An Illustrated History of Health and Fitness, from Pre-History to our Post-Modern World – eBook

An Illustrated History of Health and Fitness, from Pre-History to our Post-Modern World, (PDF) explores the health/fitness interaction in a historical context. Beginning in primitive hunter-gatherer communities, where survival required adequate physical activity, it goes on to consider transformations in health and physical activity at subsequent stages in the evolution of “civilization.” It focuses on the health influences 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 ebook 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 ebook explores professional and governmental initiatives to improve public involvement in active leisure through various school, recreational, worksite, and sports programs.

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