In the interwar period, gymnastics remained one of the key methods of general physical education, playing an important role in shaping the proper physical development of children and youth, as well as in maintaining the fitness of people of various ages, which was particularly significant in the context of their usefulness for the defense of the homeland. With the restoration of Poland's independence, socio-political and economic changes, along with attempts by state authorities to instrumentalize physical culture, had a significant impact on many aspects and forms of gymnastics development in the country. Gymnastics was tasked with the challenging role of influencing individuals in educational and patriotic terms, in biological development processes, in recreation, as well as in the realm of competition, or sports, which were understood differently by the Polish Sports Associations Union and the "Sokół" Gymnastic Society.

In the rich body of scientific literature on Polish physical culture during the interwar period, there is a lack of comprehensive works addressing the development of gymnastics in Poland. Existing studies mainly focus on the activities of the "Sokół" Gymnastic Society in Poland, individual branches, districts, and regions, as well as the development of physical culture during the interwar period, selected aspects of gymnastics, or the athletic achievements of gymnasts. Among the many articles included in monographs dedicated to the history of gymnastics in Poland, there is a noticeable absence of works that comprehensively cover the history of basic, recreational, and sport (apparatus) gymnastics. The authors aim to fill this gap by preparing a monographic study.