Sports are activities that involve physical exertion, competition, skill, and social participation. They aim to improve participants’ physical and mental health. Typically, sport involves a set of rules that govern the activity.
Before modern sports were invented in the 17th century, people played ball games. In prehistoric times, hunters pursued prey with joy and abandon.
The word “measure” originally meant a sense of balance. Later, it referred to numerical measurements. Today, the measurement of a result may be objective or subjective.
As the late 17th century came to an end, sports became more organized. A boxer-entrepreneur named Jack Broughton formulated rules for regulating sport in 1743. These rules were later strengthened by the marquess of Queensberry in 1867.
In the early 1800s, athletes trained to reach their physical maximum. This resulted in physical contests that were more challenging than games.
The introduction of horse races in the 18th century introduced the concept of equality in competitive events. This led to age groups, weight classes, and height classifications in modern sports.
Throughout history, sports have been part of every culture. However, the definition of what constitutes a sport depends on the culture. Often, nationalist sentiments are apparent in sports. Nationalist partisan views can lead to violent confrontations.
Sports also allow children to develop their physical skills and self-esteem. They can learn how to play as a team, which is an important life skill.
After World War II, basketball became a popular sport around the world. In addition, association football offers a chance to develop social interaction skills.
