“LABOR IN THE GARB OF YOUTHFUL MIRTH”: GYMNASTICS ACCORDING TO JOHANN CHRISTOPH FRIEDRICH GUTS MUTHS

Abstract

This paper focuses on the work of Johann Christoph Friedrich Guts Muths. At the end of the 18 th Century, this German teacher published one of the fundamental works for German gymnastics: Gymnastik für die Jugend (Gymnastics for Youth). Based essentially on the theories of the medical police, it presents a strong defense of the introduction of physical exercises as important means of regenerating and strengthen the German population.