Team sports can boost your child’s mental and physical health. Learning teamwork, discipline and good sportsmanship are just the beginning of the benefits of playing team sports.
Recent studies have shown that playing sports boosts children’s physical health and mental and emotional well-being. These benefits have been shown to carry over to relationships, academia, other extracurricular activities, and careers.
Here are a few of the benefits associated with team sports according to recent studies.
Brain Benefits Of Team Sports
A Dutch study of 880 children released last year validates that children who play team sports have increased executive functioning skills. Executive functioning skills are a large part of our everyday lives. These skills include:
- Problem Management
- Organizing
- Planning
- Working Memory
- Focus
- Emotional Regulation
Children who participate also show more creativity and increased cognitive performance. These skills are hugely beneficial when it comes to school, homework, and time management with working.
Improvement In Mental And Emotional Health
Playing sports has been shown to have several positive effects on children’s mental and emotional health. Some of these positive effects are:
- Lower Anxiety and Depression
- Decreased Stress
- Increased Self-esteem and Confidence
- Decreased Risk of Suicide
- Reduced Risk of Substance Abuse and Risky Behaviors
- Increased Empathy for Others
- Increased Overall Satisfaction and Quality of Life
Youth who are part of a team and know that teammates count on them make better choices. They have increased pride in their work and responsibility to others.
Physical Health Benefits
Regular physical activity has immediate positive benefits; however, newer studies show that a child’s physical health could benefit for years after. One study states, “Adolescents who play sports are 8 times more likely to be physically active at age 24 than those who do not play sports.”
Benefits of regular physical activity include:
- Decreased Risk of Obesity
- Increased Bone Health
- Increased Cardiovascular Health
- Reduced Risk of Certain Types of Cancer
- Increased Muscular Fitness
Playing sports as a child or youth establishes healthy habits and lifestyle traits throughout adulthood. These habits can help decrease healthcare costs as adults and improve physical quality of life.
Life-Long Influence Can Be Developed With Team Sports
Parents of youth who played sports reported that “their child learn about discipline and dedication, as well as how to get along with others.” These positive character traits carry over into adulthood, relationships, and careers.
Participating in sports has been correlated with:
- Higher Academic Achievement
- Leadership Qualitites
- Increase in Determination and Resilience
- Critical Thinking Skills
- Improved Teamwork and Social Skills
- Social Responsibility
- High school athletes are likelier to attend and graduate from a four-year college.
Skills learned by participating in team sports translate to improved overall performance in academia, career positioning, and social responsibilities.
Team sports are an excellent way for kids to connect with others and learn essential life skills. While these benefits make a lot of sense, we recommend never pushing your child into sports, as some children may benefit from other activities they enjoy more than athletic-based activities.