Sports (or physical sports) is any forms of generally competitive physical activity that, through organised or casual competition, attempt to use, develop or maintain athletic ability and abilities while also providing entertainment for participants, and sometimes, spectators. The word “sport” itself can mean a number of things, but is generally used to describe physical contact sports such as soccer, tennis, handball, swimming, rugby, basketball, horse-riding and bowling. These types of sports are widespread throughout the world, with each having dedicated followers and passionate competitors. Some of these are known as ice Hockey ( rink hockey in Canada), American football (American football in the United States), Australian foot-ball (AFL in Australia), rugby league (rugby league in England, New Zealand and South Africa) and motor racing.

Over the years, the number of people participating in various types of sport has been on the rise, with research indicating that nearly 75% of the population in the United States alone plays some type of sport. Some popular sport categories include American football, baseball, basketball, softball, golf, hockey, Australian football, motor vehicle racing, rugby and cricket. Most countries have their own national sport festival, including the Investec Australia Grand Prix, which is an international motorsport event. In some countries, like India for example, cricket is seen as a more serious form of sport than other sports like soccer.

With so many different types of games and activities available, it is little wonder that there has been an increase in the number of people competing in sport activities. Participating in a sport requires a certain degree of physical dexterity, as well as mental acuity. Athletes need to be able to train rigorously and should be physically capable of performing the physical activities involved in the sport they are preparing for.

In recent decades, football has become one of the most popular sports in the United States. The National Football League (NFL) has been around since the NFL Super Bowl was first held in 1970. The NFL has been a driving force behind the growth of professional sport in the United States. Pro sport leagues include the NBA, the NHL, the WNBA, the MAHL and the German leagues. Professional sportswear companies are huge business interests, making huge contracts with national and international teams and organizing different sports events. All these factors have made the NFL one of the most popular sports in the world.

Cricket is another sport that has grown in the United States, from a small league in the mid nineteen hundreds to a fully professional league with millions of followers. Cricket is played all around the world in a variety of countries, but it is especially popular in the United States. Cricket players need to be agile and have excellent hand-eye coordination, stamina and agility, since their game requires them to cover a lot of distance while picking up a few hits. Cricket has proved to be a great fit for athletes looking to improve their physical health and as a recreational sport.

Extreme sports, such as surfing, skydiving, rock climbing and skiing, have gained in popularity over the past few years, as more people have become interested in trying them out. These extreme sports are all about overcoming obstacles and making difficult tasks look easy. Surfing, skydiving and mountain climbing are all about physical strength and endurance. Other sports, such as horseback riding, are also proving to be a great source of physical exercises.

Better Health: The Importance of Wellness

It is an important concept to be aware of when considering one’s health. According to the World Health Organization, “health is a state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being and not just the absence of illness and infirmity.” Various definitions have been applied over the years for various purposes. It was first thought that physical health was something that could be achieved through the avoidance of diseases, though it should be noted that this definition includes the prevention of diseases from happening in the first place.

Today, the idea of wellness has taken on a whole new meaning, one that includes both physical and mental aspects. The National Health and Wellness Association defines wellness as, “the capacity to experience enjoyment or well-being, regardless of the environment or circumstance”. Factors that affect the quality of a person’s well-being include family history, socioeconomic status, physical activities, healthy diet, exposure to hazards or risks, emotional health, and other factors.

Medical research is constantly growing, and there are many new developments on the horizon that will further define what it means to be healthy. The United States Department of Health and Human Services released a report that defines a basic framework for determining the level of wellness in an individual. From this framework, the individual behavior and physical characteristics of the person are evaluated to determine what their health needs may be. These health needs can then be translated into action by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and provided to providers as guidelines for what type of health services might be best for an individual.

There are several ways to determine a person’s health status, but the ultimate goal is to keep people in a state of healthy living. A major part of the definition for physical well being defines a balanced combination of diet, exercise, and social activities. In order to achieve this goal, a balanced combination of all of these components must be present. The ultimate goal is to reduce the prevalence of chronic illnesses that usually lead to disability and death.

Prevention is the best medicine, as Dr. David Katz, author of Eating Right, has explained. Preventing an illness means keeping away from it before it happens. Although genetics play a role in whether an individual will develop an illness or not, environmental factors such as poor nutrition, stress, and lack of exercise can also contribute to an individual’s well-being. Environmental factors are usually dealt with through education. In the case of physical well-being, education can be even more critical, as a poor physical health can directly lead to other life-threatening conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Individuals who are aware of their health status and who take preventative measures are less likely to develop serious illness or disability.

Although the United States has made some progress toward identifying and preventing many common diseases and disorders, there is still much work to be done. As with any public health issue–such as cleanliness and hygiene, smoking, nutrition, and physical health–revention is the best approach. Educating the public about the ways in which they can promote good health and prevent illness is a crucial part of this campaign. By identifying and reducing the sources of individual and social stress, as well as promoting physical wellness and maintaining a healthy weight, individuals can enjoy improved wellbeing, better health, and a long lifespan.