Influence Of Competitive Sports On Teenager

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website says regular physical activity in adolescence improves strength and endurance, helps build healthy bones and muscles, helps control weight, cuts anxiety and stress, boosts self-esteem and may improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Researchers found that teens involved in sports had higher grade-point averages, and were more prepared to pursue future goals. 'Teens who participated in sports, school involvement activities and academic clubs also were more likely to be enrolled full-time in college at age 21,' said University of Michigan psychologist Jacquelynne Eccles, one of the authors of a report on the study. A 2012 Dutch study had similar outcomes. A review of the study, published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine said it 'suggests there is a significant positive relationship between physical activity and academic performance.'

Experts are split on whether sports have a positive or a negative impact on teens. One Michigan State University study pointed out that students who play sports develop a strong bond with their teammates, suggesting that sports play an integral role in teaching young people how to communicate. Another study by West Virginia University found that girls who play sports feel significantly more satisfied with their lives than girls who don't. But many experts believe that sports can be linked to aggressive behavior. Athletic youth that can't reach goals that are expected of they may feel angry, alienated and can eventually become aggressive, according to HelpingPsychology.com.

Teens who were involved in other activities, like church and pro-social activities were more protected from developing these behaviors. In a 2009 study, researchers examined survey responses from 13,000 high school students concerning unhealthy behaviors and found that young men who participated in sports were more likely to engage in risky behaviors than those who did not. Young women who were surveyed, however, had lower rates of marijuana use, drinking and depression. (Fidler, 2017)

Physical Benefits

Children who play sports are more likely to be physically fit, have a healthy weight and maintain a better body image. A healthy body contributes to a healthy mind, and regular exercise contributes to overall physical and mental health. Competitive sports require discipline and focus from children, especially as they grow older. A child who can keep her body focused on the sport may also have an easier time focusing her mind on school work.

Mental Benefits

Competitive sports are challenging for youth. They require kids and teens to cooperate, competes in a sportsmanlike way, use strategy and communicate with one another. All of these attitudes can be developed through playing sports. According to the University of Florida Extension, youth sports can enhance a child's emotional and mental development, helping him to mature at a steady and accelerated rate. The mental benefits of playing youth sports can last for a lifetime.

Social Benefits

Youth who play sports form a circle of social acquaintances. They will become better able to make friends, socialize with others and respond in constructive ways to conflict. Competition is a situation in which conflict and problems inevitably arise, and children who play sports are more likely to handle conflict in positive ways. Communication is a major part of competitive sports, and students who learn to communicate play and react more positively. (Richards, 2017)

1. Improved Physical Health.

We all know the benefits of exercise to physical health. Sadly, most kids don’t manage to get the amount of activity recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services (60 minutes per day of moderate or vigorous activity). An unfit adolescent is more likely to have greater amounts of body fat, higher chances of cardiovascular and other metabolic disease, and less healthy bones than those who exercise regularly. Additionally, regular exercise can also keep inflammation (a risk factor of chronic disease) at bay. By participating in competitive athletics adolescents can experience the health benefits as well as build a foundation of good exercise habits for the future. Ultimately, the benefits of team sport participation throughout your teen’s adolescence can last them a lifetime.

2. Athletes Accelerate in Academics.

Just before reaching middle adolescence, teens tend to drop off sports teams and focus on other pursuits. The focus on academics intensifies in preparation for university. This shift often leads to the drop-out of sports related activities in high school. After all, the stereotype of a “dumb-jock” has always been prevalent in sports, especially in recent years. It’s a stereotype that has been difficult to shed, and is often perpetuated by the mainstream media. Most recently it was highlighted by Ryan Lochte’s reality show “What Would Ryan Lochte Do.” Is this really what all successful athletes look like? The answer is a resounding NO. Even though we hear more about the stand outs like Lochte, on the other end of the spectrum are athletes such as the “Harvard Quarterback”, Ryan Fitzpatrick, or basketball player, Pau Gasol, who put medical school on hold to play professional basketball. Furthermore, recent research on the neurological benefits has demonstrated the brain enhancing benefits of exercise that works at the cellular level resulting in enhanced brain-power. In contrast to the dumb-jock stereotype, being involved in sports can not only help cognitive performance but also lead to improved academic functioning.

