Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths
Encyclopedia
Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths, also called Guts Muth or Gutsmuths (9 August 1759, Quedlinburg
, Saxony-Anhalt
, Germany
- 21 May 1839, Waltershausen
, Thuringia
, Germany
) was a teacher and educator in Germany
, and is especially known for his role in the development of physical education
. He introduced systematic physical exercises into the school curriculum, and he developed the basic principles of artistic gymnastics
.
In 1793, GutsMuths published Gymnastik für die Jugend, the first systematic textbook in gymnastics
. In 1800, his work on physical education was translated into English and published in England under the title "Gymnastics for youth: or A practical guide to healthful and amusing exercises for the use of schools" where it became a standard reference.
Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg is a town located north of the Harz mountains, in the district of Harz in the west of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. In 1994 the medieval court and the old town was set on the UNESCO world heritage list....
, Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt is a landlocked state of Germany. Its capital is Magdeburg and it is surrounded by the German states of Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia.Saxony-Anhalt covers an area of...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
- 21 May 1839, Waltershausen
Waltershausen
Waltershausen is a city in the district of Gotha, Thuringia, Germany.The town has a population of 11475 .-Sister cities: Bruay-sur-l'Escaut, France Korbach, Germany Wolbrom, Poland Hanau, Germany -External links:*...
, Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) was a teacher and educator in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and is especially known for his role in the development of physical education
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
. He introduced systematic physical exercises into the school curriculum, and he developed the basic principles of artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...
.
In 1793, GutsMuths published Gymnastik für die Jugend, the first systematic textbook in gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
. In 1800, his work on physical education was translated into English and published in England under the title "Gymnastics for youth: or A practical guide to healthful and amusing exercises for the use of schools" where it became a standard reference.