Sports (or sports) refers to any forms of generally competitive physical activity that, through organised or casual competitive participation, aim to employ, improve or develop certain physical abilities and capabilities while also providing entertainment for participants, and occasionally, spectators. While some sports can be participated by just the physical presence of an individual, most sports require the involvement of both mind and body. With the increase in popularity of sports as an avenue to exercise and compete in various sporting events such as ice skating, swimming, volleyball, football, tennis, basketball and other outdoor activities, the practice of sports has spread to the extent that it can now be found in most parts of the world where most people spend their leisure time. Although sports are mostly associated with the physical aspect of human activity, some sports are also associated with a level of mental and emotional acuity.
An event or sport can either be a competitive or non-competitive action, depending on the degree or level of skill or challenge inherent in the events. Competitions can range from games and competitions like archery, golf, gymnastics, motor racing, rugby, swimming, tennis, basketball, fencing and much more. Most sports are associated with some type of physical activity that requires the participant to wear at least some form of protective clothing, while other sports may not always require any protective clothing, but rather rely upon speed and agility to ‘prevent’ bodily harm or injury.
While most sports require a level of skill, others, such as children’s sports like soccer, require much more strategy than mere physical prowess. Sports can be divided into two broad categories: physical activities and mental activities. Physical activities involve exertion of the body, using muscles and bones, and involves the usage of oxygen and carbon dioxide as a result of the actions involved. Mental activities, on the other hand, refers to ones’ ability to apply one’s talents to specific tasks, or to achieve goals, without the need for physical exertion of the body.