Association football, played above all else, is a sport that also offers social interaction and mental fitness, both of which are imperative to life itself. In some games like racing, competitors may compete, either singly or concurrently, with one another; in others, however, the competition (the match) is between opposing teams, each trying to surpass the other. It is perhaps the most popular sport in America and has a long tradition of both academic and athletic achievement. Football has been the most popular sport in the world for over a hundred years now. The sport has taken on several different forms and names over the years and, at present, there are dozens more.
However, the definition of the word “sports” itself has undergone several changes throughout time, stemming from common practices that have become deeply rooted, and, over time, absorbed into our culture. For example, during the twentieth century, “sport” came to include any type of athletic competition involving an array of participants, whether they were athletes enthusiasts, or merely interested onlookers. This broad definition of the term “sport” subsequently included any physical exertion. Today, we use the term “sport” to describe any form of activity that exercises a participant’s muscles or requires them to use their body in a capacity that their body was not designed for.
A sport is usually defined as a series of competitions that require a series of physical activities. These activities are often undertaken by a number of participants, all of whom are attempting to perform to the highest level of their ability, with the end result of improving upon their performance, usually through the use of skill. Often the competition involved involves multiple rounds or periods of action and may be enacted in real-time, as is the case with Olympic sports events.
An important factor that goes into determining whether a sport qualifies as a sport or not is the degree of skill or competence required to participate. In many ways, competitive gaming is similar to traditional games of skill. Games such as chess and Go are classic examples of games of skill, requiring players to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the strategies that will be used to beat their opponents. Likewise, games such as rugby can be considered a game of sport when players are committed to competing on an even playing field with the same level of skill and fitness that one would experience at an actual sporting event. However, there are some differences between the definition of sport and that of traditional games of skill, and this is where Michael Brown’s recent diagnosis with CFS comes in.
Brown’s diagnosis earned him a place on the Lancy Bass Hall of Fame roster, which recognizes people who have helped improve the world of computer games. The definition of sport that Brown is working to set forth could potentially redefine the landscape of online gaming, giving players greater options when it comes to scoring. Currently, games range from a simple platform with simple rules to elaborate, highly competitive competitions with players earning points based on their performance. If the current definition of sport is expanded to include all games of skill where players compete against each other using the same resources to score points, it would significantly broaden the scope of available games for online players.
While some may view the increased variety of available games as a threat to traditional modes of gaming, such expansion could benefit the entire video game industry. Many people are familiar with simple board games and card games that require little in the way of strategy or physical exertion, and many people would readily define these types of games as popular sports. For example, Trivial Pursuit, a popular game of word and crossword puzzle that requires no physical exertion on the part of players, relies on a simple set of rules and a basic understanding of how to judge one’s own performance against another. Similarly, a sport that requires no physical exertion would allow more people to enjoy video games that require very little physical activity. This would be a boon for those who participate in endurance events such as marathons and triathlons, and for people who enjoy activities that require great strength and stamina.
