A lot of research has examined the impact of sports on physical and psychosocial health in children and adolescents.
Overall the research has shown youth sport participants have higher levels of physical activity that positively influence physical and psychological health in adolescence and in later life.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Youth athletes have:
- Higher level of physical activity and they expend more energy daily
- Less body fat
- A reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese
- Higher levels of cardio respiratory fitness
- Stronger bones and muscles
- An increased likelihood of being physically active in later life
SOCIAL WELL-BEING
Sports can provide:
- Opportunities to make new friends
- Exposure to positive role models
- Opportunities to travel
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
Youth athletes have:
- Higher levels of self-esteem and social connections
- Lower levels of depression
- Lower levels of problem behaviours (aggression problems, social problems, and delinquency problems)