PE 116 Movement Education Kevin Juon Date 4-21-99
             The word gymnastics came from the Greeks. The Greeks
             used this word to describe any type of physical activity.
             Exercise was an important part of their education process,
             sort of like what is in place today. They used exercise in
             order to beautify the body, promote health, comfort,
             strength, and vigor. The Romans took the Greeks beliefs on
             exercise, and used them in training their military forces.
             After the Romans, exercising virtually dropped off the face
             of the Earth until Johann Basedow (1723-1790) opened a
             school in 1774. Then once again, it became part of
             education. Today, hundreds of years after the Greeks, many
             people exercise for these same reasons they did.
             The Spartans also exercised, and one of the things they
             did were balancing activities. This was most likely
             important to the Spartans for different reasons, for
             example, it would help them during battle to be able to keep
             their balance. Schools today also use the balance beam even
             though it is not because they want the kids to be prepared
             for battle. The balance beam will help the kids acquire the
             balance needed in many activities they will perform as kids,
             Many types of gymnastics help balance, but there is no
             single activity that requires balance like the balance beam.
             The balance beam is able to be used for all different skill
             levels because the height of the beam can be adjusted. The
             teacher of a class is able to have the kids first try the
             exercise trying to stay on a piece of tape that was put on
             the floor. Then they could have the kids try it on a
             bleacher, it is a higher up, but is also wider than a
             regulation balance beam. Finally, once the kids get the
             hang of it, they can have them try the exercises on the
             balance beam. A direct result of the balance beam use, 'is
             the development and good use of the muscles in the feet'
             ...