Category: Recreation and Sports

Gender study is a multidisciplinary domain which deals with various aspects of gender. Lately, sports is one of the fields experts are trying to analyse according to gender. According to several analysts, people believe that sports is meant for a category of persons. In the present Occidental society, for instance, sports has mostly been considered as a fertile ground or a means for men to express their virility in our society. In this compositions, I will examine how sports facilitates the building of manhood by raising some important points which include the following: The part played by Homophobia in the building of manhood in sport, Bias towards women who are given less freedom than men, the responsibility of broadcasting and how it solemnizes male athletes; haw sports as a hold fast custom among men. I will quote some prominent authors including Michael S.Kimmel, Thornton Andrew, Harvey Steven and Drummond Murray. In each of the points raised above I will show how sport contributes greatly to the social domination of men.

I will begin by spelling out the origin of gender inequality in order to demonstrate how sport has been dominated by men. We belong to a society where the father decides for the whole family. Which means that the role played by women is accessory and does not go beyond the house since the man is the breadwinner. She takes care of household chores and procreates. Whiles the man goes to work. However, things are gradually changing as women now provide labour force and can take care of themselves. Sports no longer obeys to gender factors but to the physical strength of athletes. Men are naturally believed to be more efficient than women in sport since they are stronger, tougher and more violent. This is the foundation of gender discrimination or inequality.

Drummond in his work entitled ‘’sport and images of Masculinity’’ says that’’ so much emphasis is placed on how well their (men) body can perform that being defeated boy a woman can significantly undermine their masculine and sporting achievement’’(P.135) this conforms what Michael Kimmel says that’’ masculinity is the repudiation of feminity.’’(P.123)

Andrew Thornton, in his thesis paper, ‘’The Accomplishment of masculinity: Men and sports ‘’agrees with the above authors by saying that ‘’ Sport has been organized as a ‘’Male preserve’’ which excludes and forms a site of the oppression of women. ‘’. (Thornton, 13).

Sports has been recognised for many years as the primary activity of men. This mindset has developed into homophobia which has contributed to gender inequality in sport. Barbara smith in her article ‘’Homophobia; why bring it up?’’ explains that’’ Homophobia is usually the last oppression to be mentioned, the last to be taken seriously, the last to go. But it is extremely serious, sometimes to the point of being fatal’’. (Smith 99). She explained that many people escape from this debate because people might question their sexuality. Homophobia is defined by Thornton as’’simply a fear. A set of actions that is done by people to other people’’. (15)

Sport has been recognised as a predominant activity. Men who practiced sports were considered as real men while those who abstained from a were perceived as gay. Women who took part actively in sport were considered as man-like. Women who take part in sport are more exposed to homophobia than men who do not. This idea is analysed by Michael Kimmel in his work entitled’’ Masculinity as Homophobia’’and Halberstam’s ‘’An introduction to female masculinity’’. Kimmel defines hegemonic masculinity as’’ the image of masculinity of those men who hold power, which has become the standard of psychological evaluation, sociological research, and self-help and advice literature for teaching _young men to become ‘’real men’’. (Kimmel 125) Thornton adds that hegemonic masculinity is” the subordination of women, the marginalization of gay men and the connection of masculinity to toughness and competitiveness”. (p 14) what is the meaning of a real man? Kimmel defines a real man as doing’’No sissy stuff, be a big wheel or be a sturdy Oak (P 125) Men practise sports from childhood and it makes them stronger and look important. On the other hand herlberstam describes an extended childhood period of female masculinity.’’ (Jack.5).

Nowadays, men who are feminine in their ways and women who behave like men are termed homosexuals. That is why athletes, men or women struggle maintain their virility or femininity during competitions in order to avoid being attacked. Kimmel explains this by saying that men are mostly characterized as tough, aggressive, competitive, violent, physically strong, athletic and it is because of this that people question the sexuality of women participating in sports.

More so, women who practice sports are always recommended to maintain their female image in the field. They have to perform well in the field while maintaining their womanhood. This is very difficult and discourages many women who are unable to practice sports without being tough. Kimmel would say ‘’Masculinity is a Homosocial enactment. We test ourselves, perform heroic feasts, take enormous risks, all because we want other men to grant us manhood’’ (p. 129)

Furthermore, sport has become one of the best means through which men make friends. It offers boys the opportunity to develop standards, competence and perspectives which are mandatory for an adult. The main reason why sports plays this role is that boys during Sports activities make connections, they come together, create bonds and get to know one another with the aim of creating male solidarity and help.

Drummond Murray says that ‘’It has been speculated that organized sport develops a sense of male solidarity that encourage men to identify with one another, this providing a medium for the regular hereasal of masculine identification’’ (Drummond, 192)

Most of the time, sports is aggressive with a great deal of physical contact.

This contributes to creating athletic bodies with muscles which muscles which is a sign of virility in a man. Sports strenghens a man to the extent of replacing a father who is absent. It helps men to express and show their manhood to the world. Drummond in his study with elite male athletes says that’’ sport is important to Australian surf life saving because it promotes muscular, suntanned male bodies that appear to be the epitome of masculinity as they are pushed to extreme levels of physical endurance,’’(p.133) And Monique Luisi confirms this by saying that’’images of ideal masculinities are constructed and promoted most systematically throng competitive sport and locker rooms. (p 1315). Sports this helps men to express and show their manhood to the world.

In addition to that, women are not advised to practice some violent sports like Boxing, Wrestling since they femininity. This sustains men’s domination on women as concerns sports. An illustration has been done by Drummond in his research ‘’sports and images of Masculinity where a group of elite male athletes undervalues female performance in surfing. He goes an extra mile to say that ‘’women are regarded as secondary to men in virtually all aspects in life.’’(p.138) This shows how much women are discriminated against in professional sports.

As concerns the financial aspect, most companies which market their products through sports prefer men at the detriment of women.

Even as concerns salaries, male athletes are paid higher than female athletes who complain about that and even perform poorly at times because of that. So sports is perceived as a men Affair. For instance a male athlete in (the NBA) makes at least five times more money than a female athlete (in the WNBA). This proves that sports is a ground for male hegemony and is a men’s affair.

Nowadays broadcasting plays a vital and essential past in humanity and has an impact in our thoughts and behavior. Mass media has greatly attributed manhood to sports. Most televisions, radios, Magazines, newspapers cover only male sports and show little or no interest in female sports.

This shows how much broadcasting has facilitated male domination of women in sports. Thornton gave the following information to explain sexual division in Sports and the building of virility. He says ‘’It has been well documented that the content of Magazines reporting on Sports is 85-90 percent coverage of male Sports. ‘’(P 5) Monique Luiss after investigating on that declared that ‘’Multiple studies have demonstrated that Hegemonic masculinity has been consistently showcased in the portrayal of athletes in the V.S media.’’(PP.1316) for both authors media contribute to Hegemonic masculinity.

Monique Luiss in her paper entitled ‘’Homosexuality and the heart beat of a locker room’’ explains how the media and players reacted when NBA player Jason Collins and NFL player Michael sans publicly announced they were gay. According her the media put into doubt their virility. Such an attention is most devoted to female Sports. In addition to that women play secondary roles the Sport media and have no access to locker rooms no matter how competent they are. This reinforces gender inequality in sports.

Definitively, the society as a whole has been forged in such a way that people do believe that Sports is meant for men this rendering women accessory when it comes to that. I strongly believe that sports is a great hinderance to sexual equali

To begin, the definition of sports is an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. Skill is one of the most important things for an athlete to have, but they don’t always have it to begin. Most athletic teens take sports very seriously. All the other kids in a high school that don’t play any sport, or don’t have a commitment can’t see the importance of sports to those who do play. To a non-athletic teen sports just seems like a regular game, but to an athlete that game could determine the college their going to attend. Playing sports should be part of everyone’s life! There are so many sports, there’s got to be one for everyone!

In high school, there are many opportunities to become involved in activities throughout the academic year. Whether it’s club such as GSA, chess, debate, or a sport like baseball or soccer in which athletes can challenge one and other, students have numerous opportunities to get involved in beneficial activities. These opportunities help prepare students for the real world by teaching important life lessons. Although clubs can teach students some major life skills, they do not teach the students as much as a student actively involved in high school sports. High school athletics teach students valuable life lessons, teach students how to manage what is important in their life, help cure depression, show kids how to work with each other in teams, and teach students to remain physically active throughout life. High school sports are an important key to teens becoming successful in life and should not be taken for granted.

In sports, to become not only an excellent athlete yourself, but a great team as well, athletes need to work hard, and work together. Whether it is by practicing or training to become better in the weight room, or training yourself to eat better, athletes know it takes hard work to acquire their goals. An athlete’s mindset is always growing, they know it takes hard work and dedication. This is also true in life. Whether it is for work or just mowing a lawn, it takes hard work to get where you want to go or be where you want to be. Student athletes know the pain of doing things they may not want to do in order to do the fun stuff. This is a very important life lesson that can and should be used throughout a person’s life.

