What was the basis of Per Henrik Ling's system of gymnastics?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Per Henrik Ling developed his system of gymnastics in 1814 at the Royal Gymnastics Central Institute. His system later became known worldwide as the Swedish system. J. G. Thulin describes the basis of Ling's system as follows:

Physical exercise must be based on the laws of the human system and influence not only the body but also the mind. The fundamental principles can be briefly comprised in the following four clauses:

1. The aim is all-around harmonious development of the body.
2. The attainment of this is sought by means of biologically and physiologically grounded physical exercises in definite form and, as far as possible, of known effect.
3. The exercises must have developmental and corrective values, be easily understood, and satisfy our demand for beauty.
4. The exercises must be carried out with a gradually increasing degree of difficulty and exertion.

What Ling did was to ground his system in the science of the day, and as a result, he incorporated (1) aesthetic, (2) military, (3) pedagogical, and (4) medical aspects of exercise. He believed that these four components were linked with each other and in concert enabled his pupils to achieve a unifying relationship of mind, body, and duty to Sweden; health was a harmony between the nervous, circulatory, and respiratory systems. Ling's system was designed to help achieve this end.