Pedagogiczne aspekty sportu i rekreacji

Abstract

The article presents the educational aspects of physical fitness exercises and the practice of various forms of active recreation. The differences between these two disciplines are also high-lighted. The discussion explores the topic of „free time”, which constitutes a kind of conditio sine qua non for understanding the principles of the issue of sport and recreation. An outline of the
development of physical fitness competition during the centuries is presented, emphasizing, among others, its political and religious origins in ancient times.
Discussing the medieval forms of physical fitness training, attention is drawn to both the
knighthood, which was at the forefront of this, and to the poorer social classes, exemplified by
English archers, who were encouraged to practice with the bow by their monarchs. During the
18th and 19th centuries, the social and political importance of physical exercise increased, particularly, in Scandinavia and on the territory of German Reich, as did the connection between physical fitness and health promotion. The article also contains important indications regarding the growing importance of politics in sport and its connections with various social formations, including
criminal circles. In the article, one can find a significant statement that, although sport and recreation initially developed together, in contemporary times it has become clear that both disciplines are increasingly following different paths, sport primarily towards „effectiveness”, while recreation, on the other hand, towards health-promoting activities. Also important is the assertion noted
in the text of article that values such as fair play competition and respect for the dignity of others should play a greater role in both sport and recreation.