Second, participating in sports helps athletes better work in teams. In the real world it is crucial to be able to work with anybody and everybody. Every job you’ll have will require some communication to other people. Rather it be a teacher, or even an author. Sport teams help prepare students for the adult world of teamwork. According to Doug McMillion (CEO of Walmart) ninety-seven percent of employees and executives believe lack of alignment within a team impacts the outcome of a task or project. Teams in sports are very important, if someone isn’t there to do their part the whole team may fail. Athletes learn this the hard way, they also learn some people aren’t the most reliable.

Another important lesson learned through high school athletics is to never give up. Throughout life, everyone goes through a tough time. Today, for adults, it can be hard to find a job. For students, it may be hard to make new friends. Instead of just giving up after a while you need to work even harder than before! Figure out what you’re doing wrong! Whatever happens, don’t give up! Sure, you might get turned down again, but it’s worth a shot. The same can be said and is demonstrated through high school athletics. In a football game when the team is losing by third quarter, do you think they’re going to just stop trying? No! They’re going to work harder, communicate with each other better, and have even more spirit then the first half of the game! Moreover, these student athletes try harder. They fight to the very end and never give up hope. Because these teens have a chance to participate in high school athletics, they learn valuable life lessons which will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

Although competing in athletic events can be fun, students learn to manage their schedules in a very difficult. If a student athlete is busy competing and practicing, they may fall behind in school, chores, and other responsibilities. He or she will be punished as a result. At west high, if a student becomes ineligible, he or she cannot compete in an athletic event until they bring their grade(s) up. A student becomes ineligible by containing just one F or failing to obey the school rules. Athletes even get punished by not obeying regular laws, even outside of school. This teaches high school students to pay attention to what is important, academics and not athletics. In most instances, a student will get a job based on their academic record and not by athletics. However, by being active in high school athletics, students will learn to control their schedules more efficiently and learn to always stay focused on what is important in their life.

Finally, athletics are important for the obvious, remaining in shape. It appears more and more people are becoming overweight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ninety-three million people were affected by obesity, they also found medical bills costed around one-hundred-forty-seven billion dollars in America. The best method to lose weight is by exercising and becoming active in society. The best way to do this is by participating in a sport. If a teen actively participates in high school athletics, then exercising will become a no brainer. Although many teens do not look as though they need to worry about their weight, as they get older, their metabolism will most likely slow down. In a nutshell, their weight will catch up to them. If teens participate in sports during high school though, it will be easier for them to get out and exercise when they need to later in life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention participation in a sport or group activity can help cure depression. Before school sports were provided to schools there was an average of 37,450 teen deaths in America due to lack of involvement and encouragement from the society. That number dropped drastically by the early 2000s, only 26,950 deaths were said to be caused by lack of involvement and encouragement by peers. Participating in a sport can help a student fight depression. Students always need a chance to be involved, sports is a great way to start. Sadly, according to the CDC thirty-three percent of American students agree that they are not welcome in sport teams. This needs to change!

Some adults believe high school teams have a negative effect on the lives and education of teenage students. They believe sports are becoming the number one priority in a teen’s life and students would be better off without the opportunity of participating in high school sports. Although high school sports are extremely important for teenagers, it should not overcome the importance of academics. At West, academics come first. Although most kids thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to play sports, they realize that unless they focus on their academics, they won’t get the chance to participate in sports. This fixes the problem of kids not worrying about school. Education always comes first, and the athletes know this. Just one F and the kid can be forced on the bench. Coaches even pay attention to their overall behavior, if they’re not acting right, they be kicked off all together. Athletes are some of the smartest and well-behaved kids.

Yet, there are still a very large fraction of the high school students that do not participate in any sports during high school. That fraction only increases with the size of the school. A goal should be set in each school to where the number of students that do not participate in high school athletics decreases every semester. This will not only be valuable for the teams that they join, but even more beneficial to the students themselves. Additionally, some teams don’t even have enough students to compete in tournaments, or games! How do the kids who want to play but can’t feel? Students need to get out of their comfort zone and try something new! They could be good, it could become a new hobby, they could find new friends, the benefits from sports are endless. If a student becomes involved in high school athletics it will help him or her tremendously. It will teach them valuable life lessons, teach them how to manage what is important in their life and teach students to remain physically active throughout life. The opportunities given through high school sports are very important and should be used to any high school student’s advantage.

Works Cited

1. Eladore, Margret Fransis, editor. ‘What is Physical Activity .’ Choose My Plate , 9 Apr. 2000, www.choosemyplate.gov/resources/physical-activity-what-is. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019.
2. Elliot, Patrick. ‘Combating Depression and Anxiety in Sports .’ Physiology Today, Feb. 2004, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mental-game/201811/combating-depression-and-anxiety-in-sports. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019.
3. Heard, Jessie, editor. ‘Depression.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 6 May 1990, www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/depression.htm. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019.
4. ‘Highschool Sports .’ MaxPreps, Nov. 2012, www.maxpreps.com/. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019.
5. Horsley, Nick. ‘Sports Participation .’ Sports Facts , pp. 1-2. Datalys Center , www.datalyscenter.org/sites/datalyscenter.org/files/Sports_Participation_Prevent_Obesity.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019.
6. McGuire, Emma Elizabeth, translator. ‘How to make your kid hate sports without really trying.’ CNN, 8 Sept. 1998, www.cnn.com/2016/01/21/health/kids-youth-sports-parents/index.html. Accessed 18 Dec. 2019.

Summary

This is a study comparing the walking kinetics and running kinetics of three participants. Different components were measured for each participant; these were the forces from each foot acting on X, Y, and Z and the overall ground reaction force of the right limb and left limb.

Introduction

Walking requires the coordination of hundreds of muscles, each activated to a precise degree at a precise time. It “is initiated by allowing the body to fall forward in an unstable position and then moving one leg forward to support” (Vander, Sherman, and Luciano, 2001, p. 326). The gait cycle is a repetitive pattern that is not exclusive to steps or strides, it encompasses the whole ambulation and involves the total body, primarily the lower limbs however at faster speeds the more the body depends on the upper body and torso for propulsion, balance, and stability (Shultz SJ et al, 2005). The body’s center of gravity is also at play during walking and running as it moves laterally and vertically during gait which we see the influence of during the analysis of the data. Occasionally gait is disrupted with the higher levels of the motor control hierarchy that are necessary for voluntary overrides such as breaking stride or walking over uneven surfaces. The importance of the sensorimotor cortex is that small damage somewhere along the system can cause marked disturbances in the gait. Walking gait is recognized as six phases; heel strike, foot flat, mid-stance, heel off, toe off, and mid-swing. Shown in Figure 1.

The research objectives of the study were to discover the forces exerted by running and walking kinematics, to then draw similarities and comparisons of each participant and collectively. Show understanding of the VICON motion capture system and Kissler force plates. After data collection, analyze and export data to excel to be formatted for abstract use.

Methods

A total of 3 male participants voluntarily took part in the experimental study, aged 20-30 years, weighing between 68-93kg. Each participant had no recognized injury that may compromise gait. The study was conducted over four hours in the Biomechanics Laboratory, University of the West of Scotland, UK, the subjects were only required over one testing day and had a time slot so participated separately. The VICON MX Plug-in gait system used composed of 10 Vantage V8 cameras of 8 megapixels running at 2000htz, the floor was composed of 4 Kissler force plates and 1 Active Wand was used for calibration. To begin there was a subject node created based on the chosen template, in this instance it was walking gait and then running gait, there was a dynamic calibration walking whilst following a figure of 8 patterns with the wand in the air followed by setting the origin, or a static calibration, placing the wand in the center of the area and recording 0,0. Then ascertained participant anthropometric data and added subject measurements to the subject node, attached markers to the participant, capture a static trial to find zero for the participant and reconstructed markers, ran the static plug-in gait model, and calibrated a Vicon skeleton for the participant based on the chosen .vst file and then manually labeled the markers where there was then a dynamic trial captured, participants walked and ran up and down 3 times to ensure adequate data recording and clean strikes on the force plates. The 16 anatomical markers were placed at 8 points on each side beginning at the anterior superior iliac, the top of the sacrum, and laterally on the thigh, knee, tibia, ankle, and heel and toe.

Results and discussion

As seen in table 1 we can identify strong correlations through p values with all the data sets for both walking and running for all participants. We can identify that there are greater correlations in the Fy lateral axis for both walking and running for all three participants, and also no significant difference in Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) axis. Observing the Fx column from Table 1 the values for walking and subsequently running showing that although these also show no significant values in terms of between participants, and although weaker than the other axes described we can still see in the results in the fore and aft portion of the force plate data during running (P = 0.055) are more marginal during walking (P = 0.201). Further depth of results is located in the appendices.

