Sports (or sportsmanship) is any form of generally competitive physical activity that, through organised or casual participation, attempt to employ, develop or hone personal skill and physical ability, and in some instances, spectators. A wide range of such activities exist, from ice skating to weightlifting, tennis to swimming and track and field. Although there are many different kinds of sports, the common thread that connects all of them is a competitive edge – that is, the desire to excel in the chosen activity and to score or receive points for that. There are many different types of competitions or sporting competitions, based on anything from archery to surfing. The term sport can also cover participation in cultural events like parades, athletic events and competitions, and motor sports.
One can study any given sport or recreation: by entering it in national or international competitions, either for fun or for monetary reward. Some of the most famous sports competitions around the world include track and field events, sprinting heats, swimming events, horse racing, ice skating, golf and football. Competitors can also participate in professional sports for the chance to become known or win prestigious awards. Many professional athletes spend millions of dollars a year practicing and competing in physical contests to enhance their skills and raise themselves above the competition.
Professional athletes tend to be born with natural athletic abilities: while others may have had to train and practice for years in order to reach the peak of their game. Almost any human body can be put into a great physical condition and be used in a variety of ways by an athlete. Some kinds of sports include contact sports, in which athletes use their bodies in contact with each other by throwing or catching, pushing or pulling, and running. Another category of athletic activity is martial arts, which often uses techniques from various fighting styles, while still others are endurance events, in which athletes try to finish an entire race or flight within the shortest amount of time.
Many people associate physical prowess with competitive athletics: However, not all athletic endeavors mean participating in athletics. Some hobbies, such as diving, sailing, cycling, climbing, swimming, kayaking and snowboarding, require no gear, no helmets, and can be enjoyed by the participant without worrying about damaging any equipment. A major category of recreational sports involves performance of skills in mind-body interaction. In this type of sport, the participant uses mind and body to solve puzzles or beat opponents.
While many kinds of games: are played on a sporting field, many games are played behind a desk, in a classroom, at home, or in an office. One category of non-sport physical dexterity is painting. While it does not involve contact with any materials, it includes the application of different kinds of paints onto different surfaces, including plastic, wood, ceramic or glass. Paints are applied by brushes or rollers and can be done on objects at different sizes, although some paints may be better for objects of a particular shape or size.
Non-sport physical dexterity activities: include swimming, jogging, hiking, mountain biking, cheerleading, gymnastics, dancing, cheerleading competitions and motorcycling. Competitive sports include sprinting, fencing, tennis, table tennis, bowling, rugby, basketball, soccer and track and field. Physical fitness and sport activities provide many health benefits for participants and fans.
In addition, experts have shown that regular participation in sports can lower the risks of common heart diseases and strokes.