Introduction to Sports

Sports (or physical activity) is any forms of typically athletic physical activity that, through organised or casual participation, attempt to use, develop or maintain physical prowess and skills while offering entertainment for participants, and sometimes, spectators. There are several different types of sports, with most having varying levels of competition based on the degree of difficulty, where each sport is categorised into more specialized divisions, such as American football versus rugby. Some sports can be broadly categorised under the more common heading of recreational activities. For example, ice hockey and American football are commonly played by people who do not take part in organized sports. Other sports, such as golf and surfing, are regularly and carefully monitored for their safety and welfare by governing bodies, often affiliated with sports clubs.

Sports can be broadly divided into two main categories: athletic and non-athletic. Athletic sports involve physical activity that requires a great deal of strength, speed and endurance, requiring the use of quick movements of the entire body; in contrast, non-athletic sports involve physical activity that is generally easy, requiring only the application of one’s physical skills and sometimes the simple usage of one’s muscles, such as playing sport such as golf or tennis. Although there are many different types of sports, the two main categories of sports include: football which is universally known as the game of organised sport; golf which is universally known as the game of organised golf; and cricket which is universally known as the game of cricket.

The term sport is generally used to refer to any kind of athletic activity, with some people using it to describe particular sports. Sport can be broadly divided into three main areas: competitive, with competitive sports aiming to test the physical abilities of the participant; sporting, with a focus on skill, physical fitness and competitive spirit; and recreational, with the main focus being on enjoyment. In the United States, however, the term sport is generally used to describe any athletic activity, regardless of its nature or its participants. The term game also encompasses activities like horseback riding, swimming, fencing and cycling. It is estimated that the United States has the largest population of actively participating athletes of any country in the world, with nearly one million sports enthusiasts, according to the US Department of Energy’s Sports and Health Measurement Survey.