Bill Hayes, award-winning journalist, explores the origins of exercise, its historical evolution, the value of sweat in ancient Greece, and the impact of Christianity on exercise. He also discusses the scientific evidence for exercise benefits and the pioneering research by Jeremy Morris.
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Quick takeaways
Exercise has been valued for centuries and was advocated by ancient Greek and Roman physicians for overall health and well-being.
The rise of Christianity led to a decline in the culture of exercise, but it later became more accepted in the Enlightenment period.
Deep dives
Exercise as a Delight for Body and Soul
Exercise has been valued for its benefits to overall health and well-being for centuries. Ancient Greek and Roman physicians like Hippocrates and Galen understood the importance of exercise in maintaining equilibrium in the body. They advocated for customized exercise regimens that were tailored to individual needs and incorporated into daily life. Gymnasiums were prevalent in ancient societies, but only accessible to men of the upper classes. It wasn't until the 19th century that women gained more opportunities to participate in exercise. Interestingly, exercise in ancient Greece was done naked and the sweat of athletes was prized and sold for medicinal purposes.
The Influence of Christianity on Exercise
The rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire saw a decline in the culture of exercise and athletics. Constantine the Great banned gladiatorial contests, and later, athletic competition in general came to be associated with pagan rituals and was frowned upon. The focus shifted to glorifying the soul rather than the body, leading to an anti-exercise attitude. However, in the Enlightenment period of the 18th century, exercise began to be more accepted as knowledge of the human body improved. Christianity and exercise eventually became coupled together, exemplified by the establishment of the YMCA and the launch of the Muscular Christianity movement.
Scientific Evidence for Exercise Benefits
It wasn't until the early 1950s that scientific evidence for the benefits of exercise was firmly established. British epidemiologist Jeremy Morris conducted a pioneering study in which he compared the health of sedentary drivers with that of active conductors on double decker buses and trams. Morris found that conductors had significantly lower rates of heart disease and experienced the onset of the disease at a later age. This study paved the way for further scientific research into exercise and contributed to the fitness and wellness culture we have today.
Exercise isn't just our modern obsession: the ancients were keen on it, too. That's according to award-winning journalist Bill Hayes, who joins us today to describe how our fanaticism for working out has evolved.
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