Sports (or physical activity) is any form of typically competitive physical activity that, through organised or casual participation, aims to utilize, improve or maintain certain physical capabilities and skills while also providing recreation to participants, and sometimes, spectators. Sports vary greatly in their purpose and methods of application, but the basic elements common to most sports are movement, sport or exercise and the utilization of a variety of body tools. These tools may be specialized or general, but they are all intended to provide exercise, manipulation or balance to the participant. Additionally, some sports have been developed specifically for the purpose of competition, such as gymnastics and aerobics. However, nearly every other sport has been adapted from other forms of activity, or even invented itself, based upon certain principles and values.
Some sports can be considered to have begun as games between groups of people in physical competition, although the first recorded games in history have come from hunting and fishing practices among indigenous peoples of various regions. The earliest recorded sporting event was in ancient Greece, although no written records exist to support this claim. Archaeological evidence, however, shows that sports competition likely commenced among members of the upper class, possibly to improve their hunting and fishing skills, or perhaps to show off to potential partners in the future. Over time, sports spread throughout the Greek world and, later, into Rome, among the Roman citizens who were generally known as gladiators.
Sports differ from each culture that they originate in, but common traits among these sports include skill competition, physical dexterity, athletic contest and intensity. Aspects that distinguish one sport from another include equipment, rules, scoring system, and competition motivation. Most sports are organized around a particular objective, such as the recovery of a given body part or the completion of a course of action. As physical skills are integral components of most sports, those who participate often rely on their own personal strengths and skills in order to succeed in the competition. As previously mentioned, some sports require extensive training in order to excel at them, while others require much less physical expertise and allow the participant to concentrate on the mental aspect of the competition.
As previously stated, disability is a factor that prohibits many people from participating in physical competition, leading to a decrease in overall participation. As a result, there is a growing need for organizations that help people with disabilities to find a variety of activities that they can enjoy and fulfill their needs for physical fitness. The main article focuses on four different disabled sports that provide an avenue for physical fitness. Each of these sports can be enjoyed by people of varying abilities and provide a good outlet for socialization and exercise. The main article will discuss these four sports in detail, providing examples of how they can be enjoyed by those with special needs.
The first of these four sports is American football. While professional sports in the United States have largely been banned due to the high level of safety standards that are required of players, professional football has retained a certain degree of popularity, mostly because of its status as one of the most competitive sports in the world. Because of this, many people of all ages and abilities can participate in this game. As an example, many college students enjoy playing a version of football that requires them to run and jump for the ball.
The second of the four main sports that is often discussed involves contact sports such as wrestling. W wrestling allows its participants to experience a full array of physical activity, including upper body movement, upper body power, and grappling, all while simultaneously working on their mind sports. Professional wrestling matches are very intense affairs that require a number of different skills to be utilized effectively. As a result, individuals with physical health issues can enjoy wrestling as a relaxing and mentally stimulating sport that may also promote a positive sense of self-worth.