Sports and emotions are intertwined. They influence individual and group performance, as well as the emotional states of spectators. Certain emotions are anticipatory, while others come during the game and afterwards. As a result, the emotions of athletes are also scripted by the subculture. The rules governing sports’ emotions guide athletes and spectators in managing their emotions. For example, they may have to maintain appropriate behavior during the national anthem or postgame celebrations.
The aesthetic element is still present in some sports, but the emphasis in modern times is on quantified achievement. One symptom of the shift from the Renaissance to the modern world is the change in meaning of the word measure. At first, the word measure connoted a sense of proportion and balance, but eventually came to mean numerical measurements. Similarly, the word sport has become synonymous with physical activity and fitness. It is no wonder that sports are a social, educational, and cultural phenomenon.
In the modern world, sports encompass a wide variety of activities. Cheerleading and golf are two examples of competitive activities, but they can also be considered sports. Dancing and fishing are also examples of sports, though these activities may be considered leisure pursuits rather than a competitive activity. Almost every form of sport involves physical exertion, and all forms of competition are intended to improve a person’s skill and performance. As such, a person who participates in a sport is more likely to engage in similar activities in the future.
