Research In Evolution And Tendency Of Folk Sport In Cities

Sport bears a close relationship with the whole society. During its development, sport relies much on folk culture which exerts subtle influence on people's life. Nowadays, it witnesses an increase of research on the folk sport. As we know, urban development is closely associated with the progress of human civilization, reflecting the development level of both human society and human being. Urban development also depicts the production, accumulation and spread of human's material and mental wealth. In view of this, the research into the evolution of folk sport in unban areas has its rationale since it can reflect the level of urban development and provide guidance for proceeding the folk sport in those areas.By employing the methods of literature review, survey and logic reasoning, the present study explores the concept, characteristics and function of the folk sport. Based on a systemic analysis of the evolution and proceeding work of the folk sport in China's cities, the author predicts the tendency of development of the folk sport in urban China. The findings are listed as follows:1. Folk sport is a kind of sport form shared and inherited by people within certain areas and it develops from folk activities and folk life. Folk sport can educate people and improve people's health condition and enhance individual's social function.2. Folk sport began in Xia Shang and Xi Zhou period and developed tremendously in Spring and Autumn period due to rapid expanding of urban areas and prosperous economy. Folk sport in Spring and Autumn period had rich forms and content, and sustained development during Qin Han and Three Kingdoms period.3. During Two Chin Dynasties, constant wars and division impaired the development of folk sport which mostly proceeded itself only in the upper class rather than in the civilians.4. During Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, due to the expanding of cities and variety of layout, folk sport gained a rapid development by transmitting from the folk to the upper class rather than from upper class to the folk.5. From the beginning of 21 century to the nation was liberated, thanks to the support of education department of the government as well as the acceleration of urbanization, folk sport began to form a scale and enhance competition, in spite of the unrest in China at that time. However, from the beginning of establishment of the nation to China's reform and opening-up, folk sport developed slowly and there was limited record of its proceeding in urban areas.6. Since China's reform and opening-up, folk sport has gained a more active form and entered into the folk's daily life and been inherited not merely through custom and festivals.7. Urban development provides folk sport with material foundation, whereas the prevalence of folk sport enriches the culture of city. Folk sport is expected to follow three main trends, to illustrate, the transformation and integrity of tradition and fashion, the reconstruction and reproduction in both region and nation, and the combination of polarization and competition.