The Meaning and Types of Sports
A sports movie is an exceptionally successful film genre which makes use of sport as the main theme of the entire movie. Generally it is a fictional production where a fictional sport, popular sporting event, sports player, or fan of particular sport are heavily involved, and that rely on sport to an extent for their storyline resolution or plot inspiration. Most often this sub-genre falls under the large category of action/adventure films, though it can also apply to comedy films or dramas. They almost always have a strong sports background. Such films also tend to be box office hits, given their popularity among audience.
The film industry has grown immensely over the past decades, which has led to increased number of movies being released every year. Film viewers now want to see movies that they love and can relate to, and having a plot that captivates them is crucial. For this reason, many young people who do not like watching too much action opt for either a comedy or action film, whereas a sport-oriented film can make better viewers. The reasons for this trend are quite logical: sports attract the viewer because of their competitive spirit and high standards of performance, which are inherent to the game; young people love to root for their favorite sports team and participate actively in team activities such as games; and of course, most young people have dreamed of being successful in sports and therefore will go to great lengths to be able to do so.
The definition of a sport varies from one individual to another. It is usually associated with a physical activity that requires the participant to use strength, skill, speed, and other unique traits. However, some sports activities do not require these traits. For example, a sport that does not require a great deal of skill or physical exertion may be considered as such by some.
As mentioned earlier, there is actually no hard and fast rule regarding the definition of what constitutes a sport. Some experts hold that there should be a clear-cut distinction between sport and recreation. Sports, they contend, involves physical activity, while recreational activities do not. Others believe there is room for both recreation and sports, depending on how the term is used.
In general, activities such as horseback riding, swimming, tennis, golf, basketball, softball, soccer, track and field, ice skating, or any other sort of athletic activity are considered to be sports. But some experts argue that the meaning of the term is more complicated than this. For example, certain types of motor skills training can be considered as sports as well, but they are not technically athletic activities. The meaning of sports is as much to do with the audience as it is with the participants. A game of basketball, for example, may be deemed to be a game of basketball, even if every other participant participating in the game has a different skill set, but if the game was played for athletic reasons – like a game of high school basketball, then the game would most likely be considered a sport.
The fact is that the meaning of “sport” has become more muddled over the years, but the original meaning was about physical fitness, specifically training for war, athletics, and certain types of boat and ship racing. The modern definition of sports can be more complicated still. In recent years, many people have become interested in sports not just as a way of leisure, but as an opportunity to promote good health. There are many professional organizations now promoting and practicing a wide variety of physical fitness activities, from aerobics to yoga, which are used as a way to develop mental, social, spiritual, and athletic strength.