The Development of American Sports
Sports are activities that require physical exertion or mental concentration. These activities are popular all over the world. It is estimated that sports make up more than 90% of all physical activity among humans. There are many types of sports, which are broadly divided into two categories: competitive sports and non-competitive sports.
Generally speaking, sports are common to all nations, because almost all people love to compete and have a level of interest in winning. In most cases, it is very hard to differentiate between sports and recreation when you consider what an athlete actually does in order to reach a destination. Many people can easily confuse sport with physical activity. Therefore, it is very important to carefully define and distinguish between these two. For instance, the definition of a sport can be compared with the definition of the word “game.”
Sport is generally defined as a physical activity that entails a level of physical contest, including basketball or netball. Some sports are recognized by international sports governing bodies such as the Olympics and World athletics championships. The Olympic Games, for example, brings together sportsmen and sportswomen from all over the world in order to display the best of their respective sportsmanship. Most sports are also recognized by local sports teams and youth clubs. These teams and youth clubs often form the nucleus of a local sports culture.
In contrast, non-competition sports such as hiking, gardening, swimming and biking are frequently viewed as recreational activities. Many countries throughout the world to encourage their inhabitants to engage in leisure and recreational sports for the social, economic and health benefits they obtain. Some of these benefits include better fitness, less fat accumulation and enhanced well-being. In addition, there are numerous documented medical benefits associated with participation in sporting activities.
With respect to definition, it is important to note that the term ‘sport’ has a significant meaning within the sporting community. For example, bodybuilding and weightlifting are not sports but rather athletic endeavors. They are, however, regarded as ‘sport’ by governing bodies such as the Olympics and other international organizations. Therefore, people who engage in these types of athletic pursuits do so for reasons other than merely obtaining physical fitness. Body building and weightlifting are recognized sports in their own right, but their definition is significantly different from the meaning of the word ‘sport’.
Today, many adults enjoy playing various forms of team sports, both individually and as part of a more organized sporting group. While playing a sport does not translate into being a dedicated fan of the team, participation in a team sport can provide an individual with a sense of achievement and camaraderie. As America’s population ages, the interest in sports is expected to continue to grow. As more people become involved in both casual and professional sport, the American sports history will continue to develop into one of the definitive periods in the nation’s history.