We explain what sport is and its benefits. We also discuss its origin, the Olympic Games, and the professionalization of sport.
What is sport?
Sport is a physical activity performed by an individual or group following certain rules and within a specific physical space. It is generally associated with formal competitions and serves to improve physical and mental health.
In some cases, sport is institutionalized by sports associations, federations, or clubs. You must read about Black Consciousness Day once.
It is common to confuse the terms sport and physical activity or fitness. The difference lies in the competitive nature of sport; in the case of fitness or physical activity, it is performed for personal satisfaction and recreation.
History of Sports
There is evidence indicating that the origin of classical sports dates back to approximately 4000 BC. Tools, utensils, and structures were found in ancient Egypt that are the precursors to sports practiced today, such as javelin throwing and high jumping.
Wrestling and the marathon, on the other hand, have their origins in ancient Greece. The term “marathon” comes from the Greek soldier Pheidippides, who died of exhaustion after running 37 kilometers in 490 BC from Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persian army.
Greek culture placed great importance on sports and created the ancient Olympic Games (the basis of the modern Olympic Games), which ran from 776 BC to 393 AD.
Types of Sports
- Combat sports: Disciplines in which two opponents fight hand-to-hand following certain rules. For example: boxing, taekwondo, fencing, judo, karate, kickboxing, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and jiu-jitsu.
- Ball sports: Disciplines in which the essential element is a ball and are played by teams or individuals. For example: soccer, rugby, volleyball, basketball, tennis, paddle tennis, golf, handball, ping-pong, squash, cricket, hockey, baseball, billiards, and lacrosse.
- Athletics sports: Disciplines in which competitors compete in tests of strength, speed, throwing, and jumping. For example: running, hurdling, pole vault, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin throw, discus throw, and hammer throw.
- Water sports: Sports performed on or in water. For example: swimming, surfing, rowing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, sailing, diving, kayaking, water polo, water skiing, bodyboarding, and rafting.
- Mountain sports: These are performed in mountainous terrain. For example: mountaineering, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, zip-lining, and climbing.
- Motor sports: These are performed on a motorized vehicle. For example: motorsports (Formula 1, rally), motorcycling (motorcycle speedway, motocross), powerboating, and aeronautics.
- Equestrian sports: These are performed on animals. For example: turf, polo, duck, cross-country, and horseback riding.
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games are the largest sporting event in the world. Held every four years, they are held in a city (previously determined by the International Sports Committee) and bring together athletes from all five continents who participate in various sports disciplines representing their country.
There are the Summer Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games, inspired by the games held in ancient Olympia, Greece (8th century BC). The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
Currently, competitors from more than 200 countries participate in 46 disciplines, including athletics, basketball, cycling, rowing, soccer, hockey, taekwondo, tennis, and volleyball. Maybe you should definitely read about Natural Numbers once.
Professionalization of Sports
The professionalization of sports occurs when the practice of a sport becomes a profession. Athletes are considered professionals when they dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to the sport in which they compete. Professionalization implies an increase in the intensity and level of training of athletes due to the high level of competitiveness within the different disciplines.
The process of professionalization arose, among other factors, due to the expansion of media, which gave visibility to a greater number of sports, and the increase in leisure time.
Sports constitute an industry of immense size, and their popularity varies according to each culture. For example: baseball and American football are practiced in the United States, cricket in Great Britain and Australia, artistic gymnastics is promoted by the Chinese and Russian states, and polo is a typical sport of Argentina.
Technology plays a fundamental role in providing data to adjust the accuracy of sports results. Over time, sports are incorporating techniques and technologies such as cameras, more precise measuring devices, and sensors to ensure greater precision in activities, so that there is no doubt about the participants’ performance.
Characteristics of Sport
- It is regulated: It is based on a set of rules and principles that underpin the discipline, and which must be known by everyone who plays the sport and allow it to be practiced in a clear and orderly manner.
- It is competitive: Whether individual or group, sport differs from a simple game because of the competition that occurs between individuals or groups who compete with each other for the purpose of winning.
- It transmits values: Through practice, values such as respect, honesty, effort, perseverance, and tolerance of frustration, among others, are internalized.
- It improves the quality of life of those who practice it: Sport contributes to the physical and psychological development of those who practice it: it improves physical endurance, regulates blood pressure, and reduces stress.
- It fosters social bonds: Teamwork generates strong and lasting emotional and social bonds that are created by sharing the practice of a sport.
- It is institutionalized: The federations or associations of each sport regulate the practice, update the rules, organize championships, and promote and give visibility to the discipline.
Importance and benefits of sport
Sport is one of the fundamental practices that an individual engages in to maintain a healthy life, and is usually done for recreational, physical, or mental purposes. Practicing at least 30 minutes of sport or physical activity per day is recommended to:
- Regulate blood pressure
- Reduce body fat
- Prevent disease
- Correct bone posture
- Develop muscle mass
- Relieve tension
In addition to being essential for the physical development of individuals, sport has psychological and social benefits:
- It fosters social relationships
- It promotes teamwork
- It reduces stress and anxiety
- It helps develop good habits
References
All the information we offer is supported by authoritative and up-to-date bibliographic sources, ensuring reliable content in line with our editorial principles.
- “Sport” in RAE (Spanish Royal Academy of Spanish Language) by dle.rae.es/deporte
- “What defines a sport?” in Forbes by forbes.com/sites/leighsteinberg/2018/07/28/what-defines-a-sport/#1a2990b82d66
- “Olympic Sports” in Olympic Channel by olympicchannel.com/es/sports/
- “Sports” in Tokyo 2020
- “The importance of sport in early childhood education” in Más Vida by www.fundacionmasvida.org/deporte-en-la-educacion-infantil
- “Physical Activity” in the World Health Organization
- “Sport: Why are they all beneficial?” in Spanish Heart Foundation by fundaciondelcorazon.com/blog-impulso-vital/2855-deporte-ipor-que-todo-son-beneficios.html
