Sports is a term that can cover any and all types of organized sports, including gymnastics, soccer, field hockey, wrestling, table tennis, basketball and softball. It is an inclusive term, which means “a game of sport”, but which also includes “all forms of physical play”. Sport (or sports) includes any type of typically competitive physical activity that, through either organized or casual participation, attempt to use, develop or enhance athletic ability and skills, while also providing recreation to participants, and sometimes, spectators. The term sport can also be used in association with other similar terms, such as play, recreation, game, exercise, and competition.
While the term sport has a broader meaning than simply being a competition, any physical activity that makes one physically fit at all times is included under the heading of the discipline of sports. Most commonly, when people refer to sports, they mean either a team sport an individual sport, or a physical skill competition. The most common of these is basketball, which involves two teams playing a set number of games against each other. Basketball and baseball are the most popular of these team sports.
Professional sports, also called professional sport, are organized competitions or events for money, reputation or just recognition by association with a particular club, organization, school, division or league. These include both outdoor and indoor games. Sports can be competitive or non-competitive in nature. In non-competitive games sports, the outcome is typically influenced by chance, whereas in competitive games, the outcome is determined by skill, strategy, physical abilities, etc. Professional sports also cover all other types of organized physical activities. These include boxing, American football, ice hockey, rugby, Australian rules football, motor racing, polo, hockey, tennis, swimming, fencing and synchronized swimming.
There are plenty of options for physical activity. Some people enjoy participating in aerobics, dancing, walking and climbing. More recently, some are starting to include yoga as an additional physical activity. Because there is a wide range of activities people can choose from, people who are not seeing a sports medicine healthcare provider for their health concerns should first take a look at the options that are out there.
Once people have looked at the various sports they could participate in, it is time to determine if they need any sort of medical care in order to participate in the sport safely. For people playing high-contact sports, there is a chance of a major injury if they drop out of the game or are injured. Injuries can range from minor to major. For example, a torn cartilage in a knee could require surgery to repair the damage, while a broken arm could require physical therapy to strengthen the arm and prevent a new injury.
Fortunately, many injuries that occur in sports can be treated without requiring surgery or other major medical procedures. Sports medicine healthcare providers can treat minor injuries using ice, rest, anti-inflammatories and other non-invasive treatments. If no improvement is seen after a few days, a person should seek the advice of a sports medicine specialist. It’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with sports-related injuries.
