Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths

Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths
GutsMuths statue in Quedlinburg
House of birth

Johann Christoph Friedrich GutsMuths, also called Guts Muth or Gutsmuths (9 August 1759 – 21 May 1839), was a teacher and educator in Germany, and is especially known for his role in the development of physical education. He is thought of as the "grandfather of gymnastics" – the "father" being Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. GutsMuths introduced systematic physical exercise into the school curriculum, and he developed the basic principles of artistic gymnastics.[1] GutsMuths is also considered by many to be the father of modern pole vaulting, as he described the jumping standards, the distance of the approach, recommendations on hand grip, and the principles of pole jumping.[2][3]

  1. ^ Goodbody, John (1982). The Illustrated History of Gymnastics. London: Stanley Paul & Co. ISBN 0-09-143350-9.
  2. ^ De Castro, Dylan (21 August 2012). "Ancient Pole Vaulting". Vaulter Magazine.
  3. ^ Memmel, Eliah (May 2017). "Development of Pole Vaulting Safety and Technology". Vaulter Magazine. No. 61. pp. 18–22.