History of PE, Exercise Science & Sport Timeline 1600 - present

  • Colonial Period

    Settlers engaged in many sports. For example many kind of sports were popular. Like running,boxing, wrestling, horse racing, cock fights, fox hunts, cricket, and football (soccer).
  • National Period

    During the 1800s, free public education became to slowly become available. In the 1820s-1830s PE began to incorporated into school curriculum.
  • National Period

    Catharine Beecher developed PE programs in Hartford female seminary. She was among the first to advocate for daily PE in public schools.
  • Civil War Period

    The first YMCA was founded. Later, the YMCA International Training School was founded and later became Springfield College.
  • National Period

    In the 1840s many Germans immigrated to the United States bringing their customs. The first national Turnfest held in Philadelphia.
  • National Period

    First intercollegiate competition. It was a crew race between Harvard and Yale, with Harvard winning the race.
  • Civil War Period

    Dioclesian Lewis developed Lewis system of "light" gymnastics. He later established the Normal Institute for Physical Education in Boston which was the first teacher training program in the United States
  • Civil War Period

    Lewis established the Normal Institute for PE in Boston. The courses offered were anatomy and physiology, hygiene, and gymnastics.
  • Civil War Period

    Dudley Sargent founded the sanatory gymnasium. It was a school the prepared physical education teachers to utilize his scientific and comprehensive approach in physical education.
  • Civil War Period

    Delphine Hanna first woman full professor of PE in the United States.
  • World War I

    1/3 of the men were unfit for service. Also many of the men were found to be physically inept.
  • Golden Twenties

    Jesse Williams published "The Principals of Physical Education." It emphasized his beliefs about unity of mind and body.
  • Early Twentieth Century

    National Recreation Association formed. This program helped develop a whole individual plan to get people to participate in games, sports, and outdoor activities.
  • Depression Years

    Almost half of the PE programs were dropped because of lack of funding. Between 1932-1934 an estimated 40% of the physical education programs were dropped completely.
  • Mid-Twentieth Century

    The President's Council on Youth and Fitness was established. The forerunner to the current President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.
  • Mid-Twentieth Century

    Lifetime Sports Foundation was established. It was instrumental in providing leadership in this area.
  • Mid-Twentieth Century

    The growth of participation opportunities for people with disabilities increased. The Special Olympics was founded in 1968.
  • 1970-Present Time

    Title IX prohibits sex discrimination. The major reason that this came into existence was to ensure the girls and women receive the same rights as boys and men.
  • 1970-Present Time

    Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. The mandates have resulted in significant changes in the conduct of physical education and athletic programs for people who have disabilities.
  • 1970-Present Time

    The Olympics have become an embedded component of our global culture. The line between amateurism and professionalism has disappeared.
  • References

    Wuest, Deborah and Fisette, Jennifer.
    Foundations of Physical Education,
    Exercise Science, and Sport. McGraw-Hill
    Education, 2015.