The union was established in 1946, with the first sport club LZS Czarnowąsy in Opole Voivodeship.

It was initially a subset of the Inspectorate of Physical Education and Sport under the Samopomoc Chłopska (Peasant Mutual Aid) organizations in villages and small towns.

However, structures were established at the province or Voivodeship levels by 1950, due to the LZS's popularity.

The goals of LZS activity are to lead in the range of physical education and sport.

The best known clubs in the union are Igloopol Dębica (formerly in Polish First Division in football) and Kmita Zabierzów.