noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
gymnastics; physical exercises; calisthenics
General term for structured physical exercises, including school warm-ups, radio calisthenics, and fitness routines. Often used with する to mean 'do exercises'.
毎朝ラジオ体操をしている。
I do radio calisthenics every morning.
体育の授業
We do warm-up exercises in PE class.
noun
artistic gymnastics; gymnastics competition
Abbreviation of 体操競技. Refers specifically to the competitive sport of artistic gymnastics, not general exercise.
See also: 体操競技
オリンピックの体操競技で金メダルを取った。
She won a gold medal in the Olympic gymnastics competition.
noun
physical education; PE (class)
Obsolete term for physical education class; modern Japanese uses 体育. Historical or older-text usage only.
See also: 体育
昔は学校で「体操」の時間があった。
In the past, schools had a 'gymnastics' period.