The recent reports of violence and disruptive behaviours in some of our nation’s schools coupled with intolerable actions among youth in communities prompted me to take a closer look at how a focus on the inclusion of sport in the education curriculum can benefit our country.
School-based sports programmes can bring out noticeable positive reactions and behaviours in teens. But what are the deeper benefits from these programmes? What are we losing when schools do not see participation in these programmes as essential?
The most extensive research has come in a report called, Relationships Between Youth Sport Participation and Selected Health Risk Behaviors from 1999 to 2007, published in the Journal of School Health. This report analyses many different factors, including race, age and gender and behaviours, including eating habits, sexual activity, and drug risks.
Overall, the study found that advantages of sports include: weight control; problem-solving skills; self-esteem; social competence; academic achievement.
And sports can lead to reduced rates of juvenile arrests, teen pregnancies, school dropouts. (Taliaferro, 2010)
Social benefits
Teen girls tend to see the greater social benefits of competing in team sports. The physical activity combined with the camaraderie and purpose lead to a winning combination for girls. “Girls who compete in sports get better grades, graduate at higher rates and have more confidence. The vast majority avoid unplanned pregnancies, drugs, obesity, depression and suicide.” (Anderson, 2012)
The Taliaferro study marked a number of positive social benefits of physical activity, including less risky sexual behaviour (increased condom use and fewer sexual partners) and fewer tendencies to smoke cigarettes or use marijuana or other illegal drugs.
The social benefits can also lead to academic benefits. Physical activity is shown to lead to better academic performance.
It appears reasonable to suggest that for females, playing on a sport team, especially one at school, appears to be protective. Playing on sport teams may enhance school connectedness, social support and bonding among friends and teammates for females, and may have greater value compared to regular exercise. Valois (2004) suggests for males it appears that playing on a sport team at school is protective and productive for improved quality of life (perceived life satisfaction), building endurance, stretching and strength training may be more important mentally and physically for competitive sports at school and for overall mental health.
“A growing body of literature suggests a relationship between Physical Activity (PA) and improved mental well-being for adolescents. Participation in PA (exercise) for teens is associated with decreased anxiety and depression and improved academic performance; improved parental relationships, increased self-esteem, and decreased anger; decreased psychological stress; lower levels of mental health problems; reduced tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; and satisfaction with mandatory gym classes in school” (Valois, 2004)
Taken the other way, not getting enough exercise, in school or otherwise, can lead to depression, anxiety, and lower interest in school and academics.
The bigger picture
How can schools best use this information? If the school thinks they have to trade sports in order to get better grades, they may be heading down the wrong path.
“Physical activity can be added to the school curriculum without academic consequences and also can offer physical, emotional, and social benefits.” (Story, 2009) Sports programmes are good for the individual and the whole.
According to the Taliaferro study, “Identifying a factor, such as sport participation, that correlates with reduced involvement in multiple health risk behaviours among adolescents represents a significant contribution to health policy and practice, particularly given the limited resources available to promote positive health behaviours.” (Taliaferro, 2010)
When these positive health behaviours combine with improved academic performance, as noted in the Valois study, it seems clear that educators should prioritise youth sports as a win-win situation for the school and for students.
Jameson Rigues,
Director,
Guaya United FC