Thoughts on gymnastics in Rio de Janeiro medical journals in the first half of the nineteenth century

During the 19^th century, gymnastics was discussed, recognized as an important issue and disseminated by institutions that attributed itself the domain of medical knowledge. We are interested in think about these linkages between medical knowledge and practice and gymnastics, trying to understand how this particular look has acquired legitimacy, providing a comprehension which was manifested in the introduction of the practice in Brazilian schools. In this sense, this study aims to discuss the thoughts on gymnastics published in three medical journals edited in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the first half of the 19^th century: Semanário de Saúde Pública,Revista Médica Fluminense and Revista Médica Brasileira.

gymnastics; physical education; medicine