Benefits of Youth Sports

Developed by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science BoardBeneﬁts of Youth Sports

Beneﬁts of Youth Sports

Developed by the PCSFN Science Board

September 17, 2020

The National Youth Sports Strategy aims to unite U.S. youth sports culture around a shared vision:

that one day, all youth will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports—regardless of

their race, ethnicity, sex, ability, or ZIP code. Why youth sports? Research shows that participating in

youth sports can lead to immediate and long-term benets for youth, their families, and communities.

Mental, Emotional, and Social Health

73 percent of parents believe that

sports benet their child’s mental health.

And they

are right!

• Participating in sports is associated with:

• Lower rates of anxiety and depression

2–5

• Lower amounts of stress

5,6

• Higher self-esteem and condence

3,7–9

• Reduced risk of suicide

5,10,11

• Less substance abuse and fewer risky

behaviors

5,8,12

• Increased cognitive performance

5,13–15

• Increased creativity

• Greater enjoyment of all forms of

physical activity

• Improved psychological and emotional

well-being for individuals with disabilities

• Increased life satisfaction

19,20

Physical Health

88 percent of parents believe that sports benet

their child’s physical health.

Indeed, participation is

one way for youth to get the physical activity they

need to be t and healthy.

• Participating in physical activity is

associated with:

• Improved bone health

• Improved weight status

5,21

• Increased cardiorespiratory and muscular

tness

5,21

• Reduced risk of cancer and diabetes

22,23

• Participating in sports is associated with:

• Increased physical activity levels

• Improved cardiovascular tness

• Decreased body fat percentage for girls

• Increased overall quality of life

19,20

Developed by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science BoardBeneﬁts of Youth Sports

Educational and Career Success

55 percent of parents believe that sports will

benet their children academically and improve

their future careers. 80 percent of parents believe

that sports helped their child learn about discipline

and dedication, as well as how to get along with

others.

Research supports these beliefs.

• Participating in sports is associated with:

• Improved teamwork, social skills, and

social responsibility

3,9

• Improved life skills (e.g., goal setting,

time management, work ethic, empathy,

negotiation)

9,25,26

• Increased empowerment, personal

responsibility, and self-control

9,27

• Improved educational and occupational

skills (e.g., determination, perseverance,

grit, resilience, critical thinking)

• Higher levels of academic

achievement

5,28–34

• Greater leadership qualities

5,35–37

• High school athletes are more likely to attend

and graduate from a four-year college

10,33,38–41

Lifelong Participation

73 percent of adults who play sports participated

when they were younger.

This means they built the

habit of physical activity early and are reaping the

rewards in adulthood.

• Lifelong participation in sports can lead to

improved mental health outcomes.

6,42

• Over 50% of adults who participate in sports

believe that participation reduces stress and

improves mental health.

• Adolescents who play sports are 8 times more

likely to be physically active at age 24 than

those who do not play sports.

• Participating in sports leads to immediate

psychological benets, and these can

continue even after retirement from sports.

Economic and Community Impact

The benets of youth sports extend beyond the

eld and even beyond the participant.

• Participating in sports and physical activity

can lead to:

• A decrease in direct, indirect, and personal

health care costs (collectively, up to $28

billion per year)

45–47

• A stronger long-term labor market

48,49

Developed by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Science BoardBeneﬁts of Youth Sports

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