymnastics Lars Gabriel Branting(1799- 1881) Spent his time in medical gymnastics. His teachings were based on the premise that physical activity causes changes in the muscular, nervous, and circulatory system.

Gustaf Nybleus(1816- 1902) Specialized in military gymnastics Gustaf Nybleus(1816- 1902) Specialized in military gymnastics. His innovation is the inclusion of women in the school.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN DENMARK Franz Nachtegal (1777-1847) Introduced physical education into the schools of Denmark First director of a Training School for Teachers of Gymnastics army. Director of Gymnastics for all Denmark.

Neils Bukh Introduced “Primitive Gymnastics” Attempted to build the perfect physique through a series of exercises that were performed without cessation of movement.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN Great Britain is known as the home of outdoor sports which utilized a program of organized games and sports. The English youth engaged in physical activities as early as the time of Henry II, such as wrestling , throwing, riding, fishing, hunting, swimming, rowing, skating, shooting the bow and arrow. The athletic sports played were the following:

The athletic sports played were the following: Hockey and quoits – early as the 15th century. Tennis – as early as 1300. Golf – as early as 1600 Cricket – as early as 1700 Football – one of the oldest of English national sports.

Archibald Maclaren (1820- 1884) Devised a system of physical education for the British Army. His works or books pointed out that the objectives of physical education should consider health as more important than strength ; that physical education should be organized and administered effectively so that all its potentialities will be realized.