"The Art of Gymnastics" - Medieval Ideas about Physical Culture and Sports

In 1573, the Italian physician and humanist Hieronymus Mercurialis wrote a book that became fundamental for physical culture in Europe - "The Art of Gymnastics" ("De Arte Gymnastica"). This work opened a new understanding of the benefits of exercise for health and harmonious development.

Until that time, physical activity was perceived mainly as a necessity: the struggle for survival or participation in military operations.

And only predominantly wealthy people had the opportunity to lead a sedentary lifestyle, engaging in intellectual activity. But this was accompanied by the risk of developing obesity, gout and problems with the cardiovascular system.

As living conditions and food availability improved, the need for a meaningful approach to physical activity began to increase. 

The first book in Medieval Europe devoted to movement was Libro del Exercicio, written by the Spanish physician Cristobal Mendez in 1553. However, it was Mercurialis who laid the real foundation for the science of physical culture. He studied and adapted ancient texts on medicine and gymnastics, collecting the wisdom of ancient Greek and Roman scholars. His work combined ancient ideas with the needs of his contemporaries, making gymnastics accessible and understandable to a wide audience. 

Mercurialis divided physical exercises into three categories: therapeutic, military, and athletic. Therapeutic exercises were aimed at improving health and preventing disease, military exercises were aimed at preparing for combat, and he considered athletic exercises useless and even harmful, since they caused excessive stress and led to exhaustion. He condemned competitions as a manifestation of vanity, preferring exercises aimed at maintaining health without excessive fatigue. 

In his work, Mercurialis described a wide range of physical activities: walking, running, jumping, fencing, weight lifting, wrestling, boxing and horse riding. For health, he recommended bathing instead of swimming, and shadow boxing instead of boxing to avoid overexertion.

However, for Mercurialis, physical development was only part of a broader concept of harmony. He believed that a person should develop comprehensively - physically, spiritually and morally. Therefore, the Italian humanist recommended alternating sports with intellectual activity.