Sports are activities that involve physical activity, whether it is organized or casual. These activities help promote physical fitness and mental well-being, and provide opportunities to socialize. Sports also foster competition among people at various levels. Having a clear definition of a sport is essential in order to properly understand it. The term sport is defined broadly, but there are many different types of sports.
In 1921, German scholar Heinz Risse published a book entitled The Sociology of Sports. This book led to the founding of a committee of sociologists that would study the impact of sports on society. Since then, many universities have set up sports sociology research centres. In recent years, sports has become a global phenomenon.
Globalization of sports is a result of a number of factors. Traditionally, European and North American cultures have dominated the development of sports. European and North American sports are the most popular, but non-Western cultures still retain indigenous forms of recreation. Asian and African cultures, for example, have challenged the traditionally masculine notions of sport.
Emotional processes in sport play an important role in the development of positive attitudes and a desire to win. Individuals may internalize these feelings to a greater or lesser extent, depending on their personality. They may also use these feelings to motivate themselves to perform better than their opponents.