History of Exercise: Part 1IntroductionSlide 3Slide 4Introduction: Sport and CultureIntroduction: Sport and WarfareSlide 7Slide 8Sumer—4000 B.C.Slide 10Slide 11Ancient Egypt (3000 B.C.)Slide 13Slide 14Slide 15Sports in Ancient EgyptSport/Recreation in EgyptSlide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Slide 22Purpose of Sport in EgyptSlide 24ChinaChinese Culture (1500 B.C.-900 A.D.)Chinese CultureChina: Sport & RecreationChina: Popular SportsSlide 30Slide 31MesoamericaSlide 33Slide 34Slide 35Slide 36History of Exercise: Part 1: SummarySlide 38History of Exercise: Part 1Sumer, Egypt, China, and Mesoamerica Mechikoff & Estes, A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Fourth Edition © 2006, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.IntroductionKnowledge of the benefits of exercise & engagement in physical activity has been traced back to antiquityMarcus Cicero, around 65 BC, stated: "It is exercise alone that supports the spirits and keeps the mind invigor”IntroductionLike today, ancient societies valuedAthletic abilityPhysical fitnessCompetitionIntroductionThese activities served dual purposesEvolutionary purposes•Survival of the fittest (hunting, fishing)•Competition for survival during war (running, wrestling, archery)Cultural purposes•Entertainment•Religious rituals (sacrificing to gods)Introduction: Sport and Culture Honor and respect were given to those who had courage & athletic skills to hunt for food as individuals & in teamsBest hunter was honored and participated in playful activitiesOver time, this desire to survive, compete for honor, and win became part of culture & began being expressed through games and sportsIntroduction: Sport and WarfareAdditionally, warfare was routine in ancient timesAncient civilizations:•Formed armies•Developed physical training programs•Trained warriorsIntroduction: Sport and WarfareAthletic ability required for military combat training: Included endurance running, wrestling, and swimmingCombat sports, such as martial arts, boxing, wrestling, spear throwing (javelin), and archery, emergedThese sports are still popular todayExample: the modern pentathlon was developed to promote military skills needed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuriesIntroductionMany ancient cultures show evidence of sport The four we will discuss include:SumerEgyptChinaMesoamericaSumer—4000 B.C.World's first known civilizationLocated in Mesopotamia, a region lying in present-day Iraq“Cradle of Civilization”Sumerian civilization flourished more than 5,000 years agoSumer—4000 B.C.Early Sumerian cities were characterized by a high degree of social and economic diversitygave rise to artisans, merchants, priests, bureaucrats and, for the first time in history, professional soldiersNo society of the Bronze Age was more advanced in the design and application of military weaponry and techniqueSumer—4000 B.C.Sumerian invention of the chariot ranks among the major military innovations in historyChariot drivers, archers, and spearmen became the elite fighting corps of the ancient worldWarriors engaged in activities that developed their athletic ability and necessitated development of physical fitnessAncient Egypt (3000 B.C.)The ancient Egyptians were accomplished athletes, and sport played a prominent role in their culture They held competitions and organized championships, and they competed in international eventsIt could be said that, in Egypt, sport was born and flourished, and from there it spread to Greece, Rome, and to the rest of the worldAncient Egypt (3000 B.C.)Much of what we know about the ancient Egyptians, their culture, & the significance of and their engagement in sport & sporting events and play is revealed in the paintings found in tomb paintings and in the countless artifacts that have been discoveredAncient Egypt (3000 B.C.)Murals in tombs depict games & sport:Track & field, swimming, wrestling, dancing, gymnastics, hockey and yoga-type exercisesAncient Egypt (3000 B.C.)Artifacts show evidence of widespread sports and games Many existed because of the constant threat of war•Such as combat sports like boxing and wrestling •Archery, running, and swimming insured one's survival in war–Competitions were held in these sportsRecreational sports also popular•such as fishing, boating, board gamesSports in Ancient EgyptHuntingArchery Boxing Equestrian Sports Including Chariot Racing Fencing - Sword fights using wooden swords Dancing/Gymnastics Hockey - an early form of this sport was played as a team sport Rowing Swimming Weightlifting Wrestling Various Ball Games Long Jump High Jump Long Distance Running Spear Throwing (Javelin) Tug Of WarSport/Recreation in EgyptHunting and Fishingvery popular as a sport for noblemena matter of survival for peasants•meat for eating•offerings to the gods•other uses were for their skins or feathers•some kept in zoos, an invention of the EgyptiansSport/Recreation in EgyptDancing popular among all classes of EgyptiansAmong the wealthy, feasts were a frequent occurrence and musicians and dancers provided entertainmentSport/Recreation in EgyptJavelin throwing most likely associated with hunting for both sport and the provision of foodSport/Recreation in EgyptArchery a very popular recreation sport in Egyptit seems to have been practiced more by royalty for entertainment purposes than for practical meansSport/Recreation in EgyptWith the fact that Egypt lies on the banks of the Nile River it is quite likely to assume that many of the ancient Egyptian sports were water relatedEvidence indicates that Egyptians enjoyed such sporting events as swimming and rowingSport/Recreation in EgyptJudging by drawings and paintings, ancient Egypt sports also included an assortment of ball gamesOne of the games involving ball play appears to be a version of handballOther games were played using balls and bats fashioned from palm treesPurpose of Sport in EgyptSports were a means by which famous Egyptian monarchs represented themselves to their people Egyptian monarchs exhibited physical strength, courage and the ability to engage in various athletic activitiesEgypt’s queens were also portrayed as “sports fans”Purpose of Sport in EgyptAnother purpose of sport in Egypt was training for warfareEgyptians were superb warriorsPhysical training for soldiers was harsh and physically demandingBow & arrow and foot speed were primary weaponsArchery and combat sports played a vital role in preparation for