How Sports Can Benefit Lives Tyson Andrizzi English 2010 2/14/14.

How Sports Can Benefit Lives

Tyson AndrizziEnglish 2010

2/14/14

The Choice:

When kids reach the age of five or six years old, parents have a choice as to whether or not their kids begin to participate in sports. Now obviously team sports are not for everyone and that is just fine, there are plenty of individual sport options that come with the same benefits. Encourage your child to try numerous activities at a young age to see which one(s) fit them best!

In America nearly 35 million children (ages 5-18) play sports each year. Of these 35 million athletes, 60 percent play sports outside of school.

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Sports can help kids become stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.Being part of a team and working with others can help prepare kids for challenges later in life, such as a career or a family.73 percent of corporate executives engaged in sports as a child or teen.

Sports helping kids in school with academics

The American College of Sports Medicine conducted a study that showed kids who engage in over 20 minutes of physical activity a day do better in school and have higher grades than those who don’t.When playing sports for a school team, kids have to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible to participate. If the GPA is not a 2.0 the athlete is not allowed to play until he or she raises grades. Schools also have attendance policies for their student athletes. If a student athlete is absent more times than the school’s limit, he or she is not eligible to play.

A study was conducted in a Los Angeles school district where there were approximately 35,000 student athletes.The study showed that student athletes attend nearly 21 more days of school annually than those who don’t play sports.The study also showed that student athletes GPA’s were between 0.5 and 0.75 points higher than non-athletes.

Girls Who play sports in school

• According to the Women’s Sports Foundation girls who are student athletes are:

• 80% less likely to get pregnant.• 92% less likely to try drugs.• Three times more likely to graduate from high

school.• More self confident and have lower rates of

depression.• More likely to have a higher positive body image.

Physical benefits of sports

• The Better Health Channel states that children who engage in physical sports benefit in the following ways:

• reduced risk of obesity• increased cardiovascular fitness• improved cordination and balance• Nearly 18% deeper sleep after physical sports or activities

Mental and Social benefits of sports

• Healthline states that sports can mentally benefit those who play in the following ways:

• Improved mood• Reduced stress• Less anxiety• Higher self confidence• More friends• Better social skills• More frequent interaction with parents• Higher will-power to avoid risky behaviors

Quotes:

“The benefits of sports outweigh the negatives, so it's the responsibility of parents, schools and others involved in the lives of kids to help make sports a successful and pleasurable experience.” Marianne Engle, PH.D, sports psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the NYU Child Study Center

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.” Michael Jordan

“It's the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself.” Muhammad Ali

“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play.” Mike Singletary

Conclusion:

Sports can be very beneficial to children of all ages, races, and genders.Student athletes have higher graduation rates and higher GPA’s than non-student athletes.Kids who play sports are more likely to be happier and experience less stress than those who don’t.Sports help kids stay away from drugs, sex, and risky behaviors.Sports can bring children and parents closer together.Physical activity while young helps prevent future health problems and risks.

Works Cited:• Hatter, Katherine. “How do sports help kids in school?” Livestrong. 21, October

2013. Web. 28, January 2014. http://www.livestrong.com/article/362903-how-does-sports-help-kids-in-school/

• Jones, Heather. “The Mental Benefits of Sports, Sports and exercise help your mind and body.” Healthline. 6, May 2013. Web. 13, February 2014. http://www.healthline.com/health/mental-benefits-sports

• Prebble, Dennis. “Sports and Children.” Better Health Channel. 14, Junes 2013. Web. 13, February 2014. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sport_and_children

• Unknown Author. “Study: Physically Active Kids Perform Better Academically.” Spark. 12, November 2012. Web. 12, February 2014. http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/study-physically-active-kids-perform-better-academically/

• Zeller, Jodie. “Sports and teen pregnancy.” Women’s Sports Foundation. 24, June 2013. Web. 28, January 2014. http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/home/research/articles-and-reports/mental-and-physical-health/sport-and-teen-pregnancy