- Docente: Franco Merni
- Credits: 3
- SSD: MEDF-01/B
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
First cycle degree programme (L) in
Exercise and Sport Sciences (cod. 8512)
Also valid for Campus of Rimini
First cycle degree programme (L) in Exercise and Sport Sciences (cod. 8766)
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from Sep 23, 2026 to Dec 16, 2026
Learning outcomes
The course will cover various topics, including: ancient Greek and Roman knowledge regarding physical exercise and health.
The scientific evolution of knowledge from the Middle Ages to the present day—spanning biological, medical-physiological, biomechanical, psychological, motor learning, pedagogical, and methodological perspectives across various European schools of physical education.
The evolution of sports techniques and training methods; the history of Italian legislation concerning physical education.
The origins and development of major sports disciplines and federations; and the history of the modern Olympic Games.
Course contents
The history of scientific research applied to Sports Science
Motor activity from prehistory—hunting, survival, ritual practice—to the physical activity of the first civilizations on different continents (Asia, Mesoamerica, the Middle East, the Mediterranean).
The Greek approach: the palaestra, the Gymnasium, the agones, athletes and coaches, training and diet.
Rome: the games, the circus, the amphitheatre, the baths, health and hygiene activities, aesthetics, and Galen's philosophy of medical gymnastics. Corporeality in the Christian vision.
The evolution of knowledge from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, from the anatomists (Mondino de Luzzi, Da Vinci, and Vesalius) to the first exercise physiologists (Harvey and Lavoisier).
The Italian and Bolognese scientists of the 17th and 18th centuries who made fundamental contributions to the knowledge of the human body and movement: Borelli, Malpighi, Galvani, Laura Bassi.
Movement school: Muybridge, Marey, Braune & Fischer, Bernstein, up to the optoelectronic and dynamic study of movement analysis.
The 20th century in Italy from Mosso and the Italian School of Exercise Physiology of Margaria et al.
The American (Hill, Dill, Costill, etc.) and Scandinavian schools of physiology (Astrand, Saltin, Komi)
The psycho-pedagogical approach to motor learning in the 20th century (Fleishman, Schmidt).
The training scientific methodological schools on:
Strength (from Berger USA to Zaciorski and Verkhoshansky CCCP);
Endurance (Reindel and Anstrand in Europe with Interval Training and in Australia with Ceruti and New Zealand with Lydiard and Marathon Training);
Training programming from Kottov to Matveev, Verkhoshansky, Mujika, Haff.
The History of Physical Education in Europe and Italy
Educational Practices in Europe and the Birth of Sport between the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Pedagogical and Methodological Foundations of European and American Physical Education Schools in the 19th Century.
Physical Education of the First Gymnasiarch (Obermann, Baumann) and Sports Practice in Italy in the 19th Century.
Physical Education in Italy from the Casati Law (1859) to the Gentile Reform (1923).
Physical Education in Italian Schools from 1923 to 1945.
Italian Schools and Physical Education during the Reconstruction Years (1945-1958).
School Physical Education from the Moro Law to 1980
Physical Education in Italian Schools from 1980 to 2014
The History of Sport and the Modern Olympics
History, organization, and philosophy of the ancient Olympics: the ancient games and records.
The beginning and evolution of the most important sports disciplines and sport Federations in the 19th century.
De Coubertin and the birth of the modern Olympics.
The pioneers of sport, the first champions, the legendary figures of popular sports.
Athletes, their careers and performances with the evolution of innovative training techniques and methodologies.
The technical, social, cultural, political, economic, and technical phenomenon in the modern Olympics from Athens 1986 to Paris 2024.
IOC and CONI: the Olympic and Paralympic movements, the evolution of their organization.
Readings/Bibliography
Bibliography for further reading in the field of Physical Education and Sport
Davis B., Bull R., Roscoe J., Roscoe D.
Physical Education and the Study of Sport, Mosby, Edinburgh, 2000
Mechikoff, Robert A.
A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education: from Ancient Civilizations to the Modern World. McGraw Hill, 2014
Shimon J. M.
Introduction to Teaching Physical Education Principles and strategies. Human Kinetics 2026
In-depth bibliography on the history of applied scientific research
Capozzo A., Marchetti M., Tosi V.
Biolocomotion: A Century of Research Using Moving Pictures. PROMOGRAPH, Rome 1992
Fleishman E. A.
The Structure and Measurement of Physical Fitness. Prentice-Hall Inc. Englewood Cliffs, 1964
Some History Chapters in Sports Science Books
Collins R. D., Hodges P.
A Comprehensive Guide to Sport Skill Tests and Measurement, Scarecrow Education Book, 2001
Haff G. G.
Scientific Foundations and Practical Applications of Training Periodization.
Human Kinetics 2025
McArdle W., Katch F. Katch V.
Exercise Physiology. Human Kinetics 2022
Schmidt R. Lee T.
Motor Control and Learning A behavioural emphasis. Human Kinetics 2011
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons
Laboratory: visit to the Library
Assessment methods
Oral exam with knowledge assessment, ability to connect different historical events
Ongoing project work designed with material found in the Library.
Teaching tools
PowerPoint presentations of lectures
Original documents and summaries during lectures
Bibliographic research in the library
Office hours
See the website of Franco Merni