A Clear Definition of Sports
A popular word these days is sports. It used to be that “sports” was a term used only by the most elite of Americans – athletes competing in international competitions were called sports stars, not citizens of the United States. Nowadays, however, sports have become a part of everyday life for millions of people, regardless of their social or economic class. Athletes and sports enthusiasts of every kind are celebrated and rewarded for their accomplishments in sports as much as they are rewarded for their academic achievements and talents. One common reward is financial success: people are given scholarships, prizes, contracts and other forms of monetary aid for participating in sports and other competitive activities.
One of the most common sports enjoyed by young people today is football. As the name suggests, football is a competitive athletic activity in which two teams of people compete with each other on a field or other outside surface. Most people think of professional sports like basketball and baseball when they hear the term “professional sports,” but football is a close second. A football competition typically involves two teams that play several games over a season. In most cases, the winner of the championship game will receive the title “professional football athlete.” In the United States, there are many professional football teams and different professional football leagues, including the National Football League.
Another popular sport enjoyed by young people is track and field. Track and field is widely considered one of the more physically demanding sports, in terms of its cardiovascular demands and overall muscle strength. While track and field require large amounts of stamina and strength, the participants typically have above average athletic ability and excellent motor skills. Many athletes in this field are also highly prized college athletes.
While football and track and field require physical strength and athleticism, they also require great mental acuity and self discipline. Professional and college athletes regularly train tirelessly to excel at their chosen sports. They practice and diet extensively, in order to gain the maximum amount of speed and endurance for their position on the field. Even young people who are not as dedicated to their sports can be susceptible to sports injuries. Injuries can occur during normal activities or on the playing field or court, such as strains or sprains.
One of the most common sports injuries is repetitive stress syndrome (RSCS). Persons may get RSD when participating in any type of sports-whether it’s basketball, volleyball, softball, football, soccer, or track and field. Persons who play sports with high repetition, such as basketball, tennis, or football, are particularly at risk for RSD. Sports athletes often perform repetitive motion, such as jumping or running. If repeated motion injuries are sustained, muscles often become strained or overstretched. This overstretch can lead to inflammation, swelling, and pain.
In order to prevent sports-related injuries, sports enthusiasts need to know the definition of each respective sport. A sport’s definition can help in choosing appropriate equipment and providing knowledge about how to participate in the sport. Athletes should also have proper warm-up and cool-down procedures to enhance performance and prevent potential injuries. When these basic steps are followed, the risks and benefits of participating in different sports will be maximized.