Sports (or sports) refers to any forms of usually strenuous physical activity that, though largely competitive, also aim to employ, uphold or enhance physical aptitude and skill, while also providing entertainment for participants, and even in some occasions, spectators. In the modern sporting arena, there are dozens of different types of sports that people can take part in. They may be categorized as indoor games like table tennis, racquetball, golf, softball, soccer, cricket, hockey, etc., or outdoor games like cricket, rugby, football, and soccer. Sports differ from one discipline to another as some sports require a lot of speed and strength, while others require agility and finesse. Sports also differ according to the level of participation; for example, swimming requires both upper and lower body strength, while table tennis requires only the upper body strength.
Autotelic sports refer to bodily contests where the participants are located near each other. This is unlike classical sports that only require sprinting, throwing and hitting of a ball. These contests may also include climbing up a structure, swimming, diving, rowing, bicycling, skiing, wrestling, and weightlifting. This list can be extended indefinitely, and the disciplines that are included here are endless. Today, people even have their own sports that they practice for fitness or to compete in international or national competitions.
Modern sports have undergone many changes over the years. One of these changes is the introduction of football, a game that was predominantly played by men throughout the 20th century. However, the introduction of baseball and basketball brought more women to play and keep track of the game. Another change within sports is the inclusion of weight classes, which forced sports such as soccer to introduce rules that dictate how players will be classified based on their weight. Today, football players are split into separate teams, with each team playing in a different formation and trying to score more goals than the other team.
Sports help build character in individuals, especially in the modern age. Some modern sports bring a physical education into the arena. For instance, figure skating and ice dancing both incorporate a style of skating that utilizes tumbling, gymnastics and ballet. These sports teach young people about balance and how to use their bodies to excel at physical activities. Likewise, both racquetball and softball introduce players to the principles of sportsmanship. Both sports teach players to respect the opponent and fair play.
Sports also teach young people important values such as dedication, patience, hard work and teamwork. In the modern world, it is rare to see a person that is truly content and happy. Most of us, however, experience some degree of stress every day and this contributes to our poor mental state. Our sports and other hobbies help to alleviate some of this stress and to provide a means by which we can connect with others and enjoy ourselves.
Ultimately, sports can teach us important life lessons. For example, many of us participate in physical contests to prove to ourselves and others that we are capable of excelling at something. Many athletes choose to participate in sports because they want to prove themselves to college coaches or other colleges that may be interested in them. Thus, we see the importance of academic sports in the modern age and the importance of sports in our everyday lives.