Upon looking at the graphs shown as appendices E-J we see that the ground reaction force shows two force peaks and a valley in between, this can be described during the walking gait cycle as the heel strike and heel off portions, with the valley indicating mid-stance seen in figure 1. From these graphs, we can premise if a person is a significant heel striker or if it shows midfoot to forefoot strikers between the participants. Observing appendix E, participant A strikes high in terms of force with his heel and shows a sharper decrease toward the mid-stance showing an indication of a prominent heel strike, for both the left and right foot. Contrasting this to participant B we see an almost flattening line between peaks although still with a decrease showing he is also a heel striker but not as prominent as A and imparts onto the midstride (Williams, 1985). Participant B shows a middling between participants A and C but a sharper transition into the ‘heel off’ force peak, a higher second peak has a probable explanation of propulsion as more force is associated with propulsion than with impact, thus indicating more power being generated (Williams, 1985). Using the data to compare between left and right foot any similarities that may occur in GRF may be noticeable, as when looking at participant B in appendix F we see that both feet are almost identical, bar a slightly higher recording of force during heel off phase in the left foot. An explanation of this could be a right-footed subject utilizing the left foot more for balance and stability during mid-swing so the center of mass in the individual shifts as the left side of his pelvis tilts downwards creating a more stable base for the right foot to lift from the ground. Or, that of the right foot being the dominant foot and having greater autonomous control of placement than the left, producing a more even weight distribution. With the data collected from all three participants, they record higher figures of force shown during the heel-off phase of the gait cycle. However, Participant A that he has a significantly higher force on his left foot heel strike in relation to his right which shows the biggest difference between all participants. Does this then show an indication of a hip drop, a unilateral weakness of the hip abductor, predominantly in the gluteal musculoskeletal makeup may lead to a compensation of the trunk and pelvis, and thus the center of mass is mostly on the stance leg? This would require further testing and analysis of the participant. Again, it is crucial to remember the entire body moves whilst walking, a weak link in the chain can have consequences on a person’s gait and strike pattern.

Analyzing the graphs of running we notice similarities between participants B and C, Appendices I and J, in that we have an initial spike followed by a dip and further spike before dissipating in the toe-off phase of the running gait cycle. This initial spike could be explained by a toe strike before the weight is shifted onto the ball of the foot before lifting off again. Participant A in Appendix H, shows a more stable curve of force, landing more so onto the ball of his foot having a more fluid running efficiency. He also has a shorter strike time during the running gait recordings, showing on the graph slightly over 0.2 seconds and a greater flight time whereas participant B records an estimated 0.3 per foot strike and a shorter flight time between steps and participant C records a similar to B in strike time and flight time. Equally, the walking recordings of Fy show similar lateral foot rolling patterns during the strike from each foot of each participant as they ran with participants A and B differing in foot roll from C. The difference between gait and run cycle we notice is the time passed when completing, the data showing walking cycling recorded between 1.2 and 1.4 seconds whereas the run cycle shows 0.6 to 0.7 seconds, this is in corroboration with literature, also that the GR force is smaller in walking gait meaning the load on the participant or athlete is lower (Chan and Rudins, 1994). We also notice that there are two impact force phases of a step, compared to just one during the running gait, this explains why runners tend to have more injuries in comparison to walking as the shock abortion is much larger, placing more stress on the lower limb joints, and muscles as seen by the higher number of forces between running graphs than walking.

Conclusion

This collected data is useful and provides insight into the forces produced during walking and running whilst also evaluating gait. Although, this study group is limited to only three participants, to further develop this study it is suggested to include more population groups, including female participants and different age groups. Including differing sports groups to see any imbalance or similarities between gait cycles of walking and running. To balance all results between future participants the removal of footwear would be beneficial to standardize results. Despite the limited sample size, the analysis is useful to further understand walking and running kinematics, the differences, and similarities between individuals, and gain vital experience in using the highly technical VICON system.

In today’s society there are many people of several different ages, genders, races that struggle from disorders which enables them to be able to do certain activities that others can do. Everyday most people take the ability of being able to play sports for granite which we have came to understand this but is that just one of the many reasons we (citizens) support Unified Sports. We all go through many challenges and have to face several obstacles to some day achieving for personal & academic success. That’s why we want to be able to give back to give back the intellectuals who aren’t able to play sports or do the types of extracurricular activities and help them become more physically and mentally active especially the individuals who don’t really get the chance to play sports with a group of peers of who are encouraging them every step of the way as the thrive to learn the sport better while also having fun and enjoying themselves.

The Special Olympics Unified Sports was founded in 1968 and it main focus was to help spotlight the power of inclusive competition and to showcase their abilities, while also at the same time providing an opportunity to raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics programs. A few reason why inclusive sport organizations are established is to combine players with intellectual disabilities of similar skill level in the same sports teams for training and competition. Each kid with & without a disability learn a lot from the program. Such as the personal development of athletes and partners. Promoting of positive perceptions of athletes. It as has became a world wide know sport that has been seen from all sights of the world and had caught attention of many people & also world leaders.Special Olympics are very important to everyone throughout the world.It’s one of the largest sporting events on the planet and it help inspire, promote & advances a world of full inclusion for people with disabilities.This sport event attracted people from all around the world, including 150 countries & 2,500 journalists. Sports that have Unified people in it main goal is to join people with and without a disability on a similar team They are also is determined to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training and competition experiences.We will also be training together and playing together which is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

Young Athletes with disabilities learn how to play with others and develop important skills for learning. They also learn to share, take turns and follow directions. These skills help children in family, community and school activities. Teaching kids healthy habits can set the stage for a life of physical activity, friendship and learning. While they learning life of physical activity and building new friendships, their families are able to get the experience to see their child have a great and fun time while playing with kids of their age which makes them even happier. Families who visioned a typical life for their children can come true. Their kids can finally live the reality of being accepted by their peers, have friends and lead ‘regular’ lives. Children also develop a positive understanding of themselves and others.Children learn at their own pace and style within a nurturing learning environment. Us students being the “partners” really play major role with encouraging them to do great and have fun no matter how good or bad they do because we know it’s not about just the success of learning the game but also being to make that certain individual feel happy and getting them active with their peers and be able to give them the excitement that everyone else is capable to have in life but while also enriching the lives of others by providing understanding and support that helps athletes realize their potential no matter if it’s in the game of sports or just their potential as a person and trying to figure out their overall being.

When you join the Special Olympics Health program, you will be able to help individuals with disabilities gain a better acceptance of education, training, comfort level.You will be able to give the kids with disabilities health opportunities, education and services needed to be inclusive at the individual level, throughout homes and communities, and reflected in public. Anyone can help with Unified Sports, you just have to actually want to help them achieve their overall goal of success. It’s volunteer work so the people who usually help are the one who are really passionate about helping these intellectuals find new friendship and help provide more participation in communities. After helping you gain the experience to be able to learn how to work with a person with disability and understand that just because they have a little disability, that doesn’t and shouldn’t hold them back from doing the great things life just like the average person in the world. Also when you help out, you probably might really like providing a better and more healthier life for these kids and possibly see it as a future career. We become more lenient with the rate of having to educate or help someone with anything in life .Many people gain to accept life more after seeing those individuals in the type of conditions there are in. Such as when you see how hard it make take them to learn a certain step due to the way their brain work, you start to really be proud with the way you are and to not take things for granite in life because there is someone out there who is having a harder time with there life than you are. But after they learn that certain skill, they get so happy and excited which is really thrilling to everyone around because that’s all everyone is striving for which is to make sure we they have a great time so, another thing that we gain from this is being able to have a good time with not just your peers but everyone who choose to join Unified Sports, no matter if your really young or elderly, we all are here to have good time while building friendships, self-esteem, confidence and physical fitness. You can become a better person when helping out because this program will teach to be kind to someone no matter how they are and you begin to overlook the disability they have and you only see a person who’s just like you but maybe more excited due to there type of disorder but after you show initiative to be able to be there and helping them, they began to realize that not everyone is going to make fun of them due to what they have. So you can help reduce bullying in school suchs as elementary, middle school, high school, and even college have to deal with the problem of bullying so with the more help we have, the less intellectuals have to feel bullied and be bullied.

There are many ways you can help kids with disabilities. One way is by creating opportunities for success and avoid any problems possible. Also do your best to help boost your kid’s confidence by saying things like ‘good job’, ‘your doing great’,’your really smart’, which would really change the mood of your child which will show throughout the process. Try to give them simple directions and break down task into easy steps.Help your child succeed by telling her what to expect and how to behave in new or unfamiliar situations. Because she may not pick up on the “unspoken rules,” it is good to discuss what the expectations are. Throughout the years, families have been playing a major role to the success of the child and for that individual to have there mom,dad and siblings to watch them achieve their goal is a great feeling, not only for the intellectual but for the professionals who has been there from day one. Families are very open hands & open minded to new ideas that will help their children in any,shape, or form possible. This is why many supporters may asses the families including interval care, counseling, and individual support. Parents do their very best to find supports that would be helpful to them. Many people are starting to acknowledge The Special Olympics so there’s has been a major increase in the volunteering for Unified Sports. Even though many professionals are starting to retire from helping with the kids, there are many more that are applying to help with the movement which is a major factor in today’s world because many people are open hands to help out with people who don’t get much attention as most people so they choose to be the ones to make a difference in the world. As of June 2017 over 3,000 new health care professionals have been trained and Healthy Communities advocacy is engaging the next generation of health workers to be trained in how to treat people with intellectual disabilities. To recognize the progress being made around the world to increase access to essential health care for people with intellectual disabilities.

