The German Sports Badge was first created in the year 1913 and is one of the oldest awards of Germany still in active circulation. At first the German Sports Badge was only issued to men for the completion of various physical tests. In 1921 it was renamed to Deutsches Turn- und Sportabzeichen and women were eligible as well.

In Nazi Germany the design of the badge remained basically the same but a swastika was added at its base. Since 1935, the letters "DRL" ("Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen") replaced the letters "DRA" ("Deutscher Reichsausschuss für Leibesübungen"). On 1 July 1937 was renamed to Deutsche Reichsauszeichnung für Leibesübungen and obtained the status as an official recognised decoration of the state. In 1938, the Austrian Sports Badge was incorporated in the German Sports badge. The last tests for the Deutsche Reichsauszeichnung für Leibesübungen were held in 1944.