Sports are physical contests that are conducted for the purpose of enhancing one’s physical ability. They are usually governed by a set of rules. The word “sport” came from the Old French term desporter. It was used in the 16th century to mean an activity of amusement or recreation.
Throughout history, sports have been a part of every culture. Some people continue to participate in sports throughout their lives. Others stop after reaching a certain age.
One reason that people continue to play is the rewards it provides them with. The rewards include mental health. In addition, it also contributes to identity formation. Students learn valuable life skills like flexibility and leadership. Moreover, it helps them focus on their strengths and abilities.
Sports also help in developing positive body language. Many youth participate in sports to gain a sense of achievement, independence, and self-esteem.
During competition, emotions can take the form of passion and hatred. Fans can also feel elation when their team wins or despair when their idol is injured.
Sports also help to develop a killer instinct and an attitude of never giving up. This attitude is essential to success in later life.
Athletes are guided by their “feeling rules”. These rules determine their approach to managing their emotions and their perception of others’ evaluations.
In the late 17th century, quantitative measurement became a key aspect of sports. Judges were able to score subjective measures and assign a “weight” to participants. If an athlete was outweighed, penalties could be applied.