Building Active Lifestyles to Last Lifetimes

The physical activity of organized sports provides health benefits for children and adolescents that may extend into their adult years. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that organized sports participation in adolescence “is associated with higher physical activity and better subjective health in young adulthood” (2019).

The AAP notes that organized sports participation may provide a decrease in overweight, obesity and cardiovascular risk in elementary schoolchildren. Children and adolescents who engage in physical activity such as sports may have improved overall mental health and increased feelings of emotional well-being. Sports participation also may have positive social benefits, such as enhancing an individual’s social identity and social adjustment.

Sports participation and its camaraderie can be an exciting, intense and emotional aspect of a young person’s life. As the AAP concludes, while the benefits are clear, sports participