Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.
What are your unpopular opinions about health / fitness?
Replies
-
I'd love to lift at home, but I don't have the many several grand I would need to build a home gym I wanted
You wouldn't have to spend that much I don't think.
I have a weight set (2nd hand) a squat rack my husband/son built and chin up bar, rings, plates etc...
the most expensive thing is the weight plates...at 1$ a pound...it can add up.1 -
Some games are not sports. They may require skill, and a bit of fitness but a sport? Worthy of the Olympics? Nah.
Games IMO:- nascar or other race car or motor bike sports
- golf
- ping pong
- bowling
- curling (that was hard for a Canadian to admit)
- baseball
- horse riding or jumping
- crickett
Almost sport like:
diving
ski jumping
While yoga is not a sport, it is an exercise that destroys me well.
Lotsa nope there. How are you defining a sport? Most of those are sports and require training and fitness.
Training and fitness in the elite maybe. Specialized skills? Definitely.
I forgot darts and billards in there.
This is just purely opinion based. Like deciding on whether art actually art to an observer. Some fitness required does play into it - for me.
All sports are games, but not all games are sports. I think it boils down to this: in order for a game to be a sport, there has to be some sort of physical defense presented by an individual or team. By this standard, bowling, golf, track, gymnastics, diving, etc. are not sports, because they can be performed individually without anyone else present. However, games like polo, tennis, curling, soccer, fencing, etc., are sports, because there is another party attempting to physically defend the progress of the individual/team.
There are plenty of gray areas. Car racing / horse racing / long distance track (where they aren’t confined to a lane) where people are able to passively or incidentally interfere with each other; is this defense? I’m not sure, probably not. Also, the World Series of Poker events – is the play of others a defense, in that they bluff and otherwise try to derail the other players? This is not a direct defense, since they can’t physically effect what cards other players receive and how they play them. Since it is merely a psychological “defense”, poker is a game, not a sport.
Darts - is closing out a number “defense”? Billiards - is placing your ball between your opponent’s and the closest pocket defense?
Another element - physicality. Is there a minimal amount of physical effort required? If not, chess is a sport, lol7 -
Some games are not sports. They may require skill, and a bit of fitness but a sport? Worthy of the Olympics? Nah.
Games IMO:- nascar or other race car or motor bike sports
- golf
- ping pong
- bowling
- curling (that was hard for a Canadian to admit)
- baseball
- horse riding or jumping
- crickett
Almost sport like:
diving
ski jumping
While yoga is not a sport, it is an exercise that destroys me well.
I have to say this since I have played most of the above....
nascar/bike sports take a lot of physical strength and endurance to do (friends who motorcross)
Golf requires lots of walking and the swing requires muscle (I play and I am sore for the first couple of days)
ping pong...have you not seen those fast games...that's endurance and strength
bowling I know lots who are sore afterwards so it does require physical movement
curling ...really that is a sport for sure...lots of core strength required etc.
baseball...ah hello
horseback riding...you must not have ever ridden...strength and endurance are required to actually ride...not just saunter
cricket...really??? have you seen a game???
diving and ski jumping require lots of strength and endurance and fitness...
the above maybe except bowling are all sports that require not only skill but physical fitness to play...even the baseball players that are overweight...yah they are fit to a point too...similar to powerlifters who are bigger aka overweight/fat.5 -
Well *kitten*, 10 years of gymnastics I most definitely thought was a sport and now my whole life is a lie!11
-
VintageFeline wrote: »Well *kitten*, 10 years of gymnastics I most definitely thought was a sport and now my whole life is a lie!
gymnastics actually better meets the archaic definition of "sport" than most of the others, since it originally comes from agility conditioning for ancient armies. Specifically, as training for Greek, Athenian, and Spartan warriors.1 -
Some games are not sports. They may require skill, and a bit of fitness but a sport? Worthy of the Olympics? Nah.
Games IMO:- nascar or other race car or motor bike sports
- golf
- ping pong
- bowling
- curling (that was hard for a Canadian to admit)
- baseball
- horse riding or jumping
- crickett
Almost sport like:
diving
ski jumping
While yoga is not a sport, it is an exercise that destroys me well.
You are actually opining that equestrian events should not be an Olympic sport? I think the ancient Greeks who invented the entire concept of the Olympics would disagree.
There is, granted, a yawning chasm between lumping 200 lbs of fat into a saddle like a sack of potatoes for a two-hour tourist trail ride vs. actual skilled riding descending from ancient military arts.4 -
French_Peasant wrote: »Some games are not sports. They may require skill, and a bit of fitness but a sport? Worthy of the Olympics? Nah.
