6 Reasons why sports are important for the children
More and more studies suggest that nowadays children lead a sedentary, unhealthy lifestyle.
In this article I will describe 6 reasons why sports play a decisive role in the development of children into strong and healthy adults.
First, I will briefly explain why sedentarism can become a real health hazard.
Sedentarism can be associated with activities such as seated, watching TV, mobile, playing on the computer, basically anything related to physical inactivity requiring very low energy expenditure. There is also an association between time spent on screens (TV, computer) and certain serious conditions such as heart disease. (1)
Also, physical inactivity reached the 4th risk factor in global mortality. (2)
Data analyzed from the United States between the years 2001-2016, show that the number of hours spent by children and adolescents on the computer is increasing, so that the risk for diseases associated with sedentarism such as type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and heart problems but depression and anxiety are also on the rise. (3)
Therefore, to counterbalance the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle, sport is the main means by which the child can enjoy healthy activities in an organized way.
Beyond the physical benefits of playing a sport, the child will develop discipline, self-confidence and additional skills that will be useful in adulthood. Sport also reduces the risk of substance abuse and dangerous behaviors.
1. It will develop perseverance and resilience
More than improving physical skills, practicing a sport will help children learn to better manage the good moments and the more difficult moments in life. They will experience feelings of joy with their colleagues when they have victories, but at the same time they will experience less pleasant moments, which they will have to overcome and from which they will learn to be resilient after suffer defeats in competitions.
They will learn to be disciplined, responsible for their own actions and persistent when they have to improve their performance. At the same time, they will learn to control their emotions and excel in moments of great tension.
These qualities will be easily transferred to other parts of life such as school and later adult life.
2 . The child will become a physically active adult
There is a growing association between physical activity and health. (4)
Children who attend a sport will become much more physically active adults, therefore automatically healthier. Teenagers who practice ball sports, athletics, resistance sports or martial arts, will transfer to adulthood the habit of being active. For girls, teenagers who participate in athletics, cycling, gymnastics or horse riding will also have a higher chance of having an active adult life. (5) 73% of the adults practicing sports, also played sports in their youth.
Team sports appear to be associated with better health outcomes due to the social component of participation compared to individual sports. (6)
3. Reduces depression
It should not be a surprise that a multitude of studies suggest that children’s involvement in sports decreases the level of depression. It also seems that practicing sports will protect them in adulthood against poor mental health. (7) (8)
4. Increases confidence and self-esteem
Practicing a sport is associated with self-knowledge, confidence and increased self-esteem. The support from the team, the coach and the parents contributes over time to the development of confidence, and with the competition experiences, the child will develop greater confidence in his abilities.
5. Develop competences and social skills
Sport is based on collaboration within the team, the support from the colleagues, effective communication, all of which are built on the principles of fair play. These experiences will be useful in daily interpersonal relationships and will improve direct communication skills, conflict resolution, empathy and prosocial behaviors. (9)
6. It will improve cognitive functions
There is a correlation between physical activity, cognitive functions and school results.
Recent studies suggest that physical exercise has a positive effect on cognitive functions and it is necessary to maintain an active lifestyle into adulthood for these benefits. In one study, participants who exercised at high intensity showed improved memory compared to other test groups. (10) (11)
Conclusion
Sports should not be limited only to children. If the other family members are practicing different physical activities, they will be able to become examples for the children, and their healthy lifestyle will be copied by the little ones, thus contributing to the general health of the family. Moreover, through physical activities, healthy habits are formed, in which the family participates together, taking advantage of the social component of spending time together, in the family.
Anyone can discover new activities to practice with pleasure, why not enjoy them together with the family in a healthy way?