In today’s society there are many people of several different ages, genders, races that struggle from disorders which enables them to be able to do certain activities that others can do. So overall our purpose it to ensure that everyone is introduced to the equality of having the same qualities as those who doesn’t have a disability but still teaching them to respect each other, have fun, be encouraging, be enthusiastic no matter the income or outcome. With these action we will be able to spread more positivity into the world, which is really important in today’s society as not many people really realize how much of having a disability can enable you from doing even the little things in life so being able to get other to understand would be phenomenal.because he goal of the Special Olympics is to bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given a chance to become productive citizens. We want people from all different aspects of life to help us with the growing problem of the rejection of intellectual people in schools and society. As we do the small things in life they will equal out to a big portion of our goal and these actions are what is going to help our intellectuals actually discover their potential.

Abstract

It’s no longer a secret that Internet of Things has changed the world a lot. We also know that this decade is the decade of (IoT). We cannot ignore the contribution of data analytics in every sports played in the world whether the sport is football, cricket, volleyball, basketball or kabaddi. It’s nothing new that IoT and data analytics has made an impact on the sports world which cannot be ignored. In the recent days IoT usage is quite beneficial for professional sports & athletes. After arrival of IoT things have become quite exciting.

INTRODUCTION

Modern society is looking for user-friendly aiding systems, able not only to remotely monitor the health of the elderly and people suffering from chronic diseases, but also to find a safe and efficient routine to practice some sport or single exercises in an outdoor or indoor environment(such as gymnasium), in order to improve each person’s level of fitness and health. In this context, Internet of Things (IoT)-related systems are abletobringsolutions. The IoT paradigm can be built using wireless sensor networks (WSNs) as the leading technology to acquire and manage data. Connecting other smart elements to a WSN (smartphones, watches, tablets, etc.) may also improve the user experience in the IoT, and it could act as a starting point for the use of the technology. If the smart devices are wearable, the first technology-access barrier is broken: the user just has to “wear” the technology as a daily-life garment.

IoT or it can be termed as Internet of Things has been the concept consisting so much of excitement over the years, with the benefit or facility of connectivity. Basically IoT is the network of physical ‘things’ or devices that consist of embedded technology that could process ,act ,communicate & sense within the network & with external space. As we know that there is no further need to explain about tremendous amount of impact of IoT in our daily lives. If we talk about science & technology, medical field, architectural field, economics, sports & many more field then we can see that IoT has played a huge role in evolvement of these fields. Sports industry is very much effected by IoT in recent years. Following are some of the IoT trends that will or may continue to evolve the sports industry.

DATA CAPTURING ON SPORTS

We are well aware of the concept called data capturing & also we cannot say data capturing as new. However, the quality of data available at present and the speed of data gathered has been increased drastically. The way that sports engaged with various technologies is changing the way the fans view the sports, coaching and even the way various sports franchisees are run. At present, there are various apps & websites are available which not only facilitates sports fans to watch their favourite games in a live telecast but also to analyse every situation of game themselves. Any one can become an expert in their favourite game if heshe has an internet connection .

DATA REVEALS EVERY DETAILS OF THE ATHLETE

Data analysis & IoT has become an integral part for evaluation of every detail of athlete. Few years back, the facility of video analysis was available for analyzing the details of any athlete in the world only. Unluckily, video analysis was not enough because this analysis always resulted in retrospect. But the present day technology captures what’s happening here and now in live and also it can be often predicted what will happen in real-time, enabling a much better & more forward-looking analysis. Today, many professional athletes & coaches are carrying different different types of devices whether it’s smart watch, fit-bit, tracking device, smart phones etc. those devices help them in measuring their performance day in & day out. The IoT possesses a power of offering exact and real-time data about all sorts of measurements like distance, movements, speed and acceleration. In cycling in which Le Tour de France is the most popular one, GPS sensors implanted in the riders bicycles in order to measure their precise position in the race, on the road, and how close they are to their competitors. In cricket, spider camera has been introduce to measure the distance of ball & also there exist some technologies to measure speed of the bat whenever a batsman hits the ball for boundaries .IoT isn’t just limited to cycling and volleyball. Professional swimming suits can be equipped with accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure the time, speed, acceleration, and velocity of swimmers.

ADVANCED WAY OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

In order to perfect themselves the professional athletes are taking many advantages of IoT by clubbing IoT devices in their training routines. Those devices can be smart wearable devices or any other latest equipment. In cricket, while practicing in the training sessions the players use various technologies to measure their bat speed, bowling speed, or their reaction time while fielding. These analysis will help those players to improve their skills & reaction time. Let’s have another example, in football a small device is embedded in the ball to measure the impack of kick by the player this also helps those players in improving their kicking skills.

All of the analysed data can be gathered on a smartphone or computer or in a laptop, where it can be analysed by the athlete to evaluate the effectiveness of training and plan future training sessions accordingly.

MATCH WINNING DECISIONS

IoT technologies possesses the ability to track distance, speed, and position and to showcase those information in the real time. Since data from a similar event in the past can decide or predict a future outcome, the information gathered gives coaches the opportunity to make better and better decisions on the spot and to adjust the game at the right time when it’s needed.

PROTECTION FOR SPORTSPERSONS

The IoT in sports also enables protection for players. Most sports are considered as a source of entertainment. However, there exist some sports which may be risky for the sportsperson like mixed martial arts, skateboarding, car and bike racing. Due to those risk factors in sports some companies have built devices that can actually track these things. A player who gets hit or fall at a particular moment in the game. A sensor fitted inside the helmet measures the impact and forwards information to the coach and the medical staff. This enables medical staff to determine if it’s safe for the players to continue playing. The data collected during the actual event is also used to optimize performance and training. Few times ago, performance analysis of athletes done in fixed settings such as on a treadmill or exercise bike. But now, technology captures their performance in the natural environment of the game .With technology, coaches can customize workouts of the players to be more personalized and efficient for them. Entire team can be monitored in order to optimize the game. In the IPL, which a premier league of cricket in India consists of many technologies to monitor the players. Most athletes also wear monitors that show biological data such as pulse, calories burnt, heart beat in real-time. This deep body analysis provides them connectivity with their bodies more than ever before. And being competitive by nature – getting measured like that gives these athletes enormous motivation to perform even better than ever.

This biological data generated by the usage of IoT can also prevent injuries. Various football clubs such as Barcelona football club, Real Madrid, Liverpool are world famous football clubs and they have utilized the IoT by collecting biological data and reduced the injury risks. Cricket clubs like Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Lancashire, Somerset.

Data gathering is not limited to the athletes and their equipment. Even the training places where they practice are fitted with devices enabling data analysis. During water sports, data from the swimmer’s embedded sensors are equipped with video footage taken from cameras both above and below the surface of the pool. After that, data is analyzed using various software tools to determine the performance of swimmer. This allows coaches to find out where they can improve their technique.

In a football match, goal-line technology can determine whether the ball has crossed the line or not. The sensors are connected to a smart watch on the wrist of the match referees, who instantly decide whether to award a goal or not. Player-tracking software tools utilize multiple cameras around the ground and provides a two-dimensional mapping and animation offers intensive analysis of matches, giving insights into player movements and efficiency.

NEW WAY OF EXPERIENCE FOR FANS

So far, we have seen how technology especially IoT has transformed the way coaches coach and players play. But what about the fans who are the soul of any sports? Fortunately, fan experience is enhanced and more interactive than ever. Fans are always just a one click away to gather everything about their favorite sport, athlete or team since much of the data collected by coaches is highly available to fans via apps and websites.

But the real fan experience is the physical presence in any of the sports events. Social analytics technologies allow spectators in the stadium to see the game ordering a pizza while sitting and just with one click and also pizza is delivered to their seats.

While the idea of collecting data during game is not new, the quality of the data now available, the excessive speed at which it is collected, and various ways in which it is used has reached new heights. In sports, wins are obviously not determined by technology, but more by how skilled and agile athletes are. However, in the world of sports where monir margins reflects a huge impact, wearable devices, monitoring systems, and data analysis tools provide that extra edge that so often delivers victory.

