The Importance of Sports
Sports are activities involving physical skill, often in competition. People practice sports for fun, or to improve their health, social skills, and self-esteem. They also play a major role in defining culture, and many countries have national and regional sport governing bodies that organize and regulate the conduct of sports and sports competitions. The precise definition of a sport varies between sources. The closest to a universal agreement on a definition is that of the Global Association of International Sports Federations, which excludes activities without any physical element from being considered sports. This definition has led to legal battles, as non-physical sports seek recognition from governing bodies that admit only those activities to the Olympics and other major competitions.
The origins of sports are obscure, but they probably developed from primitive ritual performances with a competitive element, such as the throwing and kicking of a ball. Archaeological evidence suggests that ball games were common among ancient peoples, including the Chinese and Aztecs. Nevertheless, it is hard to imagine that the ancients understood their games as sports in the modern sense of the word.
In the Renaissance, interest in aesthetic aspects of sport flourished. 17th-century Czech educator John Amos Comenius, for example, emphasized the artistic nature of gymnastics and praised fencers for their grace in movement. In the 19th century, modern sports emerged as scientifically designed activities to meet perceived needs. Basketball, invented in 1891 by James Naismith, and volleyball, created four years later, are quintessentially modern sports. In addition, modern athletes compete under strict rules and regulations.
The cultural importance of sports was further enhanced in the post-World War II era by the spread of Western values. As the United States became a dominant power, it influenced the development of sports through its economic and military might. In addition, a number of Western nations were eager to win the Cold War by showing that their own systems of sport could outcompete communist societies that were seen as repressive and undemocratic.
The positive effects of sports are most likely to be derived from comprehensive training that reflects the individual's capacities, social situation, and biological and psychological maturation. In contrast, early engagement in elite-level sports increases the risk of injury and overtraining, promotes one-dimensional functional development, creates distorted social norms and attitudes, and may lead to psychosocial disorders. It is especially important to avoid negative impacts of sports in children and adolescents.