Physical Education, Sport, and Movement — Prevention, Therapy, Rehabilitation

Abstract

As defined by the World Health Organisation, health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being. This state of well-being is an important characteristic, but nevertheless only a subjective symptom, among others, of good health. Good health is, however, more generally and fundamentally defined as a state of physiological equilibrium, of the dynamic equilibrium of substances, forms and functions of the organism in relation to the demands of the environment. This dynamic equilibrium is maintained by physical and mental forces, by the biochemical capacity of the endocrine glands, and by the regulative power of the autonomic nervous system and other regulatory systems.Today it is regarded as an assured fact that a proper amount of physical training can very effectively promote physical strength and performance, as well as increase the power and capacity of the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems, and thus the stability of health of the organism.Close internal relationships, dictated by natural laws, exist between organic forms and functions. The organic form determines the function and, in turn, the function has a formative, modifying influence on the organic form. Without these natural relationships between function and fQrm there would be no adaptation of the organism to the changing and growing demands of the environment, and no increase in physical performance, without which good health cannot be maintained. Deficient functions and an unnatural lack of movement and physical performance result in the organs becoming atrophied, inefficient and, in many respects, morbid and susceptible to disease.Our technological civilisation has placed man, who formerly lived naturally, in a changed environment. Machines relieve him of almost all physical labour, even that of his own locomotion. In exchange, he is subjected to a constantly increasing nervous strain and to overstrain. 16 Olympia Congress Report * Translated from German.