Sport is described as an activity that involves physical movement of the body and engaging it for the purposes of pleasure and physical fitness. Videogames are a sedentary activity that requires only tactile movements, with minimal physical exertion (Kane & Spradley, 2017). Based on that criterion, they cannot be classified as a sport. For that reason, online competitions have been referred to as e-sports. The main aim of sports is to keep the athlete fit, enable them to build muscle and lose fat, boost their mood and provide clarity of the mind. Videogames are known for developing headaches, irritation and grogginess. While some people believe that it should be a sport, the practice is ultimately inhibitive for the individuals engaging in it (Kane & Spradley, 2017). Videogames are considered e-sports as people access them electronically. Videogames are largely considered to be exercises in mental skills and reflexes. Players sitting all day can develop sicknesses associated with idleness like chronic diseases, obesity and diabetes.
Thus, videogames do not fit in the traditional definition of sport. Still, they offer certain benefits for children, which are essential in the 21st century, such as mental development, quick decision-making, and critical thinking (Burton et al., 2021). Kids are supposed to act as swiftly as possible, which develops their minds to take split-second decisions in real life. Videogame-like physical sports connect people through gaming competitions (Burton et al., 2021). Just like sports, videogames are used by researchers to determine how the development of skills occurs in individuals.
In conclusion, video games are not sports, but should be recognized as activities that have benefits just like traditional sports, but limitations as well. Video games deserve to be in their own category, as they are fun and can increase mental wellness. In the future, however, it is possible for videogames to combine virtual reality technology with physical activity, and fostering an evolution in sports.
Reference
Burton. A., Farnand. S., & Gorbounov, S. (2021). Point-counterpoint: Are esports really sports? Web.
Kane, D., & Pradley. B. (2017). Recognizing E-sports as a sport. The Sport Journal. 20(9), 1-10.