History of Physical Therapy and Kinesiology: From Ancient Greece to Modern Times

Renaissance (XV-XVI Centuries)

Renaissance: Vesalius performed dissections on cadavers and published De corporis fabrica libri septem. Pare, a French surgeon, advised stump massage and treated atrophied muscles and retractions. Mendez Cristobal wrote a book on therapeutic exercise. Subsequent publications highlighted the benefits of different types of exercise, including passive exercise for paralyzed patients. Savonarola wrote on balneotherapy in De Balneis et Thermis. Pietro Vergerio advocated physical education programs for young nobles, emphasizing mental and physical education, including hydrothermal therapy such as swimming. William Gilbert studied magnetism and electricity in De Magnete.

Ancient Greece

Greece: Ascetics emphasized the health of both body and mind. Athletes trained for competition. Aristotle laid the foundations of kinesiology by studying body movement, gravity, and the laws of motion. Thales of Miletus observed that amber could be rubbed to attract objects, noted the properties of torpedo fish, and linked water, heat, and sunlight to life and springs. Diocles of Carystus performed dissections and described the benefits of massage and subsequent rest. Hippocrates wrote On Airs, Waters, and Places and On Regimen in Acute Diseases, emphasizing diet, anatripsis (rubbing), ambulation, the importance of physical activity, climate, and self-treatment. Herophilus studied voluntary movement and performed public dissections of human and animal bodies.

19th Century

19th Century: Ling developed the principles of physical education and moral citizenship through gymnastics. His movement system included passive, active, dual, and muscle-antagonist exercises, as well as the treatment of contractures, eccentric and concentric exercise, and Swedish massage. Kneipp and Priessnitz pioneered hydrotherapy. Duchenne de Boulogne applied electrical stimulation to specific motor points. Taylor Still founded osteopathy. Delpech contributed to the Montpellier school's work on scoliosis. Zander developed mechanotherapy. D'Arsonval introduced diathermy and high-frequency electrical currents. Francisco Amor promoted education in gymnastics and morals. Pravaz developed the wheel of Hombo.

17th-18th Century

17th-18th Century: Giovanni Borelli wrote De Motu Animalium, describing the mechanics of muscle movement. Barthez analyzed posture and movement and studied salt injections into muscles. Alfonso Limon Montero worked on hydrotherapy and studied Spanish mineral waters. Hunter described agonist and antagonist muscles and early movement. Tissot wrote a book on therapeutic exercise, describing gymnastic methods, movement operations, and the study of anatomy and movement. Coulomb and Cavendish measured the strength of electrical effects. Volta developed galvanic electricity and studied electrical reflex contraction. Galvani studied animal electricity, the Leyden jar, and conductors such as silver, gold, and copper.