3. Mental Health Benefits.

As a psychologist I’m not alone in prescribing exercise to enhance treatment goals. It is known that regular exercise has many positive effects. First of all, exercise results in overall improved psychosocial health. Specifically, athletes experience lower levels of depression and anxiety than their non-athlete counterparts. Team sports demonstrate even more benefits than more solitary activities. Some researchers speculate that it is due to the social aspect of being on a team. Others go so far to highlight the importance of adolescents' participation in team sports suggesting it is essential for their development in the social realm. Interestingly researchers have found that children who participate on team sports are more socially advanced than their non-sports participating peers. Sports involvement promotes mentorship relationships and also provides adolescents many opportunities to navigate various (sometimes complex) social situations, be decisive and work as a member of a team. It results in adolescents who are more competent, decisive, better at managing their time whilst providing teens with a sense of community and belonging.

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The dark side of competitive athletics can lead to adolescents to experience some negative social interactions especially when the focus is on solely on winning. While it is true that losing can be hard (and frustrating!) for adolescents and parents alike, it is the yin of the yang.

Learning to lose is just as important as learning to win. Not all teens can be the very best at their sport, and being the best should not be the purpose of participation. Competition is tough. Despite this, athletic involvement acts in a protective capacity; adolescents who engage regularly in sports, tend to understand themselves better and are best able to set limits and boundaries, when considering children’s overall social and emotional experience.

4. Nothing worthwhile in life comes easily.

In order to experience personal satisfaction, a deeper form of success, your teen must learn that working hard, prioritizing, sacrifice, and follow-through will help them reach their goals. These attributes are part of the athletic framework and fundamental to experiencing success not only in sports, but also in academics and beyond. By encouraging and supporting your teen’s participation in competitive sports, parents are teaching them persistence, tenacity, or what Angela Ducksworth, PhD, calls Grit. Adolescents can practice and ultimately attain grit through the habits developed in competitive team sports: working hard, often for little or no recognition and learning to tolerate frustration. Participation on an athletic team also provides teens the opportunity to work alongside people better than them and others who might not be (but are inspiring none-the-less) and model the tenacious personality trait (think Rudy Ruettiger). Learning to work hard in sports and tolerate the natural ups and downs of athletics, can support the development grit. Furthermore, as this trait is developed, according to Dr. Ducksworth, adolescents become more resilient across domains and have a better capacity to cope with everyday life stressors. (Olszewski, 2017)

1. You’ll be healthier.

Sports require you to move your body, and it’s a commonly known fact that exercise is good for your health. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity helps control weight, combats health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy and promotes better sleep. The health advantages of participating in a sport far outweigh the dangers of actual injury.

2. You’ll be smarter.

Many studies reveal that playing sports can actually boost your brainpower. A report from the Institute of Medicine stated: Children who are more active show greater attention, have faster cognitive processing speed, and perform better on standardized academic tests than children who are less active. This shouldn’t be too surprising as exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and blood flow to the brain stimulates brain growth. Plus, playing a sport actually does require you to think on your feet and strategize, keeping your mind sharp and alert.

3. You’ll learn teamwork and sportsmanship.

In sports, individuals learn to rely on each other and motivate one another to accomplish a common goal. Though individual sports are great, team sports actually do teach you a life lesson: the success of a team — or an organization — depends on how well the players work together. Not even the “star” player can win the game alone.

Sports also teach you to play fairly and to respect the players on the opposing team. Cheating, gloating and fighting do not belong in sports — or in the professional world for that matter. Sports teach you to put forth your best effort and exhibit honorable behavior whether you win or lose a game.

4. You’ll make friends.

When you join a sports team, you will inevitably make friends. Because teammates share so many fun and exciting moments, your friendships should last long after you finish playing. There is also one more perk: most teams traditionally go out to eat after a game!

5. You’ll learn to focus and manage your time.

Sports require time and commitment, but most players usually perform better in school and are more likely to be involved in clubs or community service. How is this possible? Playing a sport requires teenagers to develop two important skills: focus and time management. Focus and time management are crucial traits in people who get things done and accomplish their short and long-term goals.

6. You’ll strengthen your college resume.

Though it should not be the main reason to join a sport, it’s a fact that colleges and universities do favor applicants who are well-rounded. Playing a sport will not only pad your resume, it will usually tell the admissions counselor that you are disciplined, confident and work well with others. It may say that you have more than student potential … you have leadership potential.

7. You’ll have an advantage in the workplace.

Not all people who play sports are “dumb jocks.” In fact, there are studies indicating that girls and boys who played sports are more likely to land higher-status jobs than those who did not. According to a study from Cornell University, teenagers who played sports developed stronger leadership skills, worked better in teams and demonstrated more confidence. The study also stated: “Participation in competitive youth sports ‘spills over’ to occupationally advantageous traits that persist across a person’s life.” (Compton & Atkinson, n.d.)