Book
An illustrated history of health and fitness, from pre-history to our post-modern world
Abstract
This book examines the health/fitness interaction in an historical context. Beginning in primitive hunter-gatherer communities, where survival required adequate physical activity, it goes on to consider changes in health and physical activity at subsequent stages in the evolution of "civilization." It focuses on the health impacts of a growing understanding of medicine and physiology, and the emergence of a middle-class with the time and money to choose between active and passive leisure pursuits. The book reflects on urbanization and industrialization in relation to the need for public health measures, and the ever-diminishing physical demands of the work-place. It then evaluates the attitudes of prelates, politicians, philosophers and teachers at each stage of the process. Finally, the book explores professional and governmental initiatives to increase public involvement in active leisure through various school, worksite, recreational and sports programmes.
Details | Table of Contents
pp.1-72
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_1health as a gift of the Gods
pp.73-154
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_2Minoa, Greece and Rome; a recognition of material causes of poor health and fitness
pp.155-239
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_3monasteries, medical schools and the dawn of state health care
pp.241-346
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_4the dawn of scientific enquiry into health and fitness
pp.347-445
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_5the impact of reason and religion upon health and fitness in a period of urban growth and industrialization
pp.447-557
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_6the birth of scientific societies and the blossoming of public health
pp.559-714
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_7blossoming of the olympic movement and the conquest of acute disease
pp.715-901
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_8chronic disease and the onslaught of a sedentary lifestyle
pp.903-1063
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11671-6_9Publication details
Publisher: Springer
Place: Dordrecht
Year: 2015
Pages: 1077
ISBN (hardback): 978-3-319-11670-9
ISBN (digital): 978-3-319-11671-6
Full citation:
(2015) An illustrated history of health and fitness, from pre-history to our post-modern world. Dordrecht, Springer.