EVOVLVEMENT OF IoT

The sports field also sees the evolution of the IoT as thing filled with excitement. The Internet of Things is a game-changer. It is more than just a technology, given that sports clubs and teams are using networked and wearable devices, bon and off the field, in various ways, such as:

1. Embedding players’ shoulder-pads with sensors for measuring on-field performance.
2. Embedding sensors and cameras into the helmets of players to obtain a different view and to measure impact.
3. Development of smart mouth guards to enhance safety in combat sports.
4. Deployment of cameras around a basketball arena to track and analyze players’ movements.
5. Putting adhesive sensors to athletes’ skin to measure physiological data, biological data and hydration levels.
6. Usage of wearable to access performance and control monitoring in gyms.
7. Fitting of sensors on a football, under the surface for goal-line decision technology.
8. Development of high-tech gears whose fabric analyzes and senses the muscle movement.
9. Embedding head-mounted cameras on players to capture unique game views.

CONCLUSION

This research paper mentions about the inspirational aspects towards IoT in sports. In very short time the way of broadcasting, training, analyzing in sports has been changed at speedy rate. Its quite true that IoT in sports has helped a lot whether it’s the case of prevention from sports injuries, strategy building during games, analysis of data to judge the performances of sportspersons, or broadcasting of sporting events. IoT in sports plays a major role in the transformation of world of sports.

It should be predicted that IoT in sports will continue to surprise us by bringing some phenomenal changes in the sports field which were possible only in dreams few years ago.

REFERENCES

1. P. Guillemin, and P. Friess, Internet of things strategic research roadmap, The Cluster of European Research Projects. 2009.
2. Cisco, The Internet of Everything and the Connected Athlete: This Changes, Everything. White paper. 2013.
3. How Data and IoT are Changing Sports http://blog.stibosystems.com/how-data-and-iot-are-changing-sports
4. The internet of things is revolutionising the world of sport https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/02/internet-of-things-sport-six-nations
5. The Internet of Things and the Field of Sports
6. https://customerthink.com/the-internet-of-things-and-the-field-of-sports/

Sports unite people and nations worldwide by giving them a healthy outlet to work towards. Furthermore, sports give billions of people something to root for, whether it is a small town that is rooting for their local baseball team or an entire nation cheering for their national curling team in the Winter Olympics. Within sports, things such as race or political creed matter little, as only individual and/or team excellence matters. Overall, sports are a tool for social and economic development because of the way it encourages mutual and international cooperation and competition. Some nations want to be the best in the world and use that for political gain, while other nations use their own natural resources in order to help fuel sport-related tourism. The influence of sports is everywhere, and this essay will explore how sports brings communities together, how it brings nations and societies together, and how in turn sports are used to fuel social and economic development.

Sports have traditionally brought people together. An example of this would be regarding Canadian immigrants playing sports, which “… was an important cultural practice for immigrants trying to preserve or create a sense of ethnocultural identity or solidarity” (Joseph 29). Furthermore, in order to help a flagging community of people, research has shown that “… restoring ‘cultural continuity’ is at the heart of the healing process” (Kope, and Arellano 396). In order to fit into the communities that they are trying to integrate to, immigrants would pick up the sports that their new countrymen were playing. If a family immigrated to Canada, perhaps their son or daughter would play hockey or lacrosse. If a family immigrated to America, maybe the family’s children would play football or basketball. The intrinsic need to fit within sort of framework is imbedded within humanity, and sports offer an easy method of integrating into a new environment, as everyone playing a sport shares a common interest.

For instance, in order to help restore that continuity for the Whitefish River First Nation peoples, sports have been suggested in order to help both their youth and community ‘wellbeing’. This is because “… such programs have a long history of structures, purposes, and intentions that became recently within the rhetoric of ‘sport and development and peace’” (Kope, and Arellano 396). Essentially, sports are a tool that can (and should) be used to help foster social growth. If a community is lacking a stabilizing influence, sports are a great solution. Why? Because sports allow people to ignore their own problems. All that matters are playing the selected game and playing to one’s full potential in order to hopefully win.

However, that does not mean that just randomly implementing sports into a community equals instant success. Instead, “… organizations or programs that attempt to use sport as a vehicle to enhance the psychosocial or educational development of youth must plan carefully and consider a large number of factors” (Petitpas et al, 63). This is not just something limited to the First Nations either. For any ethnic group, “sport organizations operated by ethnic community associations provided youth important opportunities for affirming membership within their own ethnic group and for drawing together people from diverse ethnic groups around common sport interests” (Paraschak, and Tirone 95). This is important, as while sports are a great unifier, one cannot just start a program and hope for the best. There must be a plan that is effectively implemented, and there must be individuals who are willing to work towards a shared goal. Without them, while sports are something that everyone is interested in to some extent, there must be a framework to get the selected sport off the ground.

Sports being a uniting factor is not just limited for men either. Canadian girl’s hockey—something many would not consider a legitimate sport compared to men’s hockey—has gained traction in the last few decades. This is because girl’s hockey has slowly formed a strong community in order to support itself. In 1990, only 8146 girls and women were registered hockey players in Canada while in 2010, 85,624 girls and women were registered hockey players in Canada (Adams, and Leavitt 152). This shows that if there are people willing to work towards a shared goal, even a sport that is initially seen as unappealing will find willing players. Essentially, girls want to play sports, but they will not play if the opportunity is not there.

With getting women involved in sports seeing remarkable success, a study focusing on a racially divided southern U.S. city also showed “… that a genuine partnership between dedicated groups is a successful way of bridging and overcoming differences and creating inter-community wellbeing” (Schulenkorf 3). Basically, if a community is invested in something that is inherently good, such as organized sports, this is a much better thing then allowing real-life problems to dominate every second of people’s lives. In a sense, sports are an ‘off-button’, so to speak. Whenever it gets to be too much, one can easily call together a group of friends to play or watch a sport and forget about the chaos of their day-to-day lives.

As a result of this thinking, special sporting projects have “… been staged to contribute to intergroup togetherness, inclusive social change and local capacity building within and between communities” (Schulenkorf 10). While sports have helped people of different towns and cities build up relations between each other, in recent years it has also been used to great success between different nations.

For nations operating on the international stage “… in recent years, sport has come to be viewed by policy-makers as an increasingly useful tool for advancing a wide range of policies on social welfare and development” (Giulianotti 757). For affluent nations seeking to help other nations that are not quite as successful, sports are a cheap and easy way to invite change that is almost guaranteed to help, rather then the other way around. Sports help people, and it costs little to bring over dozens of soccer balls along with the means to keep producing them to a small town, which simultaneously gives the townspeople a sport to play and the means to potentially support themselves economically.

As such, Sport-for-Development is a relatively new addition to the international lexicon. It is described as a “… means to promote education, health, development and peace” (Burnett 1192). Since its introduction, global networking for sports has skyrocketed, with over 166 programs listed in The International Platform on Sport for Development (Burnett 1192). This is not just a government funded series of operations either: “… Nike… has invested $100 million in the last two years, pledging another $315 million to community-based sports initiatives worldwide” (Burnett 1193). While it is great publicity to be seen helping people in need, Nike and other large companies would not involve themselves and their money if it was not an effective tactic. If one is a policy-maker trying to find a way to invoke meaningful change, sports are a great solution because it involves everyone, from the players to the spectators. If your town’s soccer team is playing against another local town, it produces a comradery as everyone is cheering towards completing a specific goal. Without that goal, that comradery does not exist and may never exist. It gives people a reason to come together and celebrate with each other.

As such, when any nation, struggling or not, decides to initiate “… sport and sport-based economic activities, it is possible to initiate a ‘virtuous circle’ in which new forms of activity are generated… creating jobs and contributing to economic development” (Sport As A Tool For Development And Peace: Towards Achieving The United Nations Millennium Development Goals, 11). If a nation decides that they like a specific sport, say soccer, then it can revolutionize a whole nation’s thinking. To give a brief example, first a nation must create the soccer courts for the players to play. Then the soccer shoes, shin pads, and other clothing needs to be produced. Then the players themselves are needed, as well as the coaches to train them. Overall, an entire economic cycle can be created revolving around one sport which did not exist before, especially for the poorer countries.

As already stated, while sports have been used to help build up nations, they have also been used to help facilitate peace as well. For instance, the program Football for Peace (F4P) is a project that aims to improve relations between “… societies in conflict” (Schulenkorf, and Sugden 238). However, it is not just peace that it can be used for. Instead, sports can be used for political gain that can in turn incite great economic and political change.

North and South Korea prove that sports can be both a social, economic, and political tool. The two nations, founded in 1948, used sports in order to prove that their nations were superior to the other in every shape or form. This went back and forth in various competitions and meetings until South Korea put the contest to rest by hosting the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea’s capitol. The event was “… a major factor in South Korea’s emergence on the world stage… [and] truly marked the end of inter-Korean competition for legitimacy” (Merkel 31). At this point, the world realized that with South Korea able to host the Olympics effectively—something North Korea could not do—South Korea was the Korea that they should continue to work with and make connections with, both on an economic and political level.

