Benefit of team sports and children white paper

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BENEFITS OF TEAM SPORTS FOR CHILDREN

An Overview

Provided by

Hi-Five™ At Work

A Division of Hi-Five Sports Clubs, Inc.


Introduction, Benefits of Team Sports for Children

There have been numerous studies on the impact of team sports and children. The physical benefits

have been widely known and accepted. Children that are physically active on a regular basis have the

benefits of better weight control, stronger muscles and bones and increased agility. But what is lesser

known are the positive impacts of team sports for children emotionally and socially. The positive effects

are numerous and span genders, age categories and incomes.

All people seek to have a good sense of self-worth both internally through self image but also

interactively with peers in groups. A sense of self-confidence reduces the anxiety of social situations

which allows children to both expand and deepen their social relationships. This in term helps develop

their sense of self-confidence. This virtuous cycle continually builds a healthy ego that insulates children

from negative influences and drives them to accomplish more in life.

Several studies in the last decade have focused on these emotional and social aspects of children and

the impact that playing team sports has on them.

Review of Studies - Team Sports and Children

Physical Benefits

In-depth studies have proven what Hi-Five has known from its two decades of providing youth sports

programs.

Physically active children are less likely to suffer from obesity, through better weight management, and

physical diseases such as diabetes (1). The US Center for Disease Control has issued the following health

statement relating to youth and physical activity, "Obese youth are at a higher risk for health problems

like cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, not only during their youth, but on into adulthood." The

CDC quotes research that states that 80% of children who are overweight between ages 10 to 15 will be

obese as adults. Team sports is a fun way for children to be active.

Young children who learn the various aspects of hand-eye coordination and balance while in motion, as

well as, proper athletic form create kinesthetic muscle memory that benefit them their entire lives. Like


learning a second language, it is easier for very young children to learn coordination and proper

movement than adolescents or adults. This makes it easier for these same children to use their bodies

in coordinated and balanced ways throughout their lives. Team sports is an excellent way to achieve all

these physical developmental outcomes (2).

Emotional Benefits

A comprehensive 2011 study found team sports had personal benefits including better emotional

control, enjoying exploration, increased confidence, increased discipline and increased academic focus

(3). Sports are found to significantly better health outcomes including higher healthy self-image. This

stronger sense of self value tends to act as an emotional barrier to negative influencers and lowers risk

of emotional distress, suicidal behavior and substance abuse (4). Given the trials and tribulations of our

modern society, children need all the positive influence they can receive. Participating in team sports is

an excellent way to do this.

Social Benefits

A comprehensive 2011 study of parents reported social benefits of team sports participation includes

positive relationships with coaches, making new friends and developing teamwork and social skills (3). A

2010 study reported children participating in sports had higher social skill scores compared with children

who didn't participate in any non-scholastic activities (5). Shyness is found to be reduced based on sport

participation and plays a uniquely protective role for shy children greatly reducing social anxiety (6).

Advanced socialization skills developed from team sports positively affect all social situations for

children.


Hi-Five At Work's Use of Holistic Principles for Children

Hi-Five At Work designs its sports camp curriculums, team-building and activities using a holistic model

to child development. The camp strives to promote healthy bodies, positive emotional states and

constructive social interaction. It wants children to feel welcomed, safe, rewarded through their

individual contributions to groups and experience a positive sense of team and teamwork.

A Hi-Five sports camp seeks to give broad exposure of many sports to every child. The model is similar

to a general arts major in college. You get to try many "classes" finally settling in on the sport that a

child connects with personally. They then choose to "major" in that sport and will later find

performance sports programs to build on the fundamental skills they learned at the Hi-Five sports camp.

Hi-Five uses several philosophical tools as cornerstones to achieve these outcomes.

Having Fun

Hi-Five prides itself on being a sports program with a sense of humor. Hi-Five provides sports programs

that are structured and staffed by experts in individual sports but the focus is on teamwork, good efforts

and the joy of the game.

Activities are structured to be fun, cooperative and memorable like tie-dyes, recreation outings, Hi-Five

Idol, Goofy Olympics, crazy relay contests, giant inflatable play centers and water wars. The programs

often make fun twists on the sports like using a tennis racket instead of a bat and changing up

traditional games in entertaining ways. Games can be played in costumes or face paint.

Every camper is given optional activities time in which they get to choose the sport they want to play

and mix up teams, ages and grades. This allows a camper to have time to tailor part of the camp day to

what they'd like to do.

Character Counts

Hi-Five believes children should compete in team sports with some teams winning and some teams

losing based on scores. But Hi-Five teaches the values of good sportsmanship, the value of trying, the

increased achievement through repetition and the value to groups of individual contributions.

The Value of Teams


Hi-Five structures summer camp so children are in age groups and then consistently playing on teams

with the same children. They are guided by age group leaders and have counselor/coaches facilitating

safe and fun activities. The teams have team names, flags/banners, their own mottos and their own

cheers. Those teams play against other teams in a rotation of team sports. This allows diversity of

experience and each team member to shine with the sports they are most interested in.

The camp also works on team building and facilitating interpersonal interaction between teams,

amongst entire age groups and with the entire camp. Each week certain campers are individually

rewarded for good sportsmanship and camp spirit. This emphasizes character over winning.

How Can Hi-Five At Work Help Children in Your Life?

Hi-Five At Work is a provider of summer camps to the children of employee's as a Work-Life Balance

employee assistance program. Hi-Five works with companies as a complete outsource partner to

provide a summer sports camp on the grounds owned by companies that runs during standard work

hours. With over 20 years of experience in 16 different cities, Hi-Five is an expert in its field. Hi-Five is

happy to work directly with companies or with human resource service firms to provide its programs

within the United States.

We invite you to learn more about our programs at http://www.hifiveatwork.com/, email

[email protected], or call 1-800-985-0565 ext 2.

Employee Benefits for Summer Sports Camps

A sports summer camp provided on an employer's grounds greatly simplifies summer scheduling for

parents. It allows more time by parents to be spent with children. It also allows employees to focus on

work which reduces stress.

Employer Benefits for Summer Sports Camps

A sports summer camp provided by employers helps companies to recruit and retain employees. It

helps to boost productivity while in the office. It also cuts down on absenteeism.


Source References

(1) Center for Disease Control (CDC). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2011. MMWR

2012;61(SS-4).

(2) Lee, M: Coaching Children in Sport: Principles and Practice. Routledge 2002.

(3) Holt N, Kingsley B, Tink L, Scherer J: Benefits and challenges associated with sport participation by

children and parents from low-income families. Psychol Sport Exerc 2011, 12:490-499.

(4) Harrison P: Differences in behavior, psychological factors, and environmental factors associated with

participation in school sports and other activities. J School Health 2003, 73(3):113-120.

(5) Linver M, Roth J, Brooks-Gunn J: Patterns of adolescents' participation in organized activities. Dev

Psychol 2009, 45(2):354-367.

(6) Findlay L, Coplan R: Come out and play: Shyness in childhood and the benefits of organized sports

participation. Can J Behav Sci 2008, 40(3):153-161.

Benefit of team sports and children white paper

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