What does health mean in sports? : An Approach based on the Theory of P. Weiss

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to make clear the meaning of health in sports from the viewpoint of the performance of athletes.

It is often said that sports are good for health. This idea is based on the physiological effect of exercise. However, the effect means only the condition of the body through“exercise." In other words, it is considered that health is the condition of the body through moderate exercise. Sports, however, are played in excess of the moderate amount of exercise.

According to an American philosopher Paul Weiss, a man possessing all the essential factors in a vital unity and the usable power to act properly is in good health. He also says that tactics consisting of Judgment, Rules, Decisiveness, Control, Rhythm, and Flexibility are essential to a fine performance. Using his definition of health and the essential factors in performance, it could be said that health in sports means the condition of the man who possesses the components of tactics in a vital unity and makes use of them properly. Although this kind of health condition is only one dimension of health, it has a significant roll to play. The reason is that such a condition, as Weiss says, offers one step toward the state of being a completely-healthy man.

It is necessary to clarify the difference in health between sports and the other fields and define the meaning of health in sports relatively. Health in sports should be totally understood in relation to health in the others.