Sport (or sporting) is any form of organized, usually competitive physical activity that, through formal or informal involvement, attempt to employ, maintain, or enhance various physical aptitude and skills, primarily for the purpose of providing entertainment, but in some instances, also as preparation for competitions, which serve as stepping stones to higher ranked goals. Numerous athletes throughout history have proven the effectiveness of sport in developing and maintaining both physical and mental strength. The importance of sport for society as a whole has been acknowledged, with numerous public venues and schools creating programs designed to promote athletic development in children and adults alike. However, the benefits of sports don’t just stop at individual development. Through participation in sports and recreational activities, a person’s brain can be strengthened by stimulating both brain cell growth and the improvement of overall brain function.
Sport, like physical exercise, can provide a number of positive benefits for an individual. For example, sports can foster a sense of community or camaraderie, since those who participate in different types of sports tend to develop similar characteristics and goals. Sports can even serve as a venue for social interaction, since in the course of a typical sporting competition, competitors will often be forced to work together in order to best accomplish their goals, whether it be in sports like weightlifting or football or even more specific areas such as gymnastics or diving. Sports also provide an environment where people can test their physical capabilities against rivals or fellow swimmers or runners, further boosting confidence in one’s own abilities. Some athletes may even turn professional, turning their athletic prowess into a lucrative career by entering different professional sports, or even entering politics as a political swimmer.
As we can see, the benefits of sports extend far beyond the obvious benefits of improved health and physical fitness. Although participation in sports has its inherent risks, these risks are generally much lower than the risks involved in other, more traditional, forms of physical fitness. Studies have also shown that participation in sports has a significant positive effect on the self-esteem of young individuals. This is likely due to the fact that sports help build self-confidence and lend a sense of purpose to those who engage in them. In the end, sports may well be a great form of exercise. It is just that many of us choose not to.