Across the world, sports are a major part of human culture. Whether they are played by children, adults, or athletes, they contribute to a person’s personality and social life. They also promote physical fitness and mental health.
Sport is defined differently by each culture. Some people play sports for enjoyment, while others participate in them as a way of life. The most accurate predictor of lifelong involvement in sports is early socialization into sports.
Sports are used to construct national identity. Sports subcultures help define the role of the players and the spectators. Sports are also used to undermine hegemonic social relationships.
The Cold War era, which spanned the 1950s to 1990s, was marked by international competition between Soviet-bloc countries and Western nations. This competition was accompanied by a contest between systems. Nations were grouped into core, peripheral, and semiperipheral blocs, according to their economics and politics.
The 20th century witnessed the emergence of a transnational cosmopolitan culture. It also saw the diffusion of modern sports. These sports were marketed as signs of prestige, distinction, and power. They are also used to represent national identity politics.
In the late 17th century, boxer-entrepreneur Jack Broughton developed rules to rationalize competition. These rules were later strengthened by the Marquess of Queensberry in 1867. These rules also helped structure the emotional experience of sports subcultures.
The emotional aspects of sports are important. Athletes may experience feelings during a performance or after the game. These feelings reflect athletes’ own evaluations of their performance and their perception of how others view them.