Many philosophers have written on the nature of sports. They have focused on how athletes and spectators relate to one another through their participation in a particular sport. Some of these philosophers studied how sports are shaped by their cultural settings and by their own lived experiences. Others have studied the philosophical background of sports, such as the work of R. Scott Kretchmar and Drew Hyland.
The definition of sport varies widely, but it generally includes competitive activity. Michael Brown (2016) defines sport as “any physical activity that involves physical exertion and results in competition.” This definition excludes gymnastics and ice events, golf, tennis, and archery. However, this definition does not exclude casual physical activity that is played by individuals for fun.
A major characteristic of sport is its rules and conventions. This ensures fair competition and a consistent adjudication of the winners. Several aspects of sports are governed by rules, including how participants perform in the event, such as how the ball is kicked, how the game is played, and how much practice is required to complete a given task.
Playing sports develops a child’s physical and mental health, as well as life skills. The physical activity helps children keep active and engaged, and improves their concentration levels and immune system. In addition, playing sports teaches students to work cooperatively with others.