We explain what sport is, its history and the types that exist. In addition, we explain its general characteristics, examples and more.
What is sport?
We call sport certain types of regulated competitive activitieswhose practice stimulates the physical, mental and social abilities of those who practice them. They are distinguished from games, in this sense, by requiring training, concentration and a certain range of skills, and by being considered a discipline that transcends the merely recreational.
Sports are an important part of contemporary life, both in its practice and in its dissemination and commercialization as a spectacle. Therefore, the professional practice of sports is usually monitored and regulated by various public and private institutions, although there are also unofficial sports variants that are popularly practiced.
Those who are dedicated to one or more sports are known as athletes.
Sports history
As a recreational and entertainment practice, sport has existed since the beginning of civilization.
It is known about practices and ancient competitions in which talent was demonstratedthe physical strength or agility of men in front of kings or in homage to their gods.
The best known of all are perhaps The Olympics of Ancient Greece: a series of festivals in honor of the gods of Olympus (hence its name). They were celebrated every four years and brought the Greek people together in peace (the olympic peace) while their great warriors competed in different disciplines.
Sport types
Sports can be classified in many ways, as they are so numerous and varied. The best way to do this is to group them into specific categories, such as:
- Watersports. Those that take place in bodies of water, usually pools with a controlled environment. For example: water polo, synchronized swimming, swimming, apnea.
- Team sports. Those that require the organization of a team of several people, with assigned positions and more or less strict roles, to be able to play. For example: choreographic dance, canoeing.
- Motor sports. Those that require the use of some type of motorized vehicle, on land, water or air. For example: motocross, motor racing, karting.
- Board sports. Those that must be played on a table or a properly prepared static surface. For example: billiards, ping-pong, pool.
- Extreme sports. Those in which the athlete is subjected to situations of physical risk and is in danger, such as mountaineering, skydiving, surfing and bungee jumping.
- Ball sports. Those that use different types of balls to play. For example: tennis, soccer, basketball, rugby, baseball.
- Mental sports. Those in which the mind and not the body makes the effort. For example: chess, checkers, Go and Bridge.
Another possible division distinguishes between summer sports (those that are done outdoors without problems) and winter (those that incorporate ice, snow or other activities typical of winter climates).
Professional sportsmen
Everyone can play sports, but those who are not as good at it do not do so at the same level. They dedicate themselves to it full time, and those who do it recreationally, sporadically. The latter are considered amateur or practicing athletes, while the former are professional athletes or sports professionals.
This means that professional athletes They live to compete in their chosen discipline: They go to championships, are part of official local, national or regional teams, and even go to the Olympic Games representing their country. In exchange, they receive payment, since sport is their profession and their job.
Sports training
Sports practice It is part of what is called physical education: the training and formation of the human body through sport, to strengthen its capabilities, tone its muscles and exercise it in the areas of balance, agility and resistance.
This is part of the usual content of our schools and secondary schools. Many people do not continue further training, or they practice some sport more or less occasionally, with their friends. Professional athletes, on the other hand, continue to exercise in the sport they chose, or are best at, throughout their lives.
Benefits of sport
Frequent practice of sports gives us the following benefits:
- Improves physical endurance and dexterity, coordination and strength.
- It regulates blood pressure levels by strengthening the heart muscle and burning accumulated lipids.
- Regulates sugar metabolism, preventing insulin resistance.
- Improves flexibility and strengthens joints.
- Helps maintain body weight.
- It promotes teamwork depending on the sport and builds bonds of camaraderie.
Sports risks
At the same time, all sports involve certain risks:
- Physical injuries. Such as tears, strains, fractures and sprains.
- It wears out the joints. If no prior warm-up is carried out.
- Risks of accidental death. In the case of motorized, aquatic or extreme sports.
- It promotes competitiveness. Which in certain personalities can be harmful.
Olympic sports
The tradition of the ancient Olympics was revived in the 19th century, thanks to the efforts of Baron de Coubertin, the Frenchman Pierre Frèdy, who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.and since then they have been held every 4 years. They have only been interrupted due to the two World Wars of the 20th century.
Olympic sports, that is, those practiced on these occasions, are classified according to their practice at the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics, which are celebrated alternately 2 years apart. Nearly 13,000 athletes take part in these events, in 33 different sports disciplines.
Importance of sport
The sport is a way to drain and channel the competitive drives of the human beingin a more constructive and positive way than confrontations or wars. In many cases, it succeeds in forming and strengthening bonds between athletes, instead of irreconcilable enmities.
Perhaps that is why sports play such an important role in our society, being broadcast by the media and organizing fans around the support of their favorite teams.
Sport as spectacle
Since ancient times, sports have attracted the attention of the public and They were a meeting place for the masseswho went to see their favorite athletes compete, and even to bet on them. Nowadays, this dynamic is sustained thanks to the media.
Events of the caliber of the football world cups or the major international sports leagues, enjoy massive broadcasts. Furthermore, they mobilize enormous sums of money, large numbers of people and represent projects of planetary magnitude.
Examples of sports
Some examples of sports are handball, football, tennis, ping-pong, polo, horse riding, cyclingfronton, badminton, rugby, ultimate (Frisbee), rhythmic gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting, javelin throwing, target shooting, basketball, baseball, marathon, racing, motor racing, windsurfing, surfing, volleyball, golf, etc.