The history and development of the department of physical education and sports

Abstract

The study analyses chronologically the history, current state and development of the Department of Physical Education and Sports on the Faculty of Arts at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica from the point of view of teaching physical education at the university. In the paper, the author focuses on analysis of the pedagogical, scientific and research activities of the department’s teachers. She introduces historical facts about the department’s separate periods of development since its creation and the origins of the academic study of physical education and thereafter she analyses individual milestones in development up to today. Additionally, the author points to the significant social activities of the department’s members as well as its athlete’s achievements – both as students and graduates. As part of the historical review, she references both members of the department and significant athletes.