1. Chapter 1 What is Sport and Why Do We Study It? 1 What Is Sport and Why Do We Study It? C H A P T E R

2. Chapter Outline Sport through the ages Definition of sport Study of sport Chapter summary

3. Why Study Sport? Sport builds connections between people. A team gives a city or school an identity. Athletes are seen as societal role models. Sport affects cultures, traditions, and values. Sport offers insight into societal issues (e.g., racial and gender equality).

4. Sport Through the Ages Early Greeks used sport to celebrate and honor the gods. Spartans used sport to improve war skills. Athenians used sport, along with academics and music, to develop a person holistically. Early Egyptian culture had games with balls.

5. Discussion How is sport used in celebrations today?

6. Play, Games, Sport, and Work What are the differences between play, games, sport, and work?

7. Play Physical activity of childhood Free activity to explore environment, express oneself, dream, and pretend No firm rules or set location Outcome unimportant Pleasure as the only objective

8. Games Specialized form of play with more structure Mental or physical form (inactive or active) Informal or formal rules Competition Outcome determined by luck, strategy, skill

9. New Games Replace competition with cooperation, participation, creativity, and personal expression. Used around the world to bring groups together.

10. Discussion Create a game that could be used as a New Game.

11. Sport Physical activity and skill Competition—outcome important and not predetermined Institutionalization Specialized facilities and equipment

12. Discussion As a game enters the mainstream, it often gets organized with standardized rules and competitions and takes on the characteristics of a sport. Give some examples of this process.

13. Definition of Sport in North America Institutionalized competitive activity Physical skill and specialized facilities or equipment Accepted rules to determine a winner Changeable definition based on cultural beliefs and attitudes

14. Discussion Major League Eating (MLE) is the world body that oversees all professional eating contests. It is governed by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. MLE markets itself, obtains sponsors for all events (which award prize money), and keeps world records and rankings. Is this a sport? Why or why not?

15. Work Work is the physical or mental effort needed to perform a task. It is often connected to earning a living. Professional athletes work when they are paid to play sport. High-performance athletes may experience sport as work even if they are not paid.

16. Discussion Do you think a professional athlete can look at sport as anything other than work? Why or why not?

17. Study of Sport We study sport for three major reasons: Personal development Scholarly understanding Professional practice

18. Sport Science Various terms and university departments for study of sport and exercise Kinesiology emerging as standard term as the name of the field Three domains –Biophysical –Psychosocial –Sociocultural

19. Biophysical Domain Examining physical activity through biomechanics, physiology, and medicine Areas of study –Biomechanics –Exercise physiology –Nutrition –Sports medicine

20. Psychosocial Domain Examining physical activity through psychology Areas of study –Sport psychology –Motor learning and behavior –Pedagogy

21. Sociocultural Domain Examining physical activity through history, philosophy, and sociology Areas of study –Sport history –Sport philosophy –Sport sociology

22. Definition of Sport Sociology Sociology—study of society, its institutions, and its relationships Sport sociology—study of sport and physical activity in the context of social conditions and culture

23. Discussion Do all societies study sport in the same way that the United States does? What does the U.S. study of sport tell you about the place of sport in the United States?