The Historical Foundation of Physical Education - Essay Example

Thesis ment: The main thrust of sport historically is cultivation of discipline in ‘oneself’ both the body, mind, and character which the 19th century sports advocates adapted in pursuing its reformation. Introduction A modern day sport is characterized by fame, gold, amateurism and commercialism; maybe due to rapid globalization that shakes individual to take advantage of opportunities for success and happiness in this field. There are modern advocates of sports who have tried to revive its true spirit, for they thought that sports have somehow lost its meaning and direction. It was during the 19th century when transformation in sports took place which today’s sports follow through. However, many athletes have different outlook why they engage in sports, some of them out of necessity tried their luck to some sports discipline such as boxing, basketball or even wrestling which are proven effective source of income. Some students involve in varsity team in school to get scholarship. Take the idea of Allen Guttman, he described Modern Olympic Movement as weak and highly influenced by commercialism of today. According to him, there are major forces that drive the Olympic today and one of them is politics in sports. He further emphasized that Olympic Games are too complex, too prone to internal and external forces, and too appealing in different ways to vested interest groups global-wide. On the other hand, Robert Mechnikoff in his book had noticed minimal discrepancy for he focused his discussion on the historical and philosophical perspective of sports. For him, many people who have involved in sports seem to forget the value of building good character and healthy body. Many people today engaged in physical activities in order to acquire ideal body built and follow the norm of today’s gymnast enthusiasts. It is quite obvious that many people who are successful in their chosen sports have never been into college because of financial reason. Take for instance the Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao who is a boxer since childhood. He gets into this sport because according to him, this is the only way he can do to support his poor family. A Mexican boxer Oscar Larios is also from a poor family who found fortune in the boxing arena. The wrestling superstar Batista on the other hand, became famous and financially successful; though, in his childhood, his family could not send him to college. These people who were once poor have emerged as powerful as they are today, and they have turned the course of their story upside down through sport. The Historical Foundation of Physical Education Sports or physical education emerged date back to Ancient Greece around 1370 B.C. During this period both the Romans and Greeks believed in a maxim of “a strong mind in a healthy body” (Mens Sana in Corpore Sano). The Ancient Greeks are considered the originators of the first ancient Olympic Games which took place in 776 B.C. Men who usually participated in the games were from upper class because only young men of social distinction could afford the training. For them, it was a means of social advancement and for marrying into money and wealth. Historically, the Greeks were the makers of professional athletics. It is called professional athletics because they appreciated aesthetics quality of the human body as well as the demonstration of art in grace and form in movement. Today, this concept has dramatically developed into more subtle idea. Since they believed that a healthy body promotes strong mind, they improved physical education even in children. They attested that fit children were healthier and turned into brave, wise and productive members of society (Mechnikoff and Estes, 2002). This same idea was adapted in the 19th century reformation of the principles underlying modern sports. This reformation of physical education took alongside changes in American society. It was the period of radical change in most countries in the world – the social change which was based on specialization and expertise. America during this period knew little knowledge about many things, no discoveries and advances in science; and yet, these people ideally conceptualized health as a combination of balance body and temperament (or moral health), same belief as the Greeks’ –Mens Sana in Corpore Sano maxims. Because enlightenment had reached them, physical education experienced tremendous change also which includes the adaptation of new discipline. This discipline involved new and evolving bodies of knowledge that reshaped the meaning and direction of physical education. Physical education paid attention to the ideological and social attitudes that defined the nature of health, hygiene, character development and improvement of society. For the 19th century advocates, physical education must be an instrument that structures the totality of the man – his physical aspect as well as his moral character to become better member of the society. As physical education continued to evolve, educators learned better instructional methods, medical experts discovered better ways for people to exercise. Physical education since then, adapted sport defined social development and developed play theory. Both doctors and educators worked hand in hand in the integration of new philosophy of physical education in school curriculum. They have also designed physical fitness activities for students such as gymnastics and calisthenics. Since then, serious athletics competition and intramural sports challenged school that made all instructional activities devoted to sports. This scenario brought many organizations into existence such as: National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Committee on Physical Education, and many others. These highly organized, well-established and popular varsity athletic competitions somehow dominated physical education, its true spirit. Philosophical Foundation of Physical Education The philosophical foundation of physical education back in history is idealism. It was further reaffirmed because of the belief of the ancient Greeks and Romans that strong and fit children were healthier and turned into brave, wise, and productive members of the society. Idealism dictates the principle behind physical education. Idealists regards that reality is mind, which explains that the world of material objects, as argued by Thomas Habber, is secondary to the “reality” conceived by the mind. To the idealists, the fact that we have an idea of a perfect world is evidence that it does exists. To apply the view of idealism in physical education, it viewed self which is an idea a reality, and that achievement of total man is also reality. This same concept of the ancient Greek remained true until the reformation of physical education in the 19th century. Most Americans during this period believed that exercise and the corresponding enhancement of health was necessary to insure total wellness and equilibrium of the whole person. Even until today, physical educators affirm that they could take a boy or girl and make them into better people. What shaped the theory of physical education was the assumption and belief that health is acquired through physical exercises is a balance or harmony between mind, body, and spirit; for the ancient Greeks, it was the notion ‘a strong mind in a healthy body.’ The behavioristic principle underlying physical education is the development of man as a whole was the major component of physical education theory base. Ideological Justification of Sports Sport has some benefits to man according to Mechnikoff and Estes. These benefits include health in physical and mind, and development of moral character. Health Rousseau had once said, “exercise his body continually; make him robust and healthy in order to make him wise and reasonable. Let him work, be active, run, yell and always in motion, let him be a man in his vigor, and soon he will be one in his reason” (Rousseau in Mechnikoff and Estes, p.120, 1993). This statement justifies the fact that physical education is capitalized on cultivating discipline in oneself. It has to be promoted form the perspective of professionals of this field for the many benefits it gives. The originators of professional athletics emphasized the appreciation of the aesthetic quality of the human body. Although Plato and other philosophers were in general disagreement with professional athlete because for them, it was undesirable part of Greek life, their lifestyle was counter productive to the well-rounded individual because rigid trainings robbed them of having complete rest to maintain good health. In the 19th century, American people were so concerned of health and health promotion, and wellness was a major component of physical education in that period. Physical discipline is done through rigid exercise and training, some physical activities and even sports offered in the school curriculum. These days, there is a great need for exercise because much people became uninterested in health for they love food. Thus, exercise is highly recommended for lack of exercise is among the most significant contributors to obesity, heart disease and overall health risk. The benefits of exercise for heart patients are well documented, including reducing stress, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and even reversing atherosclerosis. Exercise helps minimize the effects of environmental pollution, physical and emotional stress. People must develop a different lifestyle with focus on exercise. Moral Character Development Philosophy of idealism promotes the “self,” its development, its usefulness, and its contribution to the society. A highly intelligent person may be useful somehow, but if that person is selfish, he can not perform well his duties as a man. Development of moral characters is essential and of great importance. Even famous philosophers had paid attention to moral values that every man should possess. And, in doing so, they will find his true great value and happiness in life. It is God who designed mans life and destiny, therefore, without moral values man will find his life completely devastated and disproportionate. Sports builds character, consider how an athlete manifested courage, perseverance, or self-discipline, in the course of the game or how a team displayed teamwork and dedication. There are lessons that can be learned through sports. Physical education helps cultivate moral characters in every individual, just as how it does with the physical component of a man, physical exercises promotes the moral and intellectual development of a person. The following are just some of the characters that can be developed in a man if he is engaged in sports: self-sacrifice, drive, discipline, competitiveness, diligence, integrity, honesty, hard work, loyalty, leadership, sportsmanship, friendliness, self-confidence, democracy, teamwork, fairness, manliness, endurance, and how to accept win and lose. Self-sacrifice, drive, discipline, diligence, hard work, endurance, self-confidence, patience are learned through constant practice in order to develop skills for a competition. Mental and moral qualities of teamwork, competitiveness, sportsmanship, friendliness, democracy, fairness and loyalty are learned through fair play in team games out of group consciousness that is developed during the practice. While values of being a man such as integrity, honesty and manliness are developed because of assumed responsibility given to the members of the team. Sports experiences may be providing pattern as a reinforcement of values, attitudes and behaviors that are actually at a variance with the character-building ideals of American society. In the history of America, survival means a lot for they had to win in many battles. They had to fight for their land in order to claim ownership against many nationalities. They had also to fight economic and political dilemma including corruptions. They had to win complete independence. That is why during the 19th century, they had thought of complete supremacy overall obstacles in order to survive and live well and abundantly. These experiences that they had gone through had helped in search for victory, strength and will to survive. American society became competitive, their aspiration had gone beyond survival, they longed for victory and glory which made them one of the worlds superpowers. Conclusion Sports have been acclaimed for the many benefits it gives since many centuries ago. It is highly advisable today for all walks of life to integrate sports in all activities. Physical education have served for the development of good health as well as building moral character. However, everyone must understood that despite all these attempts to enjoy sports for personal gain, many problems have seen in the sports today just like what Guttman and Mechnikoff had observed. Specifically the commercialism in competition that develop envy, exploitation, and sometimes domination. Sports are good it can take one away from harmful vices in lifestyle and promote healthy living. Read More