Throughout history, sports have been an integral part of human life. Sports are a competition between two or more teams to attain a goal. Sports are also a great way to develop physical fitness and mental well-being. In addition, sports can promote healthy decision-making and encourage healthy behavior. Sports can help people maintain a healthy weight, lower their risk for cancer, osteoporosis and breast cancer, and can promote healthy habits such as not smoking or drinking.
In the United States, sports are a significant part of the culture. Millions of Americans participate in athletics programs at their schools and colleges. Major team sports include baseball, soccer, basketball and football.
Other popular spectator sports include soccer, tennis, ice hockey, and college basketball. The United States also hosts school-sponsored track and field.
Baseball is the most popular team sport in the United States. A professional league, Major League Baseball, governs baseball in the U.S. In October, the World Series is played. The winners of the National League and American League compete in the best-of-seven playoffs to determine the World Series champion.
The definition of sports has evolved throughout the centuries. In the mid-1500s, the English word’sport’ appeared for the first time to mean a game involving physical exercise. In the colonial period, sports occupied great attention in colonial Maryland and Virginia.
In the United States, baseball and basketball have been the most popular team sports for decades. The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the largest collegiate sports governing body.