Playing sports as a child or adolescent has obvious benefits on physical health. However it also greatly affects different aspects of external and internal development. Being active and participating in athletic activities can help develop children into healthier kids physically and mentally, while helping build healthy habits and resilience which they can apply to adulthood.
There are a multitude of different physical benefits in being physically active as a child. Some benefits include stronger cardiovascular fitness, which improves heart health, stronger muscles and bones, and a decrease in disease later in life, such as diabetes and heart disease. Sports also improve different motor skills such as walking, jumping and running. These skills can increase coordination, balance, and joint health; all of which become very important later on in life.
Participating in sports can also help children with their diet and help prevent obesity. According to Donna Markel from the Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, “Organized sports have been shown to assist in breaking the vicious cycle of inactivity and unhealthy lifestyle by improving caloric expenditure, increasing time spent away from entertainment media, and minimizing unnecessary snacking.”
A lesser known benefit of recreational sports is the mental and emotional health benefits. Sports are inherently entertaining and attractive to people and kids. Learning and playing sports from a young age build healthy ways to release dopamine which can help translate to different decisions and actions later in life. Many children are able to relieve stress and anxiety through the use of sports, whether it is watching or participating. Self-esteem and confidence can also be built through sports leading to a healthier mental state and lifestyle for children.
Finally, there are many social benefits to sports as well. Communication, cooperation, and collaboration skills are vital within youth sports and become very useful later in life. Kids often become better at time management and leadership through sports with busy schedules and different teammates and connections made. Sports can also build lifelong friendships and connections with teammates and coaches. Sports offer a sense of community for children helping with their collaboration skills and further improving social interaction. “Children in organized sports have a built-in support system with their coaches and teammates,” Dr. Swary says from the Henry Ford Health Staff. The exposure to different kids around the same age helps build social and emotional skills in general.
Even with all the positives, there are still potential drawbacks and downsides to youth sports. The main ones include risk of injury and added pressure and stress. With an increase of high intensity movements, especially within contact sports, comes an increased risk of injury. Some of these injuries can affect young athletes for their entire lives. On the mental side of things, added pressure and stress from coaches and parents can be a negative side effect of sports. With high performances comes high expectations. These expectations can greatly affect a still developing brain and cause unnecessary stress and pressure to perform to a standard.
Even with the downsides, there is still an overwhelming positive that comes with being active and playing sports as a kid. They build valuable skills, habits, and connections that stick with them the rest of their lives.
