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Title [Voices of Youth] Youth Physical Development: Positive Impact of Sports

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  • Date
    26-11-2021
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Photo by Chang Duong on UnsplashPhoto is not directly related to writing.

Romee Giri


Romee Giri (28) from Nepal was a Ceremonial Ambassador and speaker for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Flaming Event. Currently she has graduated from Seoul National University (Dream Together Master Program- Sports Management) and is a 4th Dan Taekwondo practitioner. 


Youth and sports have become key aspects of present society. Sports have played many positive roles in the day-to-day life of youths. For children and adolescents, the perceived and objective advantages of sports involvement are many and cover various domains, including physical development.


Acquiring a key sports skill at a young age increases the chance of future engagement in relevant activities as the young person matures(Hedstrom R, Gould D, 2004). However, it is found that, sports participation rates for suburban kids tend to be lower than the Kids of urban; Likewise, urban and rural females participate substantially less than boys of the same residential status. Furthermore, compared to boys of the same age, girls from a range of various ethnic origins report lower levels of exercise (Women’s Sports Foundation, (2009). Sports can play a positive role and encourage gender equal participation with respect and equality. Youth participation in sports can influence boys and girls to continue engaging in health related lifestyles and impact their physical health. (Women’s Sports Foundation, 2009).


Similarly, while talking about benefits there is a high possibility for physically active kids to have low body fat because of regularity in exercises, stronger bones and muscles which leads to strong stamina. There are very low chances of cardiovascular and other diseases which results in a positive health outcome. Better control leads to better coordination and balance in life and bodies easily becomes possible.


Youth sports culture and recreation should be an integral component of children's life. Sport is a great way to get some exercise, make new friends, and acquire new abilities in a variety of areas. Fostering exercise is important to children's health and well-being. The numerous health advantages of rigorous physical activity for children of all ages are widely recognized. When kid sports are centered on basics, they encourage physical exercise while still being enjoyable for the young player. A pleasant childhood sports experience requires a combination of variables, such as matching the child's preparedness with the demands of the sport, positive conduct from coaches and parents, realistic goal setting, and proper injury reduction and management approach. In addition, sports attrition must be reduced to sustain sports engagement and facilitate physical activity throughout adulthood (Daniel J. McDonough, Wenxi Liu, Zan Gao, 2020). It indicates that having fun while building a balance between physical fitness, well-being, and lifetime learning for a healthy and active lifestyle are crucial ways to attain life goals (Daniel J. McDonough, Wenxi Liu, Zan Gao, 2020).


Conclusively, we can say that involvement in sports have all kind of physical benefits such as good immune system that leads to healthy physical lifestyles with low possibilities of diseases at adulthood. A longer, healthier and enjoyable life is possible after active participation in physical activity. To add on, sports also teaches important values. In sports, winning and losing is so common that this experience allows youth to easily cope with such situation in the future. Sports  prepare them to develop coping strategies at very early age so they can handle tough situation beautifully. Eventually, the positive impact of sports can contribute in developing both the body and mind of youths.



Note: I disclose no conflict of interest in this paper



References

Daniel J. McDonough, Wenxi Liu, Zan Gao.(2020). "Effects of Physical Activity on Children’s         Motor Skill Development: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials", BioMed Research International, vol. 2020, Article ID 8160756, 14 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8160756

Hedstrom R, Gould D. (2004). Research in Youth Sports: Critical Issues Status, White Paper   Summaries of the Existing Literature East Lansing, MI: Institute for the Study of Youth  Sports, Michigan State University.

Women’s Sports Foundation. (2009). Women’s Sports and Fitness Facts and Statistics.Benefits  of sport: the universal truths 

 

※ Views in this writing are the author's own.