GYMNASTICS (see GYMNASIUM), a term, in its more restricted and proper sense, applied to those exercises, not amounting in intricacy to games, by which particular limbs, either singly or in combination, are rendered more pliantor stronger ; these exer cises are arranged in a due progression, and the entire series becomes a system under the name gymnastics. Swimming (q.v.), boating, and games like golf (q.v.), cricket (q.v.), etc., are among the most efficient gymnastic exercises ; but in this article atten tion will be confined to exercises whose primary and direct aim is muscular development and health.
Gymnastic games are so old as to be pre-historic ; they are alluded to in the 2d and 23d books of the Iliad. Before the time of Hippocrates, gymnastic exercises had been adopted in Greece as part of the course of medicine intended to counteract increasing luxury and indolence. • The various exercises were speedily combined into a system, and gymnasia, where they should be carried out, were formed first by the Lacedme monians, and subsequently at Athens. See GYMNASIUM. The Romans adopted the system, and constructed gymnasia on a magnificent scale. Many of their buildings, having had extensive baths attached, were known as Thernme. The exercises in the gymnasia consisted of running, leaping, dancing, wrestling, boxing, hurling, etc. ; and in those days, when all men bore arms, and when, in close combat, victory went gen with the strongest man, these games were doubtless of great value. In subsequent ages of knightly prowess. similar exercises were probably practiced, though less pub licly ; but with the introduction of gunpowder, and through its means, the gradual substitution of fighting at a distance—in which Science and skill were the main requ sites—for personal encounters where strength and muscle went far to carry the day, the attention paid to gymnastics decreased, and finally vanished altogether. To make infantry soldiers perfect in the drilled movements of masses, cavalry good horsemen and fair swordsmen, and to have gunners who could take an accurate aim, became the utmost sought by the possessors of great armies ; while the science of gymnastics, hav ing gone out of repute for the military, was speedily neglected in merely civil life. It
is only from the earlier portion of the present century that the science has at all re. ;ved.
The revival commenced in Prussia, where, about 1806, gymnasia were opened by Basedow and Salzmann, that of the latter being under the superintendence of the cele brated gymnastic pedagogue Guts Muths (q.v.); Jahn followed in the same line, and rendered the science so popular that it speedily attracted the attention of the youth throughout the kingdom, and to the training thus obtained must be attributed, in no small degree, the vigor which succeeded in driving out the French army of the first empire. Sweden soon imitated Prussia, and from that time gymnastics have formed prominent feature in the Scandinavian. course of education. In.Prussia, the gymnasia began to be the Scenes of•pelitical gatherings, too liberal in tendeney to please its semi military government; and in 1818 they were all closed. The troops were, however, continued in gymnastic exercises, and showed so clearly the advantages of the training experienced, that, about 1844, Louis Philippe adopted and improved the system in the French army. From that time, gymnasia have been constructed for almost all conti nental armies, and, with more or less success, for the civil population. England, last ordinarily in public improvements, only moved in the matter a few years ago by estab lishing instruction in the science at Aldershot and other camps; iu private life, however, there have long been many excellent gymnasia.
Different instructors adopt various systems of instruction. The course passed through in the French army is, however, one among the best, as its fruits evince, in the remarkable activity and readiness for emergency displayed by the soldiers who have undergone it. The equipment consists of a broad belt, to be strapped tightly round the waist above the hips, as a support to the body in the arduous motions to ensue, braces being of course discarded. The implements most commonly required are an iron hall in a rope-sling, with a loop for the hand to pass through; wrestling-handles, consisting of two wooden bars, each about 18 in. long, connected by stout cordage; a club; leap ing bars, to be leaped over; and leaping-poles wherewith to leap.