Children Playing Sports Have Better Mental Health
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A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that children who regularly participate in sports from an early age will have better long-term mental health. The study was led by researchers from the University of Queensland.
Associate Professor Asad Khan from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences led the study. The team analysed data from more than 4,200 Australian children over an eight-year period from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
“We found there was a positive impact on mental health regardless of the type of sport, however, children who played in a team experienced greater benefit.
“This could be due to the social aspects involved such as being surrounded by supportive peers, opportunities to form friendships, and working towards a collaborative goal,” said Dr. Khan.
Around 14 per cent of children aged between four and 11 experience a mental disorder in Australia, with boys being more affected than girls. Dr. Khan also said that the research showed positive results for both boys and girls. He said, “At ages six and seven, around 59 per cent of boys participated in team sports, compared to only 26 per cent of girls.
“We found that boys who played team sports experienced fewer psychosocial difficulties and better health-related quality-of-life, while the benefits of team sport participation was lower among girls.
“Some possible reasons to explain girls’ lower level of team sports involvement could include lack of self-belief and confidence in sporting ability, or the common stereotype of team sports being a male-dominant activity.
“It could also be due to a lack of opportunity for girls to participate in team sports, or a lack of diversity of sports offered in schools and co-curricular programs.”
It is important to encourage children, both girls and boys to take part in sports as it helps to improve their mental as well as physical well-being.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
