noun
physical culturist; athlete
Refers to a person devoted to physical culture or athletic training, often with a connotation of expertise or dedication. Slightly formal or old-fashioned; アスリート is more common for modern athletes.
彼は体育家として知られ、毎日のトレーニングを欠かさない。
He is known as a physical culturist and never misses his daily training.
その体育家は若い選手たちの指導にも力を入れている。
That physical culturist also puts effort into coaching young athletes.
スポーツマン is a general term for a sportsman, often implying fair play, whereas 体育家 focuses on physical education and cultivation.
Compound of 体育 (physical education) and 家 (person, expert). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows a common pattern for designating specialists.