The United States is much the same in recognizing the potential strength of sport as a political and economic tool. This is because “globally, the sports sector is valued at USD 36 billion and is predicted to expand by 3 to 5% per year” (Sport As A Tool For Development And Peace: Towards Achieving The United Nations Millennium Development Goals, 10). This includes manufacturing sporting goods, services relating to sports, building and maintaining infrastructure, hosting sporting events, and any other revenue accumulated through the media, sponsors, vendors, or spectators interacting with different sports. (Sport As A Tool For Development And Peace: Towards Achieving The United Nations Millennium Development Goals, 10). This is a reality that many do not realize, because while sports are valuable in of themselves, the industries that appear to support them are perhaps just as (or even more) valuable.

This is shown by the statistic that economically, “… tourism and travelling is expected to grow by five percent each year up to 2020; the forecast for sports tourism is ten percent each year” (Weed 1). Interestingly, Mike Weed states that sport tourism can vary between singular sports and inter-personal sports, where it can range from a “… formal or informal… activity” (Weed 2). This makes sense, as if one wants to climb Mount Everest, for example, one must pay for the privilege of being able to climb the mountain, as well as all other needed things such as supplies and guides.

For Nepal, Mount Everest “… directly generated 487,500 jobs… representing 3.5 percent of the total employment in the country” (‘Nepal Tourism Generated 487K Direct Jobs In 2014’). This shows that sports in any shape or form can be of great economic help to a nation. Without Mount Everest, hundreds of thousands of people would be without jobs in Nepal. That is a loss one could not take lightly, even in a more developed nation. Without Mount Everest and the sports enthusiasts traveling to Nepal and injecting money into their economy, Nepal would be in a much poorer state overall, which could be easily said for all nations that are invested in sports to some degree, as sports are increasing linked to the world on a social, economic, and politic level.

Sports are the great unifier. Sports allow people to compete over a contest that is not anything other then something remotely related to real-life problems. This is because sports encourage harmony and cooperation amongst one’s peers. Without sports, the world would be a far lesser place, as it is a gently guiding influence in a world that sorely needs it. Sports can give anyone, whether they are from a nation of great affluence or not, a chance to improve themselves, which is why it is used so often as a tool for social and economic development. With sports, anyone can participate, even if they are not the ones playing the sport. After all, for a sport to succeed there must be spectators, and without spectators there are no sponsors or companies willing to invest in the sport. As such, sports are a tool for social and economic development because of the way it encourages mutual and international cooperation, along with healthy competition. It encourages a snowball effect of support in a way that is essentially impossible to stop once truly started, which is good, because the unifying nature of sports is a truly great thing for our increasingly self-reliant world.

Works Cited

1. ‘Nepal Tourism Generated 487K Direct Jobs In 2014’. Kathmandupost, 2015, http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2015-03-31/nepal-tourism-generated-487k-direct-jobs-in-2014.html.
2. Adams, Carly, and Stacey Leavitt. ‘‘It’s Just Girls’ Hockey’: Troubling Progress Narratives In Girls’ And Women’s Sport’. International Review For The Sociology Of Sport, vol 53, no. 2, 2016, pp. 152.
3. Burnett, Cora. ‘Engaging Sport-For-Development For Social Impact In The South African Context’. Sport In Society, vol 12, no. 9, 2009, pp. 1192-93.
4. Giulianotti, Richard. ‘The Sport, Development And Peace Sector: A Model Of Four Social Policy Domains’. Journal Of Social Policy, vol 40, no. 04, 2011, pp. 757.
5. Joseph, Janelle. Race And Sport In Canada. Canadian Scholars’ Press, 2012, p. 29.
6. Kope, Jared, and Alexandra Arellano. ‘Resurgence And Critical Youth Empowerment In Whitefish River First Nation’. Leisure/Loisir, vol 40, no. 4, 2016, pp. 396. Informa UK Limited, doi:10.1080/14927713.2016.1269293.
7. Merkel, Udo. ‘Sport As A Foreign Policy And Diplomatic Tool’. Routledge Handbook Of Sport And Politics, Alan Bairner et al., 1st ed., Routledge, 2016, p. 31.
8. Paraschak, Victoria, and Susan Tirone. ‘Ethnicity And Race In Canadian Sport’. Social Dimensions Of Canadian Sport And Physical Activity, Jane Crossman and Jay Scherer, 1st ed., Pearson Canada, 2014, p. 95.
9. Petitpas, Albert J. et al. ‘A Framework For Planning Youth Sport Programs That Foster Psychosocial Development’. The Sport Psychologist, vol 19, no. 1, 2005, pp. 63.
10. Schulenkorf, Nico. ‘Sustainable Community Development Through Sport And Events: A Conceptual Framework For Sport-For-Development Projects’. Sport Management Review, vol 15, no. 1, 2012, pp. 3-10.
11. Schulenkorf, Nico, and John Sugden. ‘Sport For Development And Peace In Divided Societies: Cooperating For Inter-Community Empowermentin Israel’. European Journal For Sport And Society, vol 8, no. 4, 2011, pp. 238.
12. Sport As A Tool For Development And Peace: Towards Achieving The United Nations Millennium Development Goals. UN Inter-Agency Task Force On Sport For Development Of Peace, pp. 10-11, https://www.un.org/sport2005/resources/task_force.pdf.
13. Weed, Mike. ‘Sports Tourism And The Development Of Sports Events’. 2006, p. 1-2.

Abstract

The title of my research rotates around the latest trend to catch on to the sports loving Indian i.e. Fantasy Sports. India is a vast nation with the second highest population in the world and let’s not forget that majority of this population is the youth. Majority of this population eats, sleeps and drinks Cricket and now even other sports. Majority of this population is tech- savvy and has access to the latest gadgets. Majority of this population has access to one of the cheapest Internet in the world. They are aware of what’s happening across the globe. More so they have an opinion on everything be it sports or politics. Social Media has made them more outspoken and they express their views more freely. The society in our country has moved from single wage-earning families to dual earning families and this has led to the increase in the spending Power and standard of Living of an average Indian. So, what if their urge to opinionate couples with their passion for sports. The icing on the cake would be if they could earn a quick buck out of this too. This is where Fantasy Sports fits in.

Introduction

There is a very famous saying in India that only two things sell in India, Cricket and Bollywood movies. But things are changing today and more so the horizon is expanding. Regional and International Content are also getting their due in movies. Language is no longer a barrier. Its no longer odd to see your neighbourhood watchman watching the latest English flick dubbed in his regional language and loving it. The same is the case with sports. India is a vast country with a huge amalgamation of cultures. Cricket surely holds its strong position, but other sports also are slowly catching steam. With the huge success of the money-spinning cricket league “IPL”, other sports too have followed suit with leagues in football and Kabaddi being big promoters for the sport. This has really helped these sports to grow beyond their catchment areas like Football in West Bengal. Also, today’s Indian youth surely knows more than a bit of the English Premier League and the F1 car racing thanks to the tremendous growth in multimedia and easy access to information.

Today sports is a hot topic of discussion, other than politics. Everybody is a coach; everybody is a player. Discussions range from they should have picked x player in the team to they should have attacked that way; the list is endless. Betting on Sports except horse racing is illegal in India but unofficial bets have been there since ages may it be among friends to colleagues. People are very superstitious too when it comes to sport which adds to the fun. The only element missing till now was to make this passive enthusiasm active; make sports lovers more involved, more participative and if this comes with an incentive than even better. That is where fantasy sports takes the cake.

Fantasy Sports

What is it?

In Fantasy sports, users can create their own teams in various sports by choosing players across participating teams in that match and compete with others forming their own teams. It is unlike any other game. It’s not just about the performance of the player or playing teams but it’s a game of knowledge and strategy of the user. He /she should be aware of each individual player and his/her traits along with following the team’s performance, the ground, history and multiple other factors. He/she needs to be updated of the regular happenings and manage budgets while choosing his/her team. He/she needs to be at it everyday or whenever the matches are played as one miss may drop his/her ranking in the table amongst other users.

Fantasy Sports Industry in India

Fantasy sports industry in India is at a very nascent stage but progressing in the right direction. The number of users has increased over the years, but the revenue has not increased at the same pace. It will yet take a long time before it becomes a profitable model. It is already a very profitable business proposition globally.

It is perhaps the best way to keep the users actively hooked on to the sport. It is a unique experience for the Indian sports fan. Indians today have access to cheap and fast data today thanks to companies like Jio. An average Indian is today migrating to a smart phone very fast. This has boosted growth of Fantasy Sports in India. Dual income households leading to more spendable income and people looking at secondary sources of income has also provided tremendous boost to this industry. The emergence of super successful leagues like I.P.L (Cricket), leagues in Kabaddi, Badminton and Football to name a few, have increased the interest of people towards a variety of sports. Today leagues are considering Fantasy sports as a brilliant method to cross promote the sport or league. This has led to the development of many official fantasy leagues related to sports events and is a win-win situation for all the parties, the sports organisers, the fantasy sports creators and the sports fans which makeup the target base for both.

