Sports (or sporting) is any form of typically competitive physical activity that, through organised or casual participation, attempt to utilize, develop or enhance certain physical aptitude and abilities while also providing entertainment for participants, and sometimes, spectators. There are a wide variety of sports. Some sports refer to particular areas of the physical body, like wrestling or boxing, while others may refer to a particular style or type of activity, such as hockey. While most people tend to think of organized sports as being the preserve of major competitive games such as football, basketball, tennis and baseball, there are literally hundreds of regular recreational sports.
Generally, sports are divided into two broad categories: exercise and participation. Exercise sports include activities that require repeated movement along with an associated stress on the muscles, joints, bones and ligaments. These sports include aerobics, bicycling, athletics, hiking, tennis, swimming and more. Participation sports involve interactive contact with others, including sports like ice skating, diving, basketball and more. Exercise sports are the norm, but many people nowadays participate in a combination of both types of sport. For example, swimmers and runners can take part in both an aerobic and anaerobic sport.
The common denominator between: these sports is that they require considerable exertion. In most sports, speed and agility are paramount, as is skill. Thus, it is not uncommon to see professional athletes engage in exercises and sports as part of their training for competitive physical activity, yet still use this activity as a means of recreation. Indeed, some sports may be classified as recreational, yet their primary purpose is still to engage in the necessary exertion required. For instance, swimmers expend significant energy to propel themselves across the water.
Pediatric News has previously published stories: about children involved with various sports, and the athletes’ experiences. These articles are meant to provide parents and other concerned parties with useful medical and nutritional information about athletics and sports injuries. For example, stories have described how junior high children who are involved with track and field injury as a result of a fall, a tackle or a hit from a teammate; as well as adults who play sports in a professional capacity but who sustain sports injuries. These stories have shown that participation in athletics can have serious health consequences for young people beginning their participation at a young age.
Many children’s sports: even the non-contact sports, require considerable strength, agility and motor skills. As children begin to participate in organized sports, their physical capabilities decline gradually with age, as well. In addition, most sports, such as track and field, require repeated physical activity, which can have significant health implications for children as they become teenagers. A recent study revealed that girls who play volleyball and basketball are more likely to engage in sexual activity than their male peers. While female adolescents may be less physically active than boys their sex plays an important role when it comes to promoting unhealthy activity.
In an effort to encourage healthier activity for teens and youths: many schools have implemented a variety of educational programs geared toward physical education, or PE. Sports activities, while generally considered to be beneficial for the development of physical skills, have been shown to increase the occurrence of unhealthy activity. For example: playing high school football caused more concussions, or brain injuries, than playing Little League baseball. The majority of sports participants and athletes, boys and girls alike, do not realize the long-term negative consequences of their participation in athletics. Many schools are now implementing comprehensive physical education and health care programs as a way to reduce athletic participation and increase academic achievement.
Mental health and overall wellness for students.
