Are physical activities governed by formal or informal rules that involve competition against an opponent or oneself and are engaged in for fun or reward?

The etymology of the word ‘sport’ comes from the Old French ‘desport’, meaning leisure. The oldest definition in the English language dates from around 1300 and means ‘anything humans find amusing or entertaining’ [source: Wikipedia]. The first English language use of the word ‘sport’ to mean a game involving physical exercise appeared in the mid-1500’s [source: Online Etymology Dictionary].

Many definitions of sport exist. The definitions offered may also be accompanied by definitions for one or more similar, closely related, activities that are ‘not sport’. Some examples include:

• Exercise is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful in the sense that the improvement or maintenance of one or more components of physical fitness is the objective. Physical activity includes exercise as well as other activities which involve bodily movement and are done as part of playing, working, active transportation, house chores and recreational activities. Source: World Health Organisation Europe (2011).
• A human activity involving physical exertion and skill as the primary focus of the activity, with elements of competition where rules and patterns of behaviour governing the activity exist formally through organisations and is generally recognised as a sport. Active recreation activities are those engaged in for the purpose of relaxation, health and wellbeing or enjoyment with the primary activity requiring physical exertion, and the primary focus on human activity [National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework, accepted by all Australian Governments, (2011)].
• "Organised sport". The degree of organisational structure that surrounds and influences the sport helps to distinguish whether an activity is classified as ‘organised sport’.
• All forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental wellbeing, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels [European Sport Charter, European Union, (16 May 2011)].
• All forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental wellbeing and social interaction (including casual, organised, or competitive sport, and indigenous sports or games). Sport involves rules or customs and sometimes competition. 'Play' (especially for children) is any physical activity that is fun and participatory, often unstructured and free from adult direction. 'Recreation' is more organised than play, and generally entails physically active leisure activities. Play, recreation, and sport are all freely chosen activities undertaken for pleasure [Sport, Recreation and Play, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), (2004)].

The degree of organisational structure that surrounds and influences a physical activity usually helps to distinguish whether an activity is classified as ‘sport’, ‘active recreation’, ‘physical activity’, ‘exercise’, or any number of other terms. Sport activities are usually structured so that one or more of these conditions are satisfied:

1. Individual or team performance is compared to another individual/team; or one’s own performance is compared to a past performance or a recognised standard (i.e. benchmark).
2. Performances are achieved under known circumstances; rules are used as standards (i.e. how the activity is conducted, time and space limitations, use of equipment, etc.).
3. A recognised organisational structure oversees the process. Typically, organisations determine the rules, determine what an outcome means, record and compare results, and oversee the overall organisation and delivery of the activity.

These three conditions add a sense of formality or structure to ‘sport’ that may not be present in other forms of ‘similar looking’ activities, such as active recreation or exercise.

For example, a group of people who meet in a common place (e.g. park, sports field, or backyard) and enter into a game of football would be engaged in 'social sport'. 'Social' because the element of organisational supervision is minimal, but 'sport' because the elements of competition (albeit of a friendly nature) and rules are present. If the same group of individuals were registered in a football club and trained/played in an organised and structured competition under the supervision of a referee; they would be engaged in 'organised sport'. In each case the individuals may perform the same skills, produce the same physical exertion, and may realise the same personal benefits (health, fitness, personal satisfaction, etc.).

More information about 'organised sport' is available in Structure of Australian Sport and Sport Participation in Australia topics.

Overall, the current defining elements of 'sport' are that it is physical (exertion and/or skill), competitive/has rules, and organised (e.g. governing bodies). These elements set sport apart from similar looking physical activities that are ‘not sport’ but may have similar aims/outcomes (e.g. physical fitness, mental wellbeing, relaxation, social interaction, etc.).

Is characterized by highly competitive physical activities governed by formal and formal rules?

Is a sports level that denotes occupation that requires training in a specialized field which involves money making?

Is the time free from work and obligations that may be used for physical activities?

Is bodily movements of a rhythmical and patterned succession usually executed to the accompaniment of music?