Unit 7: English for Sports

Bodies are made to move! They are not designed for sitting around in front of the television or reading magazines. Keeping fit doesn't mean you have to be a super-athlete, and even a little exercise can give you a lot of fun. When you're fit and healthy, you'll find you look better and feel better. You'll have more energy and self-confidence. Every time you move you are exercising. The human body is designed to bend, stretch, run, jump and climb. The more it does, the stronger and fitter it will become. Best of all, exercise is fun. It's what your body likes doing most - keeping on the move.

Extract from an interview with Alberto Martíns who is Technical Director of the International Blind Sports Federation.

There are many reasons for the enormous interest in sport of all kinds, but when you ask people why they spend so much time, effort and sometimes money, they talk about the physical benefits (feeling fit, sleeping better, the chance of living a more active life), the psychological benefits (self-discipline and respect, a sense of personal achievement) and the social advantages (meeting people with similar interests, the team spirit). However, the social aspect seems to be more important for men than for women. Very often, enjoying a drink with friends after the match is as important for men as the activity itself. Women generally see sport as a way of keeping fit.

The healthiest sports are often the cheapest. If you take up jogging, for example, all you need is a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and some trainers. Swimming only costs you the entrance to the pool, although you need to take a swimming costume with you! Sports like football, basketball, judo, and table tennis are not very expensive. But when a sport requires special equipment, or the facilities are far away, it starts to cost more. It's best not to take up skiing if you live in a hot country with no mountains!

Whatever sport you choose, go carefully at first. You can do more harm than good if you try to run a marathon without slow and steady training. Don't forget to spend a few minutes warming up before you start. Look after any injuries, and if you're not feeling well, wait until you get better. You should see your doctor if you're over 35 and have never done much sport. And, above all, choose a sport which you'll enjoy, and not one which just makes you sweat.

The healthiest sports are often the cheapest. If you take up jogging, for example, all you need is a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and some trainers. Swimming only costs you the entrance to the pool, although you need to take a swimming costume with you! Sports like football, basketball, judo, and table tennis are not very expensive.

But when a sport requires special equipment, or the facilities are far away, it starts to cost more. It's best not to take up skiing if you live in a hot country with no mountains!

Whatever sport you choose, go carefully at first. You can do more harm than good if you try to run a marathon without slow and steady training. Don't forget to spend a few minutes warming up before you start. Look after any injuries, and if you're not feeling well, wait until you get better. You should see your doctor if you're over 35 and have never done much sport. And, above all, choose a sport which you'll enjoy, and not one which just makes you sweat.