What are the Benefits of Sports for Kids and Teens?

Even if you have a lot of other priorities for instance, sports, extracurricular activities, etc., still youneed to complete a senior project to graduate successfully

Children who play competitive sports get more out of it than a love of athletics. There are manybenefits both physical and mental benefits for active children and teens who are involved in sportson any level. Competition in sports is a healthy way for students to get exercise and the activity itselfcan help kids to mature in many ways. Even kids who are not athletic can benefit fromsports.Physical Benefits of Competitive Sports for Teens

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in many areas of the world. According to the Center forDisease Control in the article "Childhood Overweight and Obesity" on its website, the 2007-2008National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed that around 17 percent ofchildren and teens ages two to 19 are obese. Getting children involved with sports from a young ageis an easy and fun way to combat obesity and help children and teens maintain a healthy weight andbody image.

There are also many other benefits aside from weight control that result from playing sports. Mostcompetitive sports, from dancing to football, require a level of agility and coordination that mayotherwise take years to develop. Sports can help youth develop greater coordination and musclecontrol at an earlier age.

Physical activity requires focus. Muscle memory allows kids to play sports more easily, but gettingthat focus requires discipline. Discipline in sports can also result in a more disciplined and focusedchild. A good coach can direct kids and teens in a way that enhances their ability to focus on both

body and mind.

Mental and Social Benefits of Competitive Sports for Kids

In addition to an increased ability to focus, there are a number of mental and social benefits forchildren and teens who get involved with competitive sports. Kids who play sports are exposed to asocial circle of children with similar interests from a young age; this can give them a healthy,supportive group of friends as they grow older.

Competitive sports are heavily focused on communication and strategy. Although younger childrenmay not have these skills, over time, competition helps them to develop. Communication involvestalking both to teammates and opponents, problem-solving and sportsmanship. Kids who learn theseskills early on in life are likely to apply those skills to many areas of academics and their social life.

Interaction with a coach is also an important part of competitive sports, especially for high-riskyouth. Kids and teens that have a supportive adult outside the home are less likely to experiencedepression and more likely to have a higher self-esteem.

Sports offer many benefits to youth, from physical fitness to emotional well-being. All sports,whether swimming, soccer, baseball or any other sport, can give kids a major boost in their physicaland emotional development.

Source:

Payne, Caroline and Fogarty, Kate. Importance http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/SPORT ofYouth Involvement in Sports. University of Florida IFAS Extension (accessed June 22, 2010).

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