Sports (or athletic activity) is any form of typically competitive physical activity that, through organized or casual participation, attempt to use, develop or maintain athletic ability and qualities while offering enjoyment to participants, and sometimes, spectators. There are many different kinds of sports. Among the most well-known ones are soccer, American football, Australian rules basketball, rugby, hockey, boxing, track and field, and the numerous European games such as tennis, croquet, table tennis, and the popular swimming competitions. Some of these, like American football and baseball, are part of a long tradition of organized sports, while others like cricket, handball and beach volleyball have become popular as non-organized sports. There are many different styles of play in these sports, though common elements tend to be the use of the feet, legs, and/or bodyweight for support; the throwing or catching of the ball; and the involvement in physical competition. Some sports are more actively competitive than others, requiring a level of skill that often results in competitive matches.

The term “sports” can generally apply to any form of physical exertion, including exercise and athletics, though specific examples of each may vary. Exercise can often be considered the foundation of sports since most sports require some degree of exercise in order to be played. Examples of physical exertion include hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, kayaking, running, basketball, tennis, weightlifting, martial arts, football, baseball, and bicycling.

Exertion, on the other hand, refers to engaging in an activity that requires a large amount of energy from the participant or participants and requires that great control and focus on a variety of activities. Examples of these types of physical activities include bicycling, swimming, tennis, football, ice skating, golf, wrestling, fencing, rowing, sailing, aerobics, running, cycling, and weightlifting. Sports can also be divided into different levels of intensity, which further enables the participant or participants to engage in specific types of physical activities. Competitive sports usually involve an element of skill in order to win, while games of relaxation and leisure are typically played for recreation.