Why Sports Are Good for Kids?
Playing sports is an important
element in the lives of many American children. More than 40 million
kids between the ages of six and 17--both male and female--participate
in athletics in the United States. Most engage in sports to simply have
fun, but the benefits of such activities go far beyond the love of the
game. Some benefits can be seen, others felt, while several occur
without even being noticed at all.
Physical Health
The
health benefits of sports are numerous, especially for kids. In 1997,
the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) published the "Guidelines for
Schools and Communities for Promoting Lifelong Physical Activity," where
the agency noted that regular physical activity in childhood and
adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones
and muscles, helps control weight, reduces anxiety and stress, increases
self-esteem, and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Psychological Health
Children
who are actively involved in a sport are more likely to describe
themselves as being in good physical health than students who do not
participate in sports, according to a 2006 article published in the
"Journal of Community Health." A 2006 article published in the "Journal
of School Health" found that the interaction a child has with her coach
helps to improve self-esteem as well as lower the chance of depression.
Social Skills
Social
responsibility and leadership skills are two other reasons why sports
are good for children. According to "Youth Sports in America: An
Overview," sports can provide excellent educational opportunities for
social development because many of the social and moral requirements for
participation in sports are parallels to how individuals must function
in a law-abiding society. The "Handbook of Research on Sports
Psychology" states that understanding the competitive process entails an
appreciation of the social nature of competition, particularly with
regard to the cooperative and strategic aspects of sports and an
awareness of the nature of individual roles within a cooperating group.
Academic Benefits
Kids
can also show the benefits of sports in the classroom. A 2002 study
published in "Sociology of Education" concluded that participating in
athletics helps high school students perform well academically more than
any other extracurricular activity. A 2007 study published in
"Educational Psychological Review" stated that systematic exercise
programs may actually enhance the development of specific types of
mental processing known to be important for meeting challenges
encountered both in academics and later in life.
Future
The
benefits of kids' participation in sports can long outlast their youth.
Some can parlay their athletic prowess into scholarships for private
schools and colleges. There are also the lucky few who are able to use
their particular talent for sports as a career. Many adults credit their
ongoing participation in sports to the love of the game they cultivated
as kids.
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