The Mental Health Benefits Of Sport
Sport can be broadly classified into two major categories. Physical activity that requires an immense amount of strength or power, and which may involve sport at a competitive level (for example, swimming, rugby, hockey), and non-sport physical activity that is predominantly non-physical in nature (for example, riding). A sport can therefore be any activity that involves physical activity, and which may also involve competitions or social interaction as the main focus of the activity. In addition, sport can also cover any system of interaction that arises as a result of sport, for example motorcycling, sailing or even gymnastics.
Although the world of sport has developed over time to the point where there are hundreds of different types of sport, there are four areas of sport that are often most prominent in popular culture. These are physical activity, mind sports, competitive activities and spectator sport. Each of these has a significant part to play in the modern day, and each is important in its own right. Here is a brief rundown of each of them:
Physical activity is probably the most obvious type of sport, and is the basis for the majority of modern sporting disciplines. This is perhaps why the world of sport is so popular. However, it is not just physical activity that makes sport what it is today. There are many very important factors that go into making sport what it is, and the four main governing bodies that control sport in the UK are the SPFA (Sport England Ltd), EFL (English Football Association) and WUSA (Womens’ Union). These bodies govern many aspects of British sport, including tournaments, players’ registration and disqualifications, prize money, coaching and standards of play among other things.
Mind sports are typically associated with puzzles, brainteasers, crosswords and even more exotic activities such as ice skating and horse riding. There is no denying that sport is closely related to brain function, which makes it one of the most interesting areas of study in recent years. Sport science has made great strides in understanding the link between sport and mental performance, and several theories have been proved true over the past few years. For instance, polo has been found to have a calming effect on the mind, as well as helping to develop hand-eye coordination.
Communication skills are also an important factor in mind sports, as they allow you to interact with others in a way that is normally impossible within the boundaries of your own mind. The reason this is such an important area of modern day sport is that the amount of communication that exists between players on a pitch or court is enormous. It is therefore no surprise that people who have excellent communication skills are generally able to cope with the pressure of playing sport well, and this is something that all governing bodies should be encouraging. This is because sport can have a profound effect on mental health, and it is important that people are able to enjoy their sport without feeling the stress that could otherwise cause difficulties.
Finally, sport has been found to reduce levels of stress and anxiety, both of which are extremely beneficial for your health. The amount of pressure a person puts themselves under when participating in sport can vary, but most individuals agree that the pressure of sport is considerably less than the pressure put upon an individual when participating in other physical activities. Sport also allows people to release their natural anxiety, allowing them to participate in a game with a greater degree of confidence. There is no doubting that sports improve concentration and mental strength, which is another key factor in why they are so popular amongst people of all ages. Sport can help people overcome a number of life challenges, and the links between sport and mental health are well established. If you feel that sport is a suitable activity for you, make sure you consult your doctor before going out and enjoying a game!