BRIEF HISTORY OF GYMNASTICS

During the earliest times, recorded activities in gymnastics were some exercises, stunts, and
tumbling resembling gymnastics. Some of the common activities in the earliest civilization were
hanging, climbing ropes, swinging, balancing on stones and logs, flipping and turning.
The Chinese had a sort of exercise called, “ Kung Fu” or Medical Gymnastics, while India, had
the “Yoga”.
The Greeks, had activities with apparatuses and they developed the word “gymnastics” which
meant “Naked Art”.
In Egypt, pictures on stones found are evidences of the Egyptians participation in some sort of
balancing activities. Pyramids were inspirations of the pyramid activities in gymnastics.
The Romans, because of their love of war, devised a wooden equipment similar to the back of a
horse where they could practice mounting and dismounting a horse indoor. This equipment is
now being used in the class activities and skills in its use is one of the events in the competitive
gymnastics.
The Germans were the greatest contributors to our present gymnastic program.
The following people were instrumental in the development of gymnastics:

1. 1723 – 1790 ----JOHANN BASEDOW introduced

gymnastics in the school curriculum.

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2. 1759 –1839 ----JOHANN GUTS MUTHS called the “great
grandfather of gymnastics”, wrote a book

Entitled GYMNASTICS FOR THE YOUTH. He

invented the outdoor apparatuses like the
see-saw, the horizontal ladder, the oblique
wooden ladder, the climbing rope, balancing
beam, vault apparatus and the rope ladder.

Horizontal Ladder
Vault Apparatus

Rope Ladder

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 1. 1778 – 1852----FREIDRICH JHAN is considered the
“father of gymnastics”. He started the Turverein Movement.
He introduced the horizontal bar, parallel bar, the side horse,
and the Vaulting buck.

Horizontal Bar

Side Horse
Parallel Bar

Vaulting Buck

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 2. 1810 – 1858----ADOLF SPIES, introduced
marching and free hand exercises
performed with music.

3. 1776 – 1839----PERH LING a Swedish enthusiast

invented the stall bars and the vaulting box or Swedish box.

Swedish Box

The American gymnastics is largely influenced by Europe as evidenced by the early Turverein
movement (“to practice gymnastics”) in their colleges. DR. DUDLEY SARGENT, was the first

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American contributor to gymnastic because he was instrumental in including gymnastics in the
school curriculum.
Gymnastics in the Philippines, was started by two exponents of Physical Education—Director
CANDIDO BARTOLOME of the University of the Philippines and Mrs. FRANCISCA AQUINO of the
Bureau of Public Schools.

WHAT IS GYMNASTICS?

GYMNASTICS is a self-motivating activity where one can manipulate the different parts of the
body into varied positions or movements. The attainment of skills in gymnastics can only be
done through proper body preparations specially on strength and flexibility.
The changes in today’s gymnastics are the emphasis on flowing movements and the inclusions
of dance and locomotor skills in the creation of routines. Grace, poise and dignity of movements
are emphasized. The masculine and rigid movements are now changed to more relaxed and
easy movements.

THE PHASES OF THE GYMNASTICS PROGRAM

The gymnastics program has different phases and each phase contributes to the various
elements in gymnastics. These elements are strength, flexibility, balance, agility, coordination
and endurance. In addition, Grace, Poise and Dignity of movements are attained.
1. CONDITIONING PROGRAM
The exercises are selected for the purpose of preparing the body for more
complicated movements and skills. Exercises for warm-up can also be selected in
this phase. This phase can also be considered as “Calisthenics” since routines can
be made out of the exercises in the conditioning program.

2. RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Routines or Exercises accompanied with music are called “Rhythmic Gymnastics”.
They are so called because they are performed in a rhythmical manner and
the movements are flowing. This phase includes the free hand exercise, and all
exercises with the use of light apparatuses such as: wands, rings, hoops, ribbons,
ropes, etc. Gymnastics skills, dance skills, locomotor skills, stunts and tumbling skills
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 are combined to form a routine on the floor. This is where the performer can create
and develop her own routine according to her abilities.
3. STUNTS

Stunts are activities in the form of play and they test one’s strength, flexibility,
balance, agility, endurance, and coordination. This phase is specially suited to the
lower grades. Some stunts can be considered as conditioning exercise and still some
are preparatory stunts to tumbling skills.

4. TUMBLING
This is the most important phase of the gymnastic program, because this is where
the ability of the performer is tested as he rolls to and fro; twists, turns and springs
about on the mat, floor and in the air.
5. APPARATUS EXERCISE (HEAVY)

This includes exercises done on the balance beam, vaulting horse, parallel bars,
uneven bars, rings and the trampoline.

6. PYRAMID BUILDING

This phase of the program makes a pictures (mural) out of body static positions.
The positions should be properly arranged and selected so that they form the shape
of a pyramid.

OBJECTIVES OF GYMNASTICS

1. To improve and maintain a physically fit body.

2. To improve efficiency of movement through grace, poise, dignity, form and rhythm.
3. To enhance creativity through the exploration of new movements and movements
combinations.
4. To improve courage, initiative, determination and perseverance.
5. To stimulate interest and enjoyment of gymnastics.

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 TERMS USED IN GYMNASTICS

1. ARCH – The arch is a position where the body is curved like an arc of a circle, with the
hip forward and the head and trunk bent backward.
2. DISMOUNT - is a stunt used by a performer to get off the apparatus.
3. EXERCISE or ROUTINE - Exercises planned series of dance skills, locomotor skills,
gymnastics skills, and tumbling skills performed with or without music.
4. HELD or STATIC POSITION - These are positions held for 2 seconds.
5. MOUNT – These are stunts performed by a performer to go up on an apparatus.
6. PRESS - is an application of steady pressure to a particular muscle or muscle group in
order to attain a desired stretch.
7. SCALE – is a support on one leg with the other leg raised at the back and the body arch.
8. SPLIT - is a position whee the legs are extended forward and backward in a straight
position’
9. SPOTTER - a person who helps a performer go about a skill for the first time.
10.SPOTTING - is the act of helping a person to go about a skill for the first time.
11. TUCK – is a position where the head and the knees are in contact and the trunk is
curved.

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ACTIVITY 1
A. Identify the following pictures and briefly state their contribution to Gymnastics.

1. ____________________________________
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2.
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3.
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B. Identify the following pictures and clearly state their function.

1.
___________________________________________
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___________________________________________

2.
___________________________________________
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___________________________________________

3.
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Activity 2

DIRECTION: Answer the following statements correctly.

1. A Medical Gymnastics or a sort of exercise among the Chinese is called

_____________.
2. A sort of exercise in India is called ___________’
3. The greatest contributors to our present gymnastics program were the
_____________’
4. A self-motivating activity where one can manipulate the different parts of the
body into varied positions and movements is ________________.
5. Conditioning Program is also considered as _______________.
6. A person who helps a performer go about a skill for the first time is
called___________’
7. To go up on an apparatus is called ___________.
8. A series of dance skills, locomotor skills performed with or without music is
called _________.
9. A stunt used by a performer to get off the apparatus is __________.
10.A position where the legs are extended forward and backward in a straight
position is called _________.

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