Sports science can trace its origins back to Ancient Greece. The noted ancient Greek physician
Galen (131–201) wrote 87 detailed essays about improving health (proper nutrition), aerobic fitness, and strengthening muscles. New ideas upon the working and functioning of the human body emerged during the
Renaissance as anatomists and physicians challenged the previously known theories. These spread with the implementation of the printed word, the result of
Gutenberg's printing press in the 15th century. Allied with this was a large increase in academia in general, universities were forming all around the world. Importantly, these new scholars went beyond the simplistic notions of the early Greek physicians, and shed light upon the complexities of the circulatory, and digestive systems. Furthermore, by the middle of the 19th century, early medical schools (such as the
Harvard Medical School, formed 1782) began appearing in the United States, whose graduates went on to assume positions of importance in academia and allied medical research. Medical journal publications increased significantly in number during this period. In 1898, three articles on physical activity appeared in the first volume of the
American Journal of Physiology. Other articles and reviews subsequently appeared in prestigious journals. The German applied physiology publication,
Internationale Zeitschrift fur Physiologie einschliesslich Arbeitphysiologie (1929–1940; now known as the
European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology), became a significant journal in the field of research. A number of key figures have made significant contributions to the study of sports science: •
Austin Flint, Jr., (1836–1915) One of the first American pioneer physicians, studied physiological responses to exercise in his influential medical textbooks. •
Edward Hitchcock, Jr., (1828–1911)
Amherst College Professor of Hygiene and Physical Education, devoted his academic career to the scientific study of physical exercise, training, and the body. Coauthored 1860 text on exercise physiology. • George Wells Fitz, M.D. (1860–1934) Created the first departmental major in Anatomy, Physiology, and Physical Training at Harvard University in 1891. •
August Krogh (1874–1949) Won the 1920 Nobel Prize in physiology for discovering the mechanism that controlled capillary blood flow in resting or active muscle. •
Per-Olof Åstrand (1922–2015) Professor at the Department of Physiology,
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm. Wrote a seminal paper which evaluated the physical working capacity of men and women aged 4–33 years. == Study of sports science ==