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Colonial Period
Tribal physical tests in order to become warriors and daily activities. Games used as means to settle disputes. Footraces, swimming, lacrosse, arching, canoeing. European colonists brought their sports. PE was not in the school curriculum. -
National Period
PE began to be introduced in school curriculums (Gymnastics and Calistenics). Intercollegiate sports begin (Harvard vs. Yale). -
Invention of Baseball
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Civil War Period
- Battle of the Systems: debate among physical educators regarding which system of gymnastics should be in American schools
- Tennis, golf, bowling, basketball (Naismith) became popular.
- 1896: Revival of Olympics in Athens
- Colleges and universities develop departments and expand programs and intercollegiate athletics
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Early 20th Century
- Extensive interscholastic programs, controversy over girls participation
- Increased concern for the physcially underdeveloped in our society, playground movement
- Higher standards for teacher training (4 year preparation)
- NCAA established to monitor collegiate athletics
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Golden 20s
- Move away from formal systems of gymnastics toward games, sports, and recreation and leisure time
- Total development of the individual
- Calls for reform of collegiate athletics: professionalism, entertainment, and commercialization
- Women's programs increase staff, activities, participation, and facilities
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World War I
- Physical educators developed conditioning programs for armed forces
- After the war, health statistics revealed that the nation was in poor shape (1/3 unfit for service)
- Growth and upgrade of PE programs in schools due to legislation in some states
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Depression Years
- Economic forces lead to cutback in PE programs
- Growth of interscholastic, intercollegiate and women's programs
- Charles McCloy: education of the physical, documenting results and measuring progress of using scientific data.
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Mid 20th Century
- Impact of WW II physical training programs
- Eisenhower establishes President's Council on Youth Fitness
- Increased opportunities for girls and women, interest in lifetime sports, sport programs below high school, intramural programs
- Research grows in importance and becomes increasingly specialized
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Recent Developments
- Franklin Henry: 1964, calls for the study of the 'academic discipline' of physical education
- 1970s: knowledge base expands and subdisciplines emerge
- Ongoing debate about the best name for the discipline
- Disease prevention and health promotion
- Increased technology
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Reference Page
Walton-Fisette, J. L., & Wuest, D. A. (2018). Foundations of physical education, exercise science, and sport. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.