In its simplest definition, Sports are physical contests involving human competition. The term has a wide range of definitions, and each culture has a different perspective on what constitutes a sport. The most useful definitions clarify the relationship between sports and play, games, or contests. Play, by definition, is a form of voluntary physical activity, and differs from work in that it involves physical exertion. Consequently, sports require a great deal of skill and physical fitness.
Emotions play an important role in sports, influencing how athletes evaluate their own performances. These feelings may be anticipatory or occur during and after a performance. Emotions are also influenced by the social structure of the sport, as some players may have strict rules about how they behave during national anthems or postgame victory celebrations. The resulting social structures shape the athletes’ emotional experience. However, some forms of sports have been criticized for compromising the integrity of sports.
Ancient civilizations were also renowned for playing ball games. Chinese and Aztec peoples performed ball games as part of rituals. In Greek and Roman antiquity, ball games were not purely competitive. In fact, a Greek physician recommended them as good for health. Today, ball games have a much wider historical and cultural impact than they did in antiquity. If you are interested in the history of sports, please contact us. We will gladly answer any of your questions.