What is sport?

You have to remember that physical sports require an incredible amount of mental strength in addition to an incredible amount of phyical ability (for the elite).

 

But those are practices that lead up to a competition. A person who runs marathons doesn't compete every day or even weekly in a marathon. Normally they train for a long time to be able to do that (by themselves). Are you saying they are less of an athletic and it shouldn't be considered a sport because it it just one person?

 

I believe a sport should envolve both mental and physical skill. Not necessarily physically exhausting as in bowling, you are most likely not going to be drenched in sweat, but there is a physical skill required. However, in chess, no physical skill is required, it's only mental. There should also be some form of competition.

Marching band and cheerleading should both be considered sports if they compete, but not if they are just for show.

I have engaged in slight arguments with a few football players over whether or not band is a sport and they usually throw in that it doesn't require as much strength and is therefore not a sport, however, not one of them would be willing to all but run, and at some times actually run, with a bass drum on.

 

That's interesting...I would never have considered Marching Band a sport (and still don't even after your post.)

 

Even if not, you should really check out a drum corps competition. It's phenomenal. They practice from 7am until 8pm for their entire season - more devotion to band then I'd ever be willing to give.

 

I agree with _pl_. Being a bass drummer in a marching band is just as physically and mentally exhausting as some sports (notice I said some). I remember coming off the field from competition drenched in sweat. And, it wasn't as if it were one game. We performed the drill at least five times in one day, had grueling long practices, and whatnot. We were more likely to be at the school just practicing on the blacktop or field long after the football team went home.

 

I'd say Cheerleading, is done in a competitive environment, is definitely a sport.

Poker however, is not. It's only a game.

 

And cheerleaders do not support a team?

Also, how does watching a band perform give you any idea of their motives for performing? If I just wanted to play music I wouldn't do it while marching around, I'd do it inside in air conditioning with a chair to sit in.

 

How about Rodeo? Bull riders? Bronc rider? Calf ropers? Barrel Racers?

 

Definitely all sports, IMO. They compete and require physical skill.

 

Golf is most definately a sport. I've been playing it for seven years now and I can tell you it is physically demanding.

Standing on the driving range for 3 hours, continually hitting balls and refining your swing takes it out of you. Although it may not be as physically intense as sports such as football (soccer), rugby or athletics it can come with injuries, many of which I have had since I started playing the game. Those who say otherwise obviously haven't played the sport at a decent standard.

 

Where people / teams contest for a prize?

 

I would define that as an activity or exercise. If they do it to compete it becomes a sport, but just jogging or running for recreation is just exercise.

 

Here's my deffinition. IMHO athletics are one form of "sport". Really sports are an activity done for fun and is in someway comptitive (i.e. hunting, baseball, auto racing, and even poker.) Athletics are sports where excessive physical exhertion is neccessary.

 

Is Pool a sport?

 

I would say yes it is a sport, but it's probably not an athletic competition.

 

It's competitive, it has official leagues, and yes, if Chess is considered a sport, than so should Dominoes.