SPORTS CULTURE: CHARACTERISTICS AND ELEMENTS - ARTE - 2025

The sporting culture is a social link through which a group is identified with a sports - related activity. Generally it is the nexus between people of different ideologies, political and religious tendencies and even of different educational levels.

When it comes to sporting issues, classisms are in the background. This is affirmed because, although the person is an athlete or a mere spectator, sport is undeniably a massive phenomenon. Everything raised is reflected in sports shows.

These shows represent for all involved, whether they are athletes or not, spaces for cultural creation and dissemination. In this sense, they are also a reflection of the social environment in which they have been created and developed throughout history.

To properly establish a definition of the expression "sports culture" it is important to go back to the etymology of the two words that make up this term, because each one is accompanied by a specific context and only by relating them to each other can a well-founded approach be made.

What is culture?

In Latin, "culture" means "to cultivate, to till, to tend or to keep." In the mid-fourteenth century this word began to be used as "cultivation through education". Later he was associated with social and collective ideas and customs.

So, culture is a set of beliefs, knowledge, ideas, behaviors, customs, symbols, habits and practices of a person, within their family and social group.

These elements are generally learned over time, transmitted from one generation to another through social experiences.

There are certain aspects of culture that are more identifiable than others, such as the way people speak or dress. However, there are other qualities that are less noticeable and that only become noticeable when the social environment is carefully considered.

What is sport?

Originally, the word “sport” comes from the Latin deportare, which means “to carry or move something out of the city”. Over time its meaning was changing, associating with recreation or fun. Finally he reached the current conception, which defines it as games and physical exercises for entertainment.

Sport is an activity present in all cultures. It is the individual or group, informal or regulated practice of physical exercise. It can have different objectives such as recreation, the search for health or professional purposes.

There are also other activities that, although they require more mental than physical exercise, as in the case of chess, are still taken as sports.

And it is that just as there are multiple learning styles according to tastes and abilities, there are sports for all preferences; many are closely linked to individual or collective identity and culture.

In any case, sport goes beyond physical activity itself. It contemplates social fronts so varied that they have given it cultural dimensions deeply rooted in the daily life of world society.

What is understood by sports culture?

As mentioned above, culture is global, a single fact with many facets. One of these facets is that which involves sport as a social phenomenon, which in many cases moves large masses of the population. That's when you can talk about sports culture.

Sports culture is given by two factors, one social and the other educational. Through these, human development is shaped from the bodily interaction of individuals in a specific environment.

It is essential to understand that sport is born in society and is directed towards it. One of the advantages of practicing sports is that if a person wishes to participate in a sports team, or if they intend to join one, they will adopt the norms and behaviors of the group.

Sport as a social activity facilitates the skills and growth of the athlete in the individual and group context. This allows you to assume and understand social values ​​and attitudes. Likewise, it is a resource that teaches citizens to get involved and participate effectively within their community.

In this regard, sports culture bridges the gap between individuals or social groups. It also acts as a link for social change and reinforces individual training.

Sports factors

Within sport there are certain factors that deserve to be considered as fundamental in order to determine the level of attention that this activity receives in society.

Degree of competition in society

Sport promotes the establishment of ties that allow people to identify themselves within a group. This is done at different levels, such as local, regional or national.

Furthermore, this is taken as a great advantage from the point of view of public and political interests within a population.

Degree of organizational complexity

The vast majority of sports have been used as teaching, inclusion and even rehabilitation tools.

This has been done in different types of organizations: from schools and universities to hospitals and prisons. It is also used in different study systems, both formal and informal.

Exercise value

One of the basic reasons why sport should be taken into account in any type of institution or community is the guarantee of well-being and health, both individually and collectively. In this sense, much has been researched and verified in the scientific field.

Elements of sports culture

Playful element

This characteristic has always accompanied humans. One of the main forms of learning during the first years of life is play.

Practicing it allows the person to get closer to reality to understand it. It also makes it easier to get used to adult responsibilities and communicate better with others.

Agonistic element

One way to promote the instinct for improvement in the person is through competitiveness. This practice is beneficial as long as it is well directed when starting a sporting activity. Experiencing competition through sport is a way to prepare for the environment and social adversities.

Regulating element

In every sport there are norms and rules that determine the proper performance of the activity, as well as in life itself. Without rules, respect and coexistence would be forgotten, within a disorderly and selfish society.

Symbolic element

The symbolism present in sport in general resembles many aspects of reality, since they come from it, whether they are pleasant or not.

Thus, the athlete faces these aspects and prepares himself and those who interact with him to be able to face these situations later.

Importance and effects

Within sports culture in general, on many occasions the important thing is the athlete rather than the sport. In recent times, this fact has been very relevant in the formation of an anti-discrimination culture due to gender, religion, nationality, among others.

This becomes evident when the fans feel great affinity with their team. It is seen strongly when the main players are considered as regional or national heroes.

Many athletes have taken advantage of the fame and prestige they enjoy to make protests or request socio-political demands.

They tend to be associated with conglomerates that fight for the reduction of issues such as racism, the social class gap or the acceptance and inclusion of other cultures.

Sports culture today

Hierarchical structures still exist in sport today. It is the case of thinking that men are the ones who generally play soccer or practice martial arts. Instead, girls are assigned volleyball, swimming, or gymnastics.

Beyond the fact that sport still has a greater inclination towards the male sex, either for leisure or professional work, it is important to emphasize that there is female empowerment in all social fields.

For this reason, the sports world has female representatives in categories that were previously markedly biased.

The struggles for gender equality have motivated many women to be great athletes to break gaps and prejudices.

There is still some sporting discrimination with regard to people with disabilities, as well as in relation to women and with ethnic groups or with particular characteristics of a minority.

However, every day society is assimilating better the fact that these factors do not have to affect sports performance.

Sports culture is constantly being formed based on the behaviors, ideas, customs and traditions of society.

For this reason, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of promoting the values, attitudes and skills necessary for life through sport from childhood.

References

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3. Díaz, A. (2004). Sport as a socio-cultural phenomenon. IV International Congress of Physical Education and Interculturality. University of Murcia. Spain. Recovered from um.es.
4. Davies, L and several. (2015). A review of the social impacts of culture and sport. Project Report. Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Sheffield Hallam University. Recovered from shura.shu.ac.uk.
5. What Works Center. (2014). Evidence Review: Sport and Culture. What Works Center for Local Economic Growth. Recovered from whatworksgrowth.org.