Games IMO:- nascar or other race car or motor bike sports
- golf
- ping pong
- bowling
- curling (that was hard for a Canadian to admit)
- baseball
- horse riding or jumping
- crickett
Almost sport like:
diving
ski jumping
While yoga is not a sport, it is an exercise that destroys me well.
You are actually opining that equestrian events should not be an Olympic sport? I think the ancient Greeks who invented the entire concept of the Olympics would disagree.
There is, granted, a yawning chasm between lumping 200 lbs of fat into a saddle like a sack of potatoes for a two-hour tourist trail ride vs. actual skilled riding descending from ancient military arts.
yep. Also, according to the aforementioned archaic definition of "sport" as basically practice for warfare or combat, I don't think you can get much more "sport" than equestrian sports, aka cavalry practice.3 -
-
The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.13
-
stanmann571 wrote: »Alatariel75 wrote: »Some games are not sports. They may require skill, and a bit of fitness but a sport? Worthy of the Olympics? Nah.
Games IMO:- nascar or other race car or motor bike sports
- golf
- ping pong
- bowling
- curling (that was hard for a Canadian to admit)
- baseball
- horse riding or jumping
- crickett
Almost sport like:
diving
ski jumping
While yoga is not a sport, it is an exercise that destroys me well.
Sports don't necessitate fitness, they necessitate skill. In many sports, a level of fitness is required to reach the requisite level of skill, but not always. I think what's off is your definition of "sport".
The traditional definition of sport are combat/warrior skills performed in a nonlethal/recreational format.
that seems like an awfully archaic definition of "sport."
Be that as it may, it's Objective not subjective and thus useful for conversation.
For example Darts exercises the skills used in Javelin throwing when outside practice is unfeasible.... Snow/ice/etc... Note: Rain doesn't qualify... If it ain't rainin... it ain't trainin.1 -
byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
what? assuming you mean...the more people get upset that their game isn't a sport...
but in all fairness sport is defined as "an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment." or "an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature"
and until you play or do the activity mentioned your opinion on it being a sport/game is moot.3 -
byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.11 -
byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.
If you're so insecure that a stranger on the internet not recognizing your activity as their definition of sport, then I'm dubious of the nature of that activity. Most sports impart a self-confidence that give you the ability to not care about other peoples categorization.12 -
byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.
If you're so insecure that a stranger on the internet not recognizing your activity as their definition of sport, then I'm dubious of the nature of that activity. Most sports impart a self-confidence that give you the ability to not care about other peoples categorization.
Definitely not people being insecure. Rather pointing out a false statement and providing reasons as to why it's false.. But whatever floats your boat. If baseball isn't a sport - damn, what will America do. Oh wait, that's because it is. Oye.
4 -
There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.5
-
byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.
If you're so insecure that a stranger on the internet not recognizing your activity as their definition of sport, then I'm dubious of the nature of that activity. Most sports impart a self-confidence that give you the ability to not care about other peoples categorization.
Definitely not people being insecure. Rather pointing out a false statement and providing reasons as to why it's false.. But whatever floats your boat. If baseball isn't a sport - damn, what will America do. Oh wait, that's because it is. Oye.
Opinions on whether something qualifies as a sport can and do vary across all domains. Saying "Golf is not a sport" isn't a false statement unless you understand a lot more about what that person's definition of sport is.
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/is-golf-a-sport-and-the-answer-isit-depends
Just as an example. But the more someone demands that others call their activity a sport, the more I think "the lady (or gentleman) doth protest too much..."8 -
byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.
If you're so insecure that a stranger on the internet not recognizing your activity as their definition of sport, then I'm dubious of the nature of that activity. Most sports impart a self-confidence that give you the ability to not care about other peoples categorization.
Definitely not people being insecure. Rather pointing out a false statement and providing reasons as to why it's false.. But whatever floats your boat. If baseball isn't a sport - damn, what will America do. Oh wait, that's because it is. Oye.
Opinions on whether something qualifies as a sport can and do vary across all domains. Saying "Golf is not a sport" isn't a false statement unless you understand a lot more about what that person's definition of sport is.
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/is-golf-a-sport-and-the-answer-isit-depends
Just as an example. But the more someone demands that others call their activity a sport, the more I think "the lady (or gentleman) doth protest too much..."
says the gentleman protesting people challenging his limited definition of "sport."
that sword cuts both ways10 -
byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.
