跑与举（负）重活动形式的产生，源于原始人类的生活实践，是人类必须具备的基本技能。由于军事和战争的需要，在历史的发展中，跑与举（负）重这两项运动技能不断得到提高。各个时期出现了不同形式的长距离跑和不同特点的举（负）重，进一步丰富了中国体育的内容。
Race and physical training
At the very beginning of human history, running and weightlifting were basic skills required of all those engaged in productive labour or military training. And they must improve these physical abilities constantly, if they wanted to work better and, in times of war, to win a battle, in which one must be able to run fast over long distances - often with something heavy in hand or on back. Thus running and weightlifting became all-important physical exercises and sporting events- at all times for people of all walks of life.
“伍伯”是汉代车骑出行队列中位队列之首、作为引导的具有长途奔跑能力的武士。这幅彩绘出行图，突出的描绘了“伍伯”在急驰的马车前奔跑的形象。
Painting on a lacquer box for cosmetics, dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) and unearthed in Jingmen, Hubei Province. The carriage is led by officers well trained in running.
该画像共7人，自左至右分别为武士手持兵器搏虎、拔树、背兽、举鼎等形象，是一件典型的描绘武士习练勇力的作品。
Warriors in physical training: An Eastern Han stone carving excavated in 1957 in Tongshan County, Jiangsu Province. The exercises include fighting with a tiger, carrying an animal on one's back, pulling out a tree and lifting a tripod.
画面描绘的是4个持械伍伯在出行队列前奔跑的情景。
A carved brick in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) showing four solders dashing forward with weapons in hand. Excavated in 1985 in Pengxian County, Sichuan Province.
这是一幅内容包括舞车轮在内的表现多种百戏活动形式的壁画，是武士练力形式的形象反映。
A Han mural depicting a variety show as a means for the soldiers to strengthen their muscles. Unearthed in 1972 in Horinger, Inner Mongolia.
壁画反映了一群力士正在进行搬石竞赛的情景。这种竞赛形式是藏族特有的传统体育内容。
Par of a mural in the Potala in Lhasa Tibet Autonomous Region, painted in the Qing Dynasty (1611-1911), showing a stone carring contest a traditional sport among the Tibetans.