The human condition, including sports, is often characterized by the experience of emotion. While it is difficult to quantify the intensity of an athlete’s emotions, they are generally related to how others evaluate their performance. Some feelings are anticipatory, while others may arise during and after the event. For instance, a sport may require players to act appropriately during the national anthem, or during postgame victory celebrations. And although emotions can influence performance, they are also subjective to a certain degree.
In addition to physical health benefits, playing sports fosters social bonds between team members and enhances emotional strength. While a student-athlete’s participation in a team sport can lead to a higher level of success later in life, it will also give them a greater sense of self-acceptance. Those who are more likely to be happy and successful in life are more likely to engage in sport, so the benefits of physical activity cannot be denied.
There is no clear evidence of when sports began, but children have been playing with ball games for centuries. Some prehistoric art depicts hunters pursuing their prey with reckless abandon. Ancient civilizations eventually made hunting an end in itself. In addition, some cultures have even recited sacred scriptures or rituals while performing push-ups and other exercises. The rituals of ancient cultures are still rooted in many modern sports. For example, the Indian football game kemari is a form of ball game.