Fantasy sports are making the unofficial bets and predictions official. Also, they keep coming up with innovative formats and methods to enhance the user experience and increase his/her involvement. The user enjoys the game or sport even more as he/she is competing with real users and there is a lot at stake.

Another factor to keep in mind is that in team sports, minor tournaments have a cascading effect on the major tournaments. So, to get a complete idea about the player or teams’ performance, form, the user ends up playing fantasy sports even during the smaller tournaments leading to the major ones. They help the user to understand the nuances of the sport, teams and game better.

Monetizing the Model

Monetizing has always been an issue in online gaming industry in India. Internationally users are open to spending on apps, games and technology. But India is a very price conscious market. The users are not that open for spending on games. Also, if there are no monetary benefits for the user then he/she will also lose interest very fast. Therefore, companies have started using a different business model. In the freemium model, trial or initial practice games are offered free of charge to consumers but if they want to participate in important matches and reap big benefits then they are offered more benefits at a cost. The initial freebies are used to train people in terms of how to play the game and gives first timers time to hone their skills. Credits earned in the trial sections can also be used to gain discounts and offers in the paid ones.

Majority of fantasy players enjoy the game for free. More than half of users have played cash games at least once in a year. Major of the spends are re-investments that came from previous winnings, cash bonus or periodical promotions given on these platforms. It is a safe and structured investment medium. Increased availability of spendable income and higher standard of living have also contributed to the same.

Another method of monetizing the model is in app purchases. In this model, the game is offered free but major amounts are earned by in app purchases which sets the ball rolling. A very successful model in the west but may not be completely successful in the Indian market.

The third method of monetizing the fantasy sports is by introducing advertisements and offers in the online fantasy game leagues. In this method, the game is free but there are advertisements at the beginning, during and/or after the game. There are many advantages for advertisers in this medium. Firstly, advertisers can get a niche, focussed, captive target audience unlike Television and OOH. Secondly as the user base increases, it becomes more and more profitable medium for the advertisers. Thirdly it acts as a direct of shoot of the game unlike other mediums which gives them access to active users during the game.

Social media has played a major role in pushing this growth as it has led to people discussing about various sports and being aware of the happenings even when they are busy at work. So many are following the game on digital platforms.

Flipside

Fantasy sports are not all rosy. They have their set of issues too. Fantasy sports are played on top of real games, so when live real matches are not on so the user is not interested in the fantasy games. This creates the issue of seasonality. All sports are not played throughout the year and major events in sports take place once in a year or once in 2-4 years which again adds on to the problem of seasonality. Also, when India is playing a sport, the fans are fully behind their team but when India is not playing or for sports where India does not play, the interest is limited. The interest towards mock games is very low.

Conclusion

Fantasy Sports are here to stay. Its yet early days in India but looking at the way it has caught the user’s fantasy, it surely has a bright future. The biggest challenge for all online gaming companies is how to monetize the model as India is a very complicated and cost sensitive market. Another challenge for them is to keep the users hooked for long times and all around the year. But with more and more sports leagues coming up in India and each one of them turning out to be a money spinner, fantasy sports played on top of those games are bound to be successful. Innovation, creativity and incentives are going to be the keys for this industry in the days to come.

References

1. The Indian Federation of Sports Gaming (IFSG) and KPMG (2019). The evolving landscape of sport gaming in India.
2. Panjari, S. (n.d.). In-depth: How online fantasy sports is becoming a major business in India. Retrieved from https://bestmediainfo.com/2019/04/in-depth-how-online-fantasy-sports-is-becoming-a-major-business-in-india/
3. Fantasy-Sports-App-Development. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/codiant-3498802-fantasy-sports-app-development/
4. Daileda, C., & Daileda, C. (2013, September 29). More Than a Game: The Disruptive Force of Fantasy Football. Retrieved from https://mashable.com/2013/09/29/fantasy-football/?europe=true
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Introduction

Sports has become a multi billion money making industry which has extended to every part of the world and involves a huge number of human resources associated with it and hence, it is bound to have clashes, conflict of interests, disputes, harms, losses, injuries, violation of rights etc. both on and off the court and the playing field. So, here comes the question as to how would you tackle the above mentioned problems and give solutions to it. So, here to solve these problems there must be sports laws present for the same. Also, when the sports industry has grown so much all over the world and is still growing beyond expectations in many parts of the world and so there must be laws for sports and its governance like any other laws that we have. So, now here comes the problem that many countries throughout the world have enacted their own legislations for sports, but there are still others who haven’t and India is one such country amongst these.

India in the past has formulated the National Sports Policy in 1984 and 2002, National Sports Development Bill 2013, National Sports Ethics Commission Bill 2016, etc. but then there is no proof as to these coming into practice and being followed which is said to be totally in the negative. Sports is a state subject under entry 33 of the Indian Constitution but till date it hasn’t been found helpful. So, when there is no separate sports law in India even when it is much urgently required, the sports related disputes and matters are sorted out by placing it under different laws according to their nature and circumstances like the Law of Torts, Contracts, Intellectual Property Rights, Criminal Laws, Competition Law, etc. and by doing so the purpose of sports and matters related to it has never been fulfilled.

You cannot place a subject or different branch of law under various other laws and legislations but need to enact oe for its separate and independent functioning.

Hindrances in the field of sports – way for separate sports law

Now lets see the various problems in the field of sports which will make you realise that there is an immediate dire to enact a separate legislation for sports in India.

· As India being a densely populated country, even when we have established laws for various other branches still we are not getting success in it and also there are lots of cases pending in the courts, the violation of laws and rights of people still continues and so the people of the nation and their interests are not served and taken care of properly, so what do you think that when in such a big country and such a big industry of sports , where we don’t have any laws only then how would it function properly or the interests of the sportspersons would be looked upon or would the aims of sports be achieved. Also, when there is an inability of the courts to function well how would sports related cases be solved on an urgent basis in the absence of this legislations. It has also happened many a times that while the sportspersons are having their cases going on in the courts, but the judiciary is not able to perform independently and takes a lot of time to decide the case, either the competition gets over or the career of the sportspersons is affected badly. Also, when a country like India is a victim of corruption and dirty politics and also it doesn’t want to get rid of this, how would the clean and innocent sportsperson be able to survive.

• When the sports governing bodies are given autonomy of power, they forget all their goals and visions for which they are set up and given autonomy, but misuse their power and are maladministered.
• The politics and corruption in sports leads to politicians being part of the policy making and administration wing of these governing bodies, rather than persons having education, qualifications and experience in the said field should be made a part of it.
• Also, when we talk about betting and gambling in sports, there must be a law to govern these because in its absence, this issue is being tackled by local laws for betting and gambling n various states which are not uniformly made and hence, hamper the interests of people interested in betting and gambling.
• When the issue of gender discrimination is to be looked into then without said legislation the problems like equal pay and treatment for both male and female athletes, transgender athletes are to be involved or not etc. cannot be answered.
• The sports governing bodies and National Sports Federations are not working properly and are intransparent, unaccountable and are full of bad politics and corruption.
• The issue of match-fixing whether to be made legal or illegal is a problem.
• In the era of e-world, e-gaming and e-sports has been playing a major role and so when we even don’t have law for the offline mode of sports and gaming or on court sports how and when will the issue of e-sport be solved.

Conclusion

There, is an urgent dire for the enactment of distinct sports law in India as there are lt many issues which are to be answered and also these issues are there since a longtime and not just which have emerged in a day or two. What is the government doing for this and then expecting and taunting National Sports Federations and coaches for not winning medals at the international level. To achieve big and to compete at the international level and to be at par with other athletes from all over the world you need to be one step ahead of them which is possible when you have proper resources and proper support from your own country which can be done if we have a separate sports law in India which is to be enacted and the sports sector is free from corruption and politics and the government gets rid of these we can achieve big and do wonders.

Also, the mindset of all of us is to be changed from ‘I’ to ‘WE’.

Sports being an industry with lot many career options and opportunities the government has to take steps to aware people and students regarding various options in the field of sports and also sports law is a different branch of law wherein people can specialize and later on practice sports law , but this can only happen when we have a law for sports.

So, the solutions to all the problems that we have discussed through this article and before the other issues pop up which are on their way, India must have a separate distinct law for sports in the country.

Suggestions

We must have a separate court or tribunal to solve sports cases . so this would dispose off and solve cases in a quicker way and more efficiently.

• If the sports governing bodies are to be given autonomy of power then for that they must be given a proper set of rules which are to be followed, failing which they will be punished or penalized and all these sports governing bodies and National Sports Federations must be brought under one umbrella.
• Stricter punishments must be made for the violators and the one who play politics and use corruption as a way to enter into the sports bodies .
• The constitution of sports governing bodies must be made properly and its election must be done in a very proper and strict manner.
• The government must make sports an integral part of the curriculum at schools as well as university levels and also proper guidelines for the same must be laid down and the government must make arrangements for the talent identification of sportspersons and help them find a proper path in their interested area. If the government performs this function well with out any bias it will be able to achieve its dreams of podium finish at the international level.
• The enacted law should mention the punishments for the wrongdoers as well as mention the ways in which speedy justice can be awarded and must be made in a simple way wherein the sports persons and there coacher and managers,etc. are able to understand it and not be made very complicated .
• The aspect of e-sports and cyber crimes associated with it are to be looked into carefully and taken care of.
• Also, the government must either make laws which help the athletes or directly help the athlete whenever in need and also when if the athlete needs to go the Court for Arbitration in Sports (CAS).
• A proper code of ethics and code of conduct is to be laid down which is to be followed by all sportspersons, coaches, managers, referees, etc.
• To enact a sports law wherein all the issues and problems are answered in a way understandable to all and helpful to all.

