A Brief Guide to Sports for the Disabled
Sports are activities (usually organized as games) that involve the use of physical skills and abilities with the goal of gaining a competitive edge or for competition. A number of societies have organized sports competitions over the course of time, with the World Olympic Games being one of the largest events in sports history. Organized sports are usually characterized by fixed rules, including time limits, set goals and referees and use of equipment such as basketballs, cricket bats, hockey sticks, footballs and soccer balls. Most sports can be divided into categories that include contact sports, outdoor games, camp games and recreational games. Sports activities can be practiced by individuals, teams and even institutions.
One of the earliest organized sports was cricket, which began way back in Cricket Stadium in England. Cricket is played between teams situated in close proximity to each other and includes regular matches between teams of different nations. The most popular game of cricket is undoubtedly cricket, which has developed into a professional sports league in the United Kingdom and is also popular in many other countries. Professional sports are generally competitive or at least attempt to be competitive. While there is no clear-cut distinction between amateur and professional sports, the term amateur only refers to those who play sports for fun and not for profit, while professional refers to those who play professionally and at levels of skill and competency normally associated with professionals.
Professional athletes engaged in extreme sports competitions, such as skydiving, triathlon, surfing, motor-bike racing, weightlifting, gymnastics, basketball and baseball, have become household names thanks to their participation in prestigious sports competition such as the Olympics and World Cups. In popular imagination, professional athletes are often the best athletes in the world, although this description can be misleading, as any skill can be improved and enhanced. Professional athletes engage in extreme sports competition for fame and fortune, but the very nature of such competition requires immense training and skill, as well as an incredible endurance and fitness level. Often, professional athletes will train for months or even years before competing in a match.
Youth sport generally requires more time and commitment than do professional sports. Youth sports include basketball, cricket, football, soccer and softball, although tennis and water polo are considered part of the youth sports sector. Despite their short shelf-life in the public eye, some of these sports are among the longest-running sports competitions in the world. In fact, cricket’s ongoing televised coverage, despite being a part of the IPL, highlights the popularity of cricket among youngsters.
Mind sports are less famous than physical sports, and while there are hundreds of articles written each month about the latest winners or losers, the reality is that individual achievements and performance are influenced by numerous factors, including genetics, training, experience and over-thinking. Professional athletes are amongst the most successful in the world, but it takes a lot more than talent and natural ability to succeed in the competitive world of mind sports. It takes a combination of knowledge and application, and it takes discipline. The mental strength to excel in any competition is vastly different from physical strength. One of the keys to success in any sport lies in the ability to remain focused, aware and positive.
If you feel that you would benefit from engaging in any form of sport, whether it be a physical contact sport or a mind game, you should consider taking advice from an appropriate professional health professional, such as a sports psychology expert. With so many different types of disability or physical fitness challenges, a wide range of sports programs and equipment is available. However, with the right help and support, you can improve your chances of achieving your ideal physical condition. It is important to know what you can do to improve your odds of success and enjoy the full benefits of participation in any form of disability or sport.