The Many Benefits of Sporting Activity
Sports refer to all types of physical activities undertaken for recreation and fitness. It includes athletics, motor sports, gymnastics, skating and other physical exercises. The word ‘sport’ actually derives from the Greek word “sport” which means playing. In recent years, the term sport has also come to include any type of physical activity undertaken for competitive advantage or to gain social status, e.g. team or sports personified.
The definition of a sport can change slightly from one dictionary to the next. Generally, sports are broadly defined as a physical activity involving a competitive degree of endeavor, including gymnastic, running or basketball. Many types of physical activity and some games are also known as sports. In some cultures, a person who plays sports is regarded as a specialist. For example, a professional in a certain sport is regarded as an athlete.
Some sports are competitive between individuals, while others may be competitive between teams. Most sports involve some sort of contact, though bare feet, contact with a ball or some other sort of contact will certainly not contribute to the game. Some sports refer to physical activity carried out with a particular sport equipment, such as basketball shoes. Such equipment is designed for the particular sports in question. These shoes are usually specially made to facilitate gripping, walking and jumping, in particular.
A sport often defines its own rules, regulation of competitions and events, and eligibility requirements. Many sports can be divided into levels of competitiveness, each with its own set of qualifying criteria. Competitions may be open to teams only or open to the public. Other divisions within a sport may be hereditary or based on physical ability, for example. Often, there is a distinction between amateur and professional competition. For example, while cheerleading and gymnastics are considering amateur sports, they are considered professional sports when performed by those in uniforms.
Professional sports provide the means for recognition and commercial success for those who participate. Professional sport requires a lot more than just sporting aptitude or natural talent. It requires dedication, hard work and the ability to follow a schedule. Sports can make people stronger physically, mentally and emotionally and allow them to develop their special skills, for example; ball handling, skating, swimming, rugby and golf. Competitive sports also teach people valuable skills, including responsibility, sportsmanship, teamwork, sportsmanship, which they can apply in their daily lives.
Sport, like other pastimes, has been enjoyed and celebrated for thousands of years. In the past, most people only engaged in one type of sport: running, hunting, fishing, shooting, polo and horseback riding, the list being as long as the human species. As humans began to live longer, the need for activities that could be enjoyed throughout the day was required. These activities were integrated with farming, earning and protecting livestock and eventually becoming a recreational pastime or sport. The importance of sports in our society today is something we can all appreciate.
