An Exploratory Consideration on Physical Education Development of Modern Europe

Abstract

The development of modern physical education in Europe spanned the Renaissance, the Reformation and the Enlightenment. As such, this study aims to take this fact (that the development of physical education can be divided into three eras) as the means of identification by determining the prevailing processes of modern physical education. The methods of the study were informed by documentary sources focusing on materials related to books and academic journals concerning modern physical education. Early physical education in Europe was pioneered by the humanists, starting in the Renaissance, and focused on the importance of physical activities, appreciating their value. Subsequently, the importance of physical education was, in the Age of Pragmatism and Enlightenment, emphasized in terms of its educational value, with practical physical fitness performed in the end. The nationalistic school of physical education, which was established after the French Revolution, adopted physical education as part of the formal curriculum at schools, focusing on gymnastics in Germany and Sweden. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, various sports were popular with people after the Industrial Revolution, and they have been enhanced the sports by capitalists and public schools at the same time. As a result of study, the development of modern physical education of Europe has enhanced the sports of U.K and the gymnastics of European countries and has become a fundamental part of the development of modern physical education along with the modern Olympic Games.