While Western theology (i.e., Catholic philosophy) has always been suious of the leisure pursuits of the mes, Eastern philosophical systems have long regarded physical activities as one acceptable method of achieving union with the divine. See Herrigel's introducion to the concept of "the arrow that is not aimed" in Zen and the Art of Archery. This describes, to my mind, the explanation behind a Michael Jordan jump shot or a Randy Stoklos spike. The original martial arts of China, such as Gung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan, were practiced as middle density meditations of the Outer Way, a meditation of the body in which a trained physical form forces the mind and spirit toward its proper, divine channel. C.f. hatha yoga in this regard.