Sports are generally governed by some kind of code or ritual, that help guarantee fair play, promote safety, and enable consistent adjudication of the winning result. In most organized sports, records of past performance are kept, and this information can be widely reported or announced in sports news. This helps to encourage competitors to meet each other halfway, in order to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship. Similarly, the playing conditions in games such as football or rugby need to be carefully monitored in order to prevent unnecessary injuries, and to maintain a competitive edge. However, not all sports can be entirely controlled by governing bodies; for example, horse racing is highly competitive, but there is also the matter of public perception to consider. When jockeys clash in a race, there needs to be some sort of authority figure to arbitrate, lest the public’s interest in the race to be unduly affected.
Generally, sport activities are undertaken for the benefit of the participant, who is usually considered to be an athlete if he is participating in competitive sports. A sport can be both intellectual and physical activity, often depending on the type of activity undertaken. A game of golf, for example, involves intellectual ability, as well as physical strength. In terms of intellectual stimulation, matches and competitions involving humans, such as chess, are generally recognised as forms of intellectual stimulation, as they require the skills of both brain power and concentration.
Sport, as a practice, has been viewed as having certain benefits for the mind, body and spirit, as well as providing opportunities for social interaction. The development of sport is generally governed by some kind of code or discipline, which ensures that participants follow a set of rules or do something according to their nature. For example, competitive athletics, as well as musical competitions, are usually governed by certain codes or laws, in order to ensure that standards are maintained, whilst ensuring that there is fair play.
The definition of sport can also vary between nations, with some jurisdictions relating to it taking it a little more literally than others. It is typically thought of as a competition or contest, with the winner being the person or team who carries out most physical exertion, in a defined environment. There are several different types of competitions, with motor vehicle, weightlifting, swimming, sailing and golf just some of the most common. International sports Federation provides a list of seven commonly known international sports competitions, with further details given on the association’s official website.
Many people consider sport to be a contact sport, whereby the participants use their feet, or legs, or even their minds, in a defined way, to try and win an award, or at least achieve a designated goal. This can be defined in different ways in different countries. For example, in the United States, popular pastimes include baseball, softball, basketball, golf, hockey and soccer. More recently, football has also been included in the sporting pastime, with the English Premier League regularly awarding the league’s top player awards. Other popular pastimes around the world include cycling, snorkeling, fishing, horse riding, cricket, squash and Australian racing.
When people talk about sport, they almost always think of it as an activity involving physical exertion. However, it is important to remember that the definition does not always restrict activity to physical exertion alone. Art, literature and music are all governed by a different set of rules and an important aspect of sport is that of skill. There is always the element of chance involved in sport but this is tempered by the knowledge and skill of the participants. By thinking about what you enjoy doing, you can increase your enjoyment of the sport and even find yourself getting involved in more exciting sports.