Introduction:

Provo Beach Club is a popular entertainment venue located in Provo, Utah. It offers a range of activities, including a ropes course, bowling, arcade games, and a simulated indoor beach experience. While Provo Beach Club has gained popularity among locals and visitors, it is essential to critically examine its features, customer experience, and societal impact to understand its strengths and weaknesses fully.

Atmosphere and Activities:

Provo Beach Club boasts a vibrant and lively atmosphere, with a variety of activities to cater to different age groups. The simulated indoor beach is particularly unique, offering visitors a chance to enjoy a beach-like experience regardless of the season. The ropes course and bowling alley also provide interactive and engaging entertainment options. These activities undoubtedly contribute to the club’s appeal and draw a diverse range of patrons.

Customer Experience:

While Provo Beach Club offers a range of activities, the overall customer experience can be a mixed bag. One aspect that stands out is the long wait times for popular attractions. During peak hours, visitors often find themselves waiting in line for extended periods, leading to frustration and a potential decrease in satisfaction. Furthermore, some patrons have reported issues with the maintenance and cleanliness of certain areas, which can negatively impact the overall experience.

Pricing and Accessibility:

The pricing structure at Provo Beach Club can be a cause for concern. Some visitors find the cost of activities and food to be higher than expected, which may limit accessibility for individuals or families on a tight budget. The club could benefit from offering more affordable options or discounted packages to make the experience more inclusive and accessible to a broader range of customers.

Societal Impact:

Provo Beach Club has both positive and negative societal impacts. On one hand, it serves as a gathering place for families, friends, and community members, fostering social connections and creating memorable experiences. It also contributes to the local economy by generating employment opportunities. However, critics argue that the club promotes excessive consumerism and materialistic values, emphasizing entertainment and leisure over more meaningful activities or community engagement.

Safety and Security:

Ensuring the safety and security of visitors is crucial for any entertainment venue. Provo Beach Club has implemented safety measures such as trained staff and equipment inspections. However, some customers have expressed concerns about the supervision and enforcement of safety rules, particularly on the ropes course and in the arcade area. Strengthening these aspects and maintaining a vigilant approach to safety is essential for providing a secure environment for all visitors.

Conclusion:

Provo Beach Club offers a diverse range of activities and an energetic atmosphere, attracting a wide range of patrons. While it provides entertainment and leisure opportunities, there are areas that require improvement. Long wait times, pricing concerns, and issues related to cleanliness and safety should be addressed to enhance the overall customer experience. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the societal impact of such entertainment venues and strike a balance between leisure and more meaningful community engagement. By critically examining these aspects, Provo Beach Club can continue to evolve and provide a more satisfying and inclusive experience for its customers.

I have always been tired and tired, and for such a reason I had been down in mood. I was tired of sleeping, so it was hard to do well. Maybe there is a problem somewhere in the body. Thyroid function is decreased, or it may have been a disease, I was worried about going to the hospital, but the body said that there is no abnormality. Even after I went to the hospital, my body was always helpless. I did not even know what the cause was, I ate a clone of blood and I went to a hot spring but it did not seem to have a big effect. Tired and helpless. When I was at work, I was very late and even absent. The problem was not normal.

The problem also overlapped in my mind.

As this condition persisted, social activities and human relationships became difficult, and I had problems in my mind. Depression and anxiety have soared. Especially during the winter months when the weather began to get colder and more persistent throughout the winter. It was always full of emptiness, so even if you did something, depression, and anxiety did not disappear easily. Then the more I was buried in the bed, I had to stay helpless. I was still tired and helpless. Some of you recommended walking. He told me to walk a lot in the sun. Some also told me to go hiking every day. However, it was difficult to put into practice somehow, so a lot of time passed.

No more! I had to come to a time to do it. It is beyond despair and anxiety that we are in desperate and desperate circumstances. Now that I think about it, I was thinking that I wanted to die, so I could say that the health of my mind really reached its worst condition.

I kicked my blanket and started walking.

Then I kicked off the futon and began to wander. At first, however, my condition was not good enough to be rested every five minutes. My mind was going to collapse so it was very hard to continue walking constantly. My body and mind were out of physical strength, so I walked for about 30 minutes and I thought I would not be able to walk more in this condition. And the next day after I walked, I was tired twice, so I had to give up trying to give up. I do not have time to walk on many days, but because I do not have the energy, I came back home by taxi. The day I walked for more than 10 minutes was small enough to be in my hand.

One day I looked back at my life pattern and found that I was continuing my life through the door and door. I opened the car door, and when I reached the destination, I opened the car door and went straight through the elevator door to the front door. It took me 20 minutes to get all the walking time together, and I was hurried to walk properly because I was always in a hurry, staring at my smartphone or eating something.

I walked around if I could, and I decided to move on a bicycle a little bit longer. At first, as I said before, I became very tired and very tired. This was not a problem to be solved by changing mindset. Because I did not walk straight.

I changed my walking posture.

The correct walking posture is very important.

First, I decided to change my walking posture. It was easier than I thought when I studied for proper walking. Walking 4 times, you can look forward 2 or 30 meters ahead and walk naturally. It was not easy to walk with care, but I soon got used to it, and it became fun to walk and to feel the vitality rising. Amazing change is now beginning. The sleep has improved and the quality of the sleep has improved so that it never breaks. Then chronic fatigue disappeared. And the depression and anxiety disappeared. I also tried various walks. Walking in the forest, walking in the mountains, walking in the sea, and of course, walking in the city. I emphasize again, that the right walking posture is very important.

I was surprised by the results of walking.

I had a little special experiment in one hospital. It was a 20-minute walk to a depressed young man. In the hospital, I tried to see the changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves through this experiment. Prior to walking, the sympathetic nerves were much higher and the parasympathetic nerves were lower. In other words, the sympathetic nervous system which shows excitement and stress is high, but the parasympathetic nervous system which relieves it is very low, and the stress index of this young man is very high. However, after walking for 20 minutes, the sympathetic nerves were lowered and the parasympathetic nerves were increased and balanced. It’s medical proof that walking is helpful in treating depression.

There is another marvel of walking. In France and Belgium, we have conducted a walking tour program for juvenile inmates, and we have achieved positive results. Some who suffered from thyroid dysfunction, after practicing walking for 30 minutes a day, said their health improved noticeably. People who suffered from various diseases are reported to have received a wonderful result that their condition was improved or cured by walking alone.

To protect the health that I want to keep more healthily,

Walking is possible.

I have said that health is a careful body and mind. If you associate with walking, I think that there are many illnesses that do not walk. Sometimes we often get information about diseases that do not walk properly, do not walk a lot, and often do not walk. In other words, you can recover your worsened health by walking, but it also means that you can walk through your health to keep it healthier.

30 minutes a day, Take time to walk for me.

Of course, it is not easy to walk constantly and constantly every day. Our lives are so busy and our hearts are always busy. But it is not so hard to have time for me to walk for 30 minutes a day. There is a way to get off at one stop when you get home, and there is a way to walk a little earlier. It’s a walk for health.

Now, let’s walk right now.

First, spread your chest wide, and fix your eyes 30 meters in front of you. The stride is about 15 degrees. First, the heel touches the ground and the entire foot touches the ground. The pelvis is recommended to move slightly up and down. It is very important that you do not see or eat anything at this time. If you walk while taking care of your walking posture, you will often get blisters no matter how long you walk. And I get better posture and become free from all kinds of pain. Even psychological stability can be obtained.

Happiness that you can feel when you walk is a privilege only for those who walk. Do not miss this.

We are indeed living in a society that is very annoying to walk into. Machines that encourage this are spread all over the place, and the convenience of transportation makes a short distance feel far away. In the meantime, we keep leaning, crouching, becoming tired and helpless. But we have room to change it through good choices. It is a walk. Happiness that you can feel when you walk is a privilege only for those who walk, so you do not want to miss it. One step, the joy of experiencing a small change in one step. Surprisingly, walking is healthy soon.

Healing and meditation musician, 2-dong residents.

Since his experience with blowing all his property in dentistry, he has been working hard to toothbrush, floss, and brush his teeth, and he has lived less money without going to the dentist. He thinks that it is more important than anything else to be able to change the vicious cycle to a virtuous cycle, which is to live a preventive life rather than a treatment-oriented life.