Leisure has important social functions, including relief from the demands and restrictions of work. There are two types of leisure - passive leisure that includes television, cinemas and active leisure activities involve the exertion of physical or mental energy. Low-impact physical activities include walking and yoga. High-impact activities such as football or cricket consume much energy and are competitive. The best leisure form of recreation in any society, or country is sports. Sports are group games and individual activities involving physical activity and skills. Playing sports not only keeps one active but also physically fit. Everyone likes to be involved in some kind of sport. Sports include the all time favorite outdoor games like cricket, boxing, football, hockey, tennis, basketball, volleyball, throw ball, badminton, handball and other indoor games. Just exercising could also be leisure for some people.
Any sport can be played only when the proper sports equipment are present. Like cricket needs a bat, ball, gloves, stumps etc, tennis requires a tennis ball and a tennis bat.
Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Used by itself, sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. Sports are used as entertainment for the player and the viewer. It has also proved by experiments that daily exercise would increase mental strength and power to study.
Sports help children develop physical skills, get exercise, make friends, have fun, learn to play as a member of a team, learn to play fair, and improve self-esteem.
Play is an important part of the childhood development. Play is recognised as a key area in how children and young people develop. Play and leisure time is also an important way to make sure children and young people use their spare time constructively, rather than hanging around. Play and leisure are also areas that affect disabled children and children from the traveller families.
Many play activities are carried out in schools, including sport. However, the amount of time that is given over to physical activity and sports is limited, and many children want more time, and more outdoor sports.
Play is spontaneous, childlike physical activity producing immediate pleasure. There is no goal other than sheer enjoyment. Feelings of exhilaration and tension often accompany play, with mirth and relaxation following. Sociologists and psychologists believe that play is a necessary part of physical development, learning, social behavior, and personality development. Among adults, it is conducive to good mental and spiritual health.
There are different categories of play such as physical play like hide and seek or sports, expressive play like painting, manipulative play like puzzles etc. Children increase their problem-solving abilities through games and puzzles. Play helps in physical, moral, social and emotional development of a child.
