One of the most beneficial activities of the human race is to play sports. All peoples, all over the World engage in one form of sports or another. People have many reasons for playing sports. For one thing, it’s fun. People in general are competitive so we enjoy competing against each other. Sports help us sharpen our physical and mental skills. One of the best ways to keep our bodies limber and in good shape is to engage in sports. Most sports, though not all, involve interaction with other people. That alone makes people happy. It also helps keep us in tune with our society, which is of course important.

The Most Popular Sports Worldwide

Association Football:

Association football as it is known most everywhere except the United States, is definitely the most popular sport in the World. Football is also commonly known as Soccer. Its origins, in some form, can be traced as far back as midieval times, England. In 1863 the Football Association was formed in London, England.

Football is loved the World over and is the most popular sport in England. The FIFA World Cup is the most popular and most lucrative sporting event in the World. In the year 2006 26 billion people watched on television as 32 nations competed in 64 matches.

Cricket:

Cricket is the second most popular sport Worldwide. In countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, cricket is most popular. Fans literally become fanatics about cricket. Cricket is also very popular in other countries, namely England where it as known as the British Gentleman’s Sport. It’s also popular in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Afghanistan. The ICC World Cup is the second most viewed sporting event in the World.

Basketball:

In 1891 Dr. James Naismith, a physical education instructor from Canada originally designed basketball in order to keep his students fit while it was raining outside. He used peach baskets which after some time had the bottoms removed to make for a more efficient game.

Basketball is now one of the most popular sports in China, United States, Russia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain and quite a few other countries. In the U.S. basketball is viewed on television more than any other sport. The NBA is the largest basketball organization and it is also the most lucrative single basketball organization.

Baseball:

All the World knows the love the United States has for baseball. The saying goes, ‘baseball; as American as apple pie‘. Baseball is also however, the most popular sport in Cuba, Venezuela, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

Baseball’s origins are rather vague. One might conclude that the development of the game of baseball is really a kind of evolution in Western culture. Origins of games that appear to be similar to baseball can be found as far back as 1344, in France. Other French documents exist that describe other games that also appear to be somewhat like baseball. So, we might conclude that baseball more or less originated in France. Variations of the game can also be found in England as far back as 1744. The formal game of baseball was however started in the United States by what later came to be known as the New York Knickerbockers, who were playing baseball in 1845.

Rugby Union:

The Rugby World Cup is the third largest single sporting event in the World and it is made up of 16 different countries. Over 2 billion people watch the sporting event annually, Worldwide. Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the United States, England, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia. School kids all over the World enjoy the sport of rugby.

German diving clubs actually play rugby underwater. The German Underwater Club (DUC) in Cologne, Ludwig von Bersuda started the practice in 1961. Many different variations of the game exist the World over.



Sports For Your Health

The reasons for engaging in sports are many. Besides the social and recreational benefits, sports help a great deal with keeping your mind and body healthy. Playing sports makes your heart race, your joints flex and your muscles work. That keeps the blood flowing strong and keeps your joints limber and your muscles strong.

The health benefits of engaging in sports are undeniable. Playing sports makes your heart pump faster which makes your blood flow stronger. That pushes plaque out of your coronary arteries which helps prevent coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.

Playing sports increases the endorphin production in your brain. In short, endorphins make you feel good. They make you happy. Sports also help your brain function better and allow you to think more clearly and more quickly.

Playing sports tends to stretch your muscles out, tucker you out and relieve stress. This helps you to relax both physically and mentally. As such, sports helps you sleep better.

Because playing sports causes your blood to flow better, your body is more able to supply its different parts with oxygen and nutrients that it needs. As a result, your whole body is healthier and your chances of living longer are statistically increased.

The Best Cardiovascular Sports

Raquetball – Handball

Raquetball and handball have long been known to be among the most physically active sports commonly played. The amount of energy required to play these games is high. In fact you can wear yourself out quickly playing this game if you’re not used to it.

Boxing

Boxing is an extremely active sport. Boxers are constantly moving in small jumps while throwing both arms with as much force as they can produce. You can burn a lot of fat real fast with boxing. The martial arts, like boxing, are highly active sports and are well known as an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise.

A few other sports that are well known for high cardiovascular are rowing, any of the sports that require a lot of running such as basketball, football and hockey. Some sports need not be on a playing field or a court. Sports like skiing, biking and hiking are also very healthy for you.

If you like the great outdoors you might consider a camping trip that involves a nice long hike into the mountains. You might enjoy breathing the fresh air, high in oxygen content due to the green foliage & trees. You can enjoy a nice dinner in the great out doors, cooked over a fire pit. You can sleep under the stars and then the next day do some more hiking.




Engaging in sports is fun, it builds the bonds of society and it greatly improves health. Play sports!