SELF TESTING ACTIVITIES considered gymnastics Satanic because of its focus on the

body and that gymnast performed in the nude at all-male

ancient Games of Olympia.
GYMNASTICS
“GYMNASIUMS” The Greeks built elaborated complexes
known as “gymnasia” for their physical education training.
The gymnasiums, originally an area for physical training,
ANCIENT HISTORY OF GYMNASTICS There is almost no direct evolved into a school for training both the body and the
knowledge available about the earliest times of man’s mind. There were three types of teachers in gymnasium:
gymnastics activities. Historians believe that people Grammatistes, who taught reading, writing, and other
performed gymnastics and gymnastics-related activities like scholarly pursuits; Kitharistes, who taught music; and
tumbling, jumping, swinging movements, and group Paidotribes, who were physical fitness teachers. Thus, the
acrobatics early in the history of mankind in a number of gymnasium also became a center for the arts, philosophy,
areas around the world. Gymnastics is one of the world’s and literature.
oldest physical activities and sports, and its origin can be
tracked back thousands of years. “THE PALESTRA” Physical training was held in the Palestra of
the gymnasia. It was a square, walled, open-air workout area
Gymnastics was most likely first depicted in Egyptians equipped with changing rooms and baths. A variety of
artifacts. The earliest known physical evidence of gymnastics activities were classified as gymnastics, including running,
can be found in the art of ancient Egypt, where female jumping, weightlifting, throwing, wrestling, and swimming.
acrobats performed for the Pharaohs and the Egyptian Evidently, many exercises were conducted to music, just like
nobility. These Egyptian hieroglyphs depict such gymnastics in the floor exercise routines of modern women’s artistic
activities as backhand variations and partner by 800 BC, gymnastics. The paidotribes, were the first to design systems
Greece, China, Persia and India were using gymnastics as of physical activity for both athletes and the ordinary
practiced from early times appears to have spread from citizens. Theses structured gymnastics program called
Egypt to Greece and Rome. calisthenics, came into existence aspects of a formal
Gymnastics in Greece A thousand years before the first education for children.
Olympics, King Minos of the Minoan Crete (KRITI) (during the “GYMNASTICS GOALS IN ANCIENT GREECE” The Greeks
period 2,700 BC- 1,400 BC) had already advocated physical developed three distinct program goals for gymnastic
exercises closely related with it. The art of bull leaping exercise in ancient Greece. It was used to maintain good
developed in the Minoan Crete was performed by both men physical condition in the citizenry. It was used as an integral
and women. The athlete would run toward a charging bull, part of military training. It was a part of the conditioning
grab its horns, and when tossed into the air, would execute regime for athletes of many types.
various aerial movements, landing on the bull’s back, and
dismount in land on his or her feet on the other side of the “GYMNASTICS TRAINING IN ROME” The Greeks city-state
bull. This routine developed into what gymnast performed at Sparta required that both sexes be physically fit. Women
present on the vaulting horse. needed strong bodies so they could bear strong, healthy
children. The Romans followed the Spartan example, to a
In 776 BC, the Greeks held the first Olympics Games, which point. The gymnasium was basically a training place for the
was a festival dedicated to their god, Zeus. The ancient legions of the Roman Army.
Greeks practiced physical exercises and routines and as
result, gymnastics was added in the ancient Olympic Games. WOODEN GYMNASTICS HORSE Among the apparatus the
Gymnastics involved boxing, wrestling, throwing, jumping, Romans introduced was the wooden horse. Mounting and
trach and field, and weightlifting, which later in history dismounting were considered required military skills,
became separate sports. especially by members of the cavalry. The wooden horse was
used to train soldiers to mount and dismount quickly.
“GYMNOS” The name of the sport ‘gymnastics” is derived
from the ancient Greek word “gymnos” which literally
translated means “naked art”. In ancient Greece, male
athletes trained and competed in the nude. Because of this,
women were excluded from the ancient games, not just as
competitors but also as spectators Christians of the time
The ROMAN were known for their love for warfare. After
their successful conquest of Greece, they adopted
gymnastics as their own, and developed it into a more
formal sport. Gymnastics was then designed to give strength
fore military combat. Their practical nature turned sport into
warfare.

GYMNASTICS IN PERSIA By 500 BC, the Persians had

developed the side horse (pommel horse) as a training
devise for their cavalry to learn mounts, dismounts, and
swinging movements for combat on speeding horses during
battle.

GYMNASTICS IN ANCIENT ASIA AND CHINA Tumbling was an

ancient art form in China and Asia as well as in Greece and
the Roman empire.