If you're so insecure that a stranger on the internet not recognizing your activity as their definition of sport, then I'm dubious of the nature of that activity. Most sports impart a self-confidence that give you the ability to not care about other peoples categorization.
Is powerlifting a sport though?1 -
byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »byustrongman wrote: »The more people get upset about their game *not* being called a sport, the more I am confident it is not a sport.
way to set the "dumbest post of the day" bar so high this early in the day.
If you're so insecure that a stranger on the internet not recognizing your activity as their definition of sport, then I'm dubious of the nature of that activity. Most sports impart a self-confidence that give you the ability to not care about other peoples categorization.
Definitely not people being insecure. Rather pointing out a false statement and providing reasons as to why it's false.. But whatever floats your boat. If baseball isn't a sport - damn, what will America do. Oh wait, that's because it is. Oye.
Opinions on whether something qualifies as a sport can and do vary across all domains. Saying "Golf is not a sport" isn't a false statement unless you understand a lot more about what that person's definition of sport is.
https://www.golfdigest.com/story/is-golf-a-sport-and-the-answer-isit-depends
Just as an example. But the more someone demands that others call their activity a sport, the more I think "the lady (or gentleman) doth protest too much..."
If that were the case then there would be no absolute truths, it would all depend on what the persons definition was...
for example...my definition of murder could be to only shoot someone so I am not guilty if I stab them...
smh.
and the article you linked is from this site
https://golf.procon.org/
which does not give an anaswer just pros and cons
and again unless you play golf...your stance is moot.5 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.
you might want to revamp this list...
synchronized swimming is hard and requires a lot of physical endurance and strength.
as does powerlifting
lumber jacking aka highland games
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
1 -
-
bmeadows380 wrote: »
Everyone dies. Absolute truth.2 -
bmeadows380 wrote: »
But is it an absolute truth that there are no absolute truths? Or is there just one absolute truth that there is only the one absolute truth and all the others are relative.
Honestly, I remember that question from a University Philosophy class.6 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.
you might want to revamp this list...
synchronized swimming is hard and requires a lot of physical endurance and strength.
as does powerlifting
lumber jacking aka highland games
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
The defining characteristic isn’t whether an activity is “hard” or not. I scuba dive, it is very physically demanding, but it isn’t anything close to a sport.
One of the characteristics that define a sport is whether participants actually play against another individual or team, with that opposing individual or team able to exert some sort of defense or otherwise impede their efforts. Otherwise, it is just an activity.
A group of synchronized swimmers can gather in a pool in an empty building and put on a very physically demanding performance – the presence of others isn’t required to participate in the activity. In the Summer Olympics, the best groups of swimmers gather together and compete, but at no time do any of the groups ever physically interact with each other or otherwise influence their performances. Therefore it isn’t a sport, it is a competition.
The same with powerlifting. I lifted weights this morning, engaging in an individual activity, not a sport, even though it required strength. If I show up at a powerlifting event this weekend, I’m performing similar activities before judges, and if I happen to lift the most weight, I win the competition. That doesn’t make it a sport. Only if an opposing powerlifter was able to affect my performance in some way would it become a sport.
7 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »Some games are not sports. They may require skill, and a bit of fitness but a sport? Worthy of the Olympics? Nah.
Games IMO:- nascar or other race car or motor bike sports
- golf
- ping pong
- bowling
- curling (that was hard for a Canadian to admit)
- baseball
- horse riding or jumping
- crickett
Almost sport like:
diving
ski jumping
While yoga is not a sport, it is an exercise that destroys me well.
Lotsa nope there. How are you defining a sport? Most of those are sports and require training and fitness.
Training and fitness in the elite maybe. Specialized skills? Definitely.
I forgot darts and billards in there.
This is just purely opinion based. Like deciding on whether art actually art to an observer. Some fitness required does play into it - for me.
All sports are games, but not all games are sports. I think it boils down to this: in order for a game to be a sport, there has to be some sort of physical defense presented by an individual or team. By this standard, bowling, golf, track, gymnastics, diving, etc. are not sports, because they can be performed individually without anyone else present. However, games like polo, tennis, curling, soccer, fencing, etc., are sports, because there is another party attempting to physically defend the progress of the individual/team.
