Nearly half of the youth of America joins at least one sports program in any given year, with no other activity reaching a broader range of children at any given time (Adrams, 2002). Recreation programs have the power to help increase physical activity in the youth, so long as they do not deprive children of fun and equal opportunities (Adrams, 2002). But sports are more than just using a stick or kicking a ball, they can be great tools for teaching hard work, discipline, communication skills, and contribution to a team. Participation in sports can improve strength and endurance, help build healthy bones and muscles, control weight, reduce anxiety and stress, and can improve blood pressure and cholesterol (Seefeldt & Ewing, 1997).
While many people recognize that there are tremendous health benefits associated with physical activity and involvement in sports, that is not the main reason for participation. Allender, Cowburn, and Foster (2006), found in their study while looking to understand why adults and children are involved in sports and physical activity, found that items such as weight management, enjoyment, social interaction with fellow teammates and support from peers were found as top indicators as well. When looking specifically at youth involvement, findings from this study showed that when children were not forced to participate to compete or win, they found sports to be far more enjoyable. They were also interested in experimenting with different activities that sway from the norm. It was also found in the study that parents play a larger role in enabling children to become involved in sports and support is crucial for motivation.
While it is important for children to receive support from their parents, importing a child to catch or kick a ball can have adverse effects and often discourage a child from wanting to continue participating in a sport. A study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics titled “Organized Sports for Children and Preadolescents” (2001), restates that participation in organized sports provides an opportunity for young people to become physically active and develop physical and social skills, which will help them throughout their adult years. However, parental or adult involvement has a strong influence on the positive experience that children gain from participation.
Children can develop feelings of failure or frustration when participating in sports when the expectations of involvement exceed cognitive and physical development. Placing a child in a tournament, on an all-star team, or in a competitive environment can take the enjoyment out of playing a sport. To expand on this idea, children who are pushed to limits that surpass their capabilities often by coaches or parents choose to quit sports (Health, 2001). Participation in youth sports should not push children beyond their abilities but should assist in the further development of a child’s physical, social, and cognitive maturity (Health, 2001). Youth participation in sports, especially in preadolescents can be extremely beneficial, but it is also necessary to allow children to learn the basic skills associated with that sport first to allow them to enjoy being involved without the pressure of competition or over-parenting.
In regard to the poll from the National Alliance for Youth Sports that was previously mentioned, the increased emphasis on competition and the pressure to perform well has caused many children to quit organized sports. It’s clear that not all children have a competitive attribute or the commitment or interest to participate at such an intense level (Adrams, 2002). Though there are competitions for children to participate in depending on the activity, not all non-traditional sports force competition to win, which is why they can be so appealing. Early childhood involvement in sports should emphasize instruction rather than competition (Seefeldt & Ewing, 1997). Successes in these types of sports are not determined by the number of points scored, but rather the satisfaction of reaching a new personal goal or growing as an athlete (Hedlund, 1990).
There is nothing wrong with a little competition, and competitiveness is natural and can benefit children over time. Being involved in competitions helps participants build character, develop friendships, and teaches the importance of hard work and determination, according to Dionigi, Horton, and Baker (2011). In the study “Sports Competition and Its Influence on Self-esteem (1989), researchers looked to understand the role youth sports participation plays on childhood self-esteem. Results showed how valuable participation in a sport confidently affects a child’s development.
In youth sporting programs, fun and enjoyment have to be maintained in the activity to positivity, support a child’s self-esteem, as well as strong interaction with fellow peers and supportive parental influence. The study also stressed that coaches of youth programs must be trained well and have the ability to adjust their participation styles to develop positive self-esteem in their athletes (Hines & Groves, 1989). With this knowledge, non-traditional youth sporting programs could be a way to raise self-esteem in youth athletes, so long as the activity creates a pleasurable, supportive environment for the child. Along with improving a child’s
self-esteem, research has found that sports and physical activity youth sporting programs can also be a useful tool in positively affecting personal and social development (Morris, Sallybanks, & Willis, 2003). Research shows that that programs that use sporting activities can reduce antisocial behavior in youth.
Participation in youth sports can have a lasting effect on the athletes as they enter their adult years. A study conducted at the World Masters Games in Sydney, Australia, looked to understand personal growth and identity development in adult athletes, as well as gain insight into cultural factors and equity issues affecting sports participation later in life. After interviewing 44 athletes that competed in the games, results showed common themes across all age, gender, and nationality categories, but differed in sporting background. Some of the themes included competitiveness, the satisfaction of winning things at an older age, motivation to work harder, a guide at personal standings, enjoyment of traveling, and companionship. The results showed that sports can provide many unique benefits to participants beyond those gained from general physical activity (Dionigi, Baker, & Horton, 2011).
A similar study conducted by Miller and Siegel (2017), attempted to offer some insight on the relationship between perceptions of childhood sports experience and adult exercise behavior. 234 adults were asked to assess their youth sports experiences using competence, confidence, connectedness, and character as a framework of positive youth development. The results showed that a positive experience participating in youth sports translates into a healthier lifestyle and continued physical activity in adult years (Miller & Siegel, 2017). Having high quality, organized youth sports programs are important because it can have lasting effects on children as they move into adulthood in turns of choosing to be physically active and healthy.