OLYMPIC GAMES ABOLISHED The Olympic games were

abolished by the Roman Emperor Theodosius in 392 AD. 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 16 th century.
REVIVAL OF GYMNASTICS IN EUROPE ADOLF SPIESS Modern gymnastics as an individual sport goes
back to the free floor exercises developed in Germany by
Adolf Spiess (1819 – 1858) who concentrated much of his
JOHANN BASEDOW In the revival of gymnastics, perhaps the work in Switzerland. He developed special programs for girls
biggest part was played by a German by the name of Johann and the very young. He focused his work and education in
Basedow (1723 – 1790). He founded the Philanthropinum, a the body, discipline, moral and social values.
German Gymnasium in Dessau, Saxony in 1774. Basedow
GYMNASTICS DEFINED:
advocated the use of realistic teching methods and the
introduction of nature study, physical education, and manual There are plenty of definitions that can be used to describe
training into the schools. Basedow included physical this discipline.
exercises with other forms of instruction at his school.

11.9.1724 – death 25.7.1790

As a Sport:
JOHAAN GUTS MUTHS The person who came to be regarded
 Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of
as the “Great grandfather of gymnastics” was Johann Guts
sequences of movements or routines requiring
Muths (1759 – 1839), a German educator. The initial
physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic
curriculum was a combination of knightly exercise and Greek
awareness.
gymnastics, and it provided a basis for his book, Gymnastics
 A competitive sport in which individuals performs
for Youth, published in 1793, and is considered to be the first
optional and prescribed acrobatic feats either on the
book on gymnastics.
floor or on special apparatus in order to
FRIEDRICH LUDWIG JAHN However, the real father of demonstrate strength, balance, and body control.
gymnastics is German educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778  Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of
– 1852). In the early 1800s, a form of gymnastics developed sequences of movements or routines requiring
in Germany as a defined set of skills performed both with physical strength, flexibility, and kinesthetic
and without specific kinds of apparatus. Friedrich Ludwig awareness such as handsprings and handstands.
Jahn, planned exercises using pieces of stationary apparatus
to develop self-descipline and physical strength. He is As a Physical Activity:
regarded as the founder of Turnverein which is an associated  An exercise in intellectual or artistic dexterity.
of gymnasts. The Turnverein (from German term, turnen, “to  Physical exercises for developing skill, strength, and
practice gymnastics,” and verein, “club, union”). He control in the use of the body or sport in which such
introduced Parallel Bars, Long Horse, Side Horse, and exercises are performed.
Horizontal Bars in 1812.  Physical exercises designed to developed strength
PETER HENRICK LING (1776 – 1839) Of Sweden was the first and coordination.
to appreciate the corrective value of gymnastics. He  Self-motivating activity where one can manipulate
invented the Stall Bars and the Vaulting Horse (Box). The the different parts of the body into varied positions
Swedish system, which he devised, emphasized rhythm and or movements.
coordination through routines practiced with light apparatus  Physical exercises designed to developed and display
like hoops, clubs, and small balls. strength, balance, and agility, especially those
performed on or with specialized apparatus.
FRANZ Nachtegall (1777-1847) started the first school for
training of gymnastics teachers at Copenhagen Denmark.
Franz Nachtegall played a large part in introducing physical
education into public schools of Denmark and into teacher
preparation.
 important because these are preparatory skills to tumbling
routines or exercises.
WHAT DO WE FROM LEARNING GYMNASTICS?
4. TUMBLING – considered to be the most important phase
Physical Benefits:
in the gymnastic program as the skills of the gymnast are
 An increases in muscular strength, flexibility, and tested. Tumbling skills are tested. Tumbling skills are
endurance regarded as the climax of a gymnastic routine. It completes
 The ability to relax the whole package.
 Correct body alignment while walking, standing, and 5. APPARATUS EXERCISES – (Heavy and Light) – these are
jumping, etc. what the gymnasts use in their routines. These are two kinds
 The knowledge of how to fall and roll safely of apparatus: Heavy and Light.
 Increased agility and coordination
a. Heavy Apparatus – pertains to the balance beam,
Cognitive Benefits: vaulting horse, steel rings, pommel horse,
 Awareness of the body trampolines, etc.
 Awareness of space and where the body is in it b. Light Apparatus – refers to the gymnastic ball, ring,
 Awareness of relationship: body parts to each other hoops, clubs, and ribbon
and the apparatus 6. PYRAMID BUILDING – these are activities that involve
 Awareness of relationship with others more than 3 performers who must execute balanced
Psychological Benefits: positions which resemble the pyramid. Pyramid building
tests, first and foremost, the gymnasts balance, muscle
 The joy of movement mastery control, and strength.
 Discipline and self-control
 The exercise habit as a pleasurable daily occurrence
 A confident self-image and positive attitude towards BASIC BODY POSITIONS
their bodies
 Trust one’s own abilities: move from a world of “I A. HAND POSITION
can’t” to “I can”. 1. Hands on Waist
 Hands on waist
 Fingers pointing downward
(6) SIX PHASES OF THE GYMNASTICS PROGRAM  Thumbs place at the back of the waist
2. Hands on Chest
1. CONDITIONING PROGRAM – involves calisthenics
exercises that would prepare the body for more complicated  Arms in front of the chest
work. It is important to be done first before any activity  Elbows bent and at shoulder level
because it prevents injuries to happen. All athletes should  Fingers touching each other
undergo conditioning program before the game or  Palms facing downward, thumbs touching
competition. the chest
3. Hands on Neck
2. RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS – phase of the gymnastic  Bend elbow
program that combines gymnastic skills with ballet and  Biceps at shoulder level
creative movements to music, while working with light  Hands behind the neck
apparatus such as ribbons, balls, hoops, ropes, and clubs in a  Fingers tip touching each other, chest out
choreographed danced-and-tumble routine. Everything is 4. Hands on Shoulder
done on the floor with far different routines and different  Bend shoulder
music.  Biceps at shoulder level
3. STUNTS – activities in the form of play that test the  Fingers tip touching each other
gymnasts strength, flexibility, power, vigor, balance, control  Chest out
of movements, speed, endurance, and agility. Stunts are
 5. Hands on Hips 3. Lunge Standing position
 Hands on hips  Bend one knee forward while the other leg is
 Fingers pointing downward extended backward
 Thumbs place at the back of the hips  Weight on the center of the body
 Fingers tip touching each other, chest out  Hands on side/waist
4. Half-Knee Bend
 Feet together
B. Arms Position  Feet together on the floor
 Slightly bend knees
1. Arms Forward
 Body erect
 Arms extended at shoulder level
 Hands on waist/side
 Palms facing the floor
5. Full-Knees Bend
2. Arms Sideward
 Feet together
 Arms Sideward
 Feet flat on the floor
 Arms extended sideward at shoulder level
 Knees are fully bend
 Palms facing the floor
 Body erect
3. Arms Upward
 Hands on waist/side
 Arms extended overhead
 Palms facing each other
 Arms touching the ears
D. Kneeling Positions
4. Arms in Reverse T-Position
 Bend elbows at shoulder level 1. Kneeling Position
 Forearm parallel to elbow  Kneel on both knees
 Palms facing the head  Knees close together
 Fingers together and pointing upward  Body erect
5. Arms in T-Position  Hands on waist
 Bend elbows at shoulder level 2. Stride Kneeling Position
 Forearm parallel to elbow  Kneel on the knees
 Palms facing the body  Knees apart
 Fingers together and pointing downward  Hands on waist
6. Arms Obliquely Positions 3. Half-Kneeling Position
 Arms diagonally downward in front or back  Kneel on right or left knee
of the body  One leg in front with bended knee
 Arms diagonally upwards position  Foot flat on the floor
 Fingers together, palms facing each other  Hands on waist
 Arms obliquely downwards forwards
 Arms obliquely downwards backward
E. Sitting Positions

C. Standing Positions 1. Heel Sitting Position

 Sit on both heels of the feet
1. Standing Position  Toes pointed
 Feet close together or in parallel position  Both hands on waist
 Arms both on side/waist 2. Long Sitting Position
2. Stride Standing Position  Sitting with legs extended forward
 Stand on both feet with 1 foot distance apart  Toes pointed; trunks erect
 Arms both on side/waist  Hands on waist
 3. Stride Sitting Position 2. Side Lying Position
 Fully bend one knee and bring leg in front  Lye on the floor on side position and well
 Other leg is extended sideward extended
 Toes pointed  One arm overhead and the other arm bend
4. Long Sitting Rest Position in front of the chest
 Sit on the floor  Palms on the floor
 Slightly bend one knee and bring leg  Toes pointed
backward 3. Supine Lying Position
 Other leg is extended sideward  Lye on the floor
 Toes pointed  Body facing upward and well extended
5. Side Sitting Position  Arms overhead and toes pointed upward
 Fully bend one knee and bring leg in front 4. Hook lying Position
 Other leg is extended sideward  Lye on the floor
 Toes pointed  Bend both knees
6. Hurdle Sitting Position  Feet close to buttocks and feet on the floor
 Sit on the floor  Arms overhead
 Slightly bend one knee and bring leg
backward
 Other leg is extended sideward
 Toes pointed
7. Frog Sitting Position
 Sit on the floor
 Fully bend both knees and bring legs in front
 Hands on knees/waist
8. Cross Sitting Position
 Sit on the floor
 Bend both knees and cross legs in front
 Arms in Indian Position
9. Hook Sitting Position
 Sit on the floor
 Bend knees close to the body
 Trunk erect, hands on shin of the legs
10. Tuck Sitting Position
 Sit on the floor
 Bend knees close to the body
 Forehead touching the knees with round
back
 Both hands on shin of the legs

F. Lying Positions

1. Prone Lying Position

 Lye on the floor
 Body facing the floor and well extended
 Arms overhead and toes pointed upward