There are plenty of gray areas. Car racing / horse racing / long distance track (where they aren’t confined to a lane) where people are able to passively or incidentally interfere with each other; is this defense? I’m not sure, probably not. Also, the World Series of Poker events – is the play of others a defense, in that they bluff and otherwise try to derail the other players? This is not a direct defense, since they can’t physically effect what cards other players receive and how they play them. Since it is merely a psychological “defense”, poker is a game, not a sport.
Darts - is closing out a number “defense”? Billiards - is placing your ball between your opponent’s and the closest pocket defense?
Another element - physicality. Is there a minimal amount of physical effort required? If not, chess is a sport, lol
Well, thinking more intensely does, by some reports, burn more calories. So, by an earlier-proposed, equally silly and also not generally accepted definition (of "exercise"), chess is an exercise, even if not a sport.
Maybe, if insightful strategy is an inherent part of making war, chess is even a sport.
(In just to redefine things in not generally accepted and increasingly silly ways.
). 2 -
the bolded is not in any definition of "sport" that I Have seen.Bry_Lander wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.
you might want to revamp this list...
synchronized swimming is hard and requires a lot of physical endurance and strength.
as does powerlifting
lumber jacking aka highland games
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
The defining characteristic isn’t whether an activity is “hard” or not. I scuba dive, it is very physically demanding, but it isn’t anything close to a sport.
One of the characteristics that define a sport is whether participants actually play against another individual or team, with that opposing individual or team able to exert some sort of defense or otherwise impede their efforts. Otherwise, it is just an activity.
A group of synchronized swimmers can gather in a pool in an empty building and put on a very physically demanding performance – the presence of others isn’t required to participate in the activity. In the Summer Olympics, the best groups of swimmers gather together and compete, but at no time do any of the groups ever physically interact with each other or otherwise influence their performances. Therefore it isn’t a sport, it is a competition.
The same with powerlifting. I lifted weights this morning, engaging in an individual activity, not a sport, even though it required strength. If I show up at a powerlifting event this weekend, I’m performing similar activities before judges, and if I happen to lift the most weight, I win the competition. That doesn’t make it a sport. Only if an opposing powerlifter was able to affect my performance in some way would it become a sport.
scuba diving depending on how it's done could be considered a sport...
tell me running isn't a sport...but it is mostly done as an individual, can be done in competition and the others competing will not affect the performance of the runner unless by accident.
so again...
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
btw I have a brother who is a master diver and I have done some myself...is it a sport...Yes...based on the definiton of it being done by an individual for entertainment....and if you require the competition aspect..fine they are competing against themselves1 -
Seems silly to me to claim baseball is not a sport.
But that I have that opinion doesn't mean I have personal investment in whether it is a sport or not (or am butthurt because it's my preferred activity and I want to be recognized as a sportswoman). That's quite a leap to make.7 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.
you might want to revamp this list...
synchronized swimming is hard and requires a lot of physical endurance and strength.
as does powerlifting
lumber jacking aka highland games
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
The defining characteristic isn’t whether an activity is “hard” or not. I scuba dive, it is very physically demanding, but it isn’t anything close to a sport.
One of the characteristics that define a sport is whether participants actually play against another individual or team, with that opposing individual or team able to exert some sort of defense or otherwise impede their efforts. Otherwise, it is just an activity.
A group of synchronized swimmers can gather in a pool in an empty building and put on a very physically demanding performance – the presence of others isn’t required to participate in the activity. In the Summer Olympics, the best groups of swimmers gather together and compete, but at no time do any of the groups ever physically interact with each other or otherwise influence their performances. Therefore it isn’t a sport, it is a competition.
The same with powerlifting. I lifted weights this morning, engaging in an individual activity, not a sport, even though it required strength. If I show up at a powerlifting event this weekend, I’m performing similar activities before judges, and if I happen to lift the most weight, I win the competition. That doesn’t make it a sport. Only if an opposing powerlifter was able to affect my performance in some way would it become a sport.
Where are getting the bolded from? I've seen several definitions of "sport" and none mention this particular qualification.
https://www.reference.com/sports-active-lifestyle/main-characteristics-sports-b007b055c5119
The primary defining characteristic of sports is that there must be competition, either against and opponent or against one self. For an activity to be competitive, there must be the possibility for one of the participants to be declared the victor. Without competition the activity is simply leisure.
In addition to being competitive, sports require physical exertion. The physical exertion can vary from extreme, in the case of a marathon runner, to light, in the case of a golfer. The important thing is that some level of physical skill is being used.
For an activity to be considered a sport, it must also be organized. A single runner covering the distance of a marathon is not a sport. The runner is engaging in play, or a leisure activity. When other runners are present, on a specific day and time, and the runners compete to see who can cover the distance the most quickly, the event is considered a sport.
Finally, sports are not work. With the exception of professional sports, sports are activities that people undertake for pleasure.2 -
jseams1234 wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.
you might want to revamp this list...
synchronized swimming is hard and requires a lot of physical endurance and strength.
as does powerlifting
lumber jacking aka highland games
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
The defining characteristic isn’t whether an activity is “hard” or not. I scuba dive, it is very physically demanding, but it isn’t anything close to a sport.
One of the characteristics that define a sport is whether participants actually play against another individual or team, with that opposing individual or team able to exert some sort of defense or otherwise impede their efforts. Otherwise, it is just an activity.
A group of synchronized swimmers can gather in a pool in an empty building and put on a very physically demanding performance – the presence of others isn’t required to participate in the activity. In the Summer Olympics, the best groups of swimmers gather together and compete, but at no time do any of the groups ever physically interact with each other or otherwise influence their performances. Therefore it isn’t a sport, it is a competition.
The same with powerlifting. I lifted weights this morning, engaging in an individual activity, not a sport, even though it required strength. If I show up at a powerlifting event this weekend, I’m performing similar activities before judges, and if I happen to lift the most weight, I win the competition. That doesn’t make it a sport. Only if an opposing powerlifter was able to affect my performance in some way would it become a sport.
Where are getting the bolded from? I've seen several definitions of "sport" and none mention this particular qualification.
https://www.reference.com/sports-active-lifestyle/main-characteristics-sports-b007b055c5119
The primary defining characteristic of sports is that there must be competition, either against and opponent or against one self. For an activity to be competitive, there must be the possibility for one of the participants to be declared the victor. Without competition the activity is simply leisure.
In addition to being competitive, sports require physical exertion. The physical exertion can vary from extreme, in the case of a marathon runner, to light, in the case of a golfer. The important thing is that some level of physical skill is being used.
For an activity to be considered a sport, it must also be organized. A single runner covering the distance of a marathon is not a sport. The runner is engaging in play, or a leisure activity. When other runners are present, on a specific day and time, and the runners compete to see who can cover the distance the most quickly, the event is considered a sport.
Finally, sports are not work. With the exception of professional sports, sports are activities that people undertake for pleasure.
that last part is interesting.
I feel like it's specifically included in order to differentiate from occupational competitions for physical professions, like are held for firefighters, soldiers, police officers, etc.1 -
Bry_Lander wrote: »Bry_Lander wrote: »There is a difference between a sport and a competition. All sports are competitions, but not all competitions are sports. Fishing doesn’t become a sport merely because a lot of fishermen get together and compete against each other for a prize, it is a competition. The same with synchronized swimming, dogsledding, powerlifting, competitive eating, ice sculpturing, and lumberjacking; the mere fact that people gather and engage in these activities in competition with each other does not make them sports. That doesn’t mean that many competitive activities don’t require just as much talent, dexterity, strength, and resilience as sports do.
you might want to revamp this list...
synchronized swimming is hard and requires a lot of physical endurance and strength.
as does powerlifting
lumber jacking aka highland games
sports again are defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
where as game is defined as a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck.
and competitions are what are a result of games/sports...
The defining characteristic isn’t whether an activity is “hard” or not. I scuba dive, it is very physically demanding, but it isn’t anything close to a sport.
One of the characteristics that define a sport is whether participants actually play against another individual or team, with that opposing individual or team able to exert some sort of defense or otherwise impede their efforts. Otherwise, it is just an activity.
A group of synchronized swimmers can gather in a pool in an empty building and put on a very physically demanding performance – the presence of others isn’t required to participate in the activity. In the Summer Olympics, the best groups of swimmers gather together and compete, but at no time do any of the groups ever physically interact with each other or otherwise influence their performances. Therefore it isn’t a sport, it is a competition.
The same with powerlifting. I lifted weights this morning, engaging in an individual activity, not a sport, even though it required strength. If I show up at a powerlifting event this weekend, I’m performing similar activities before judges, and if I happen to lift the most weight, I win the competition. That doesn’t make it a sport. Only if an opposing powerlifter was able to affect my performance in some way would it become a sport.
So you are saying that six out of ten events in the decathalon--basically the poster child for sport and athleticism--are not sports: javelin, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus and pole vault.
Again, the people who actually invented the Olympics would be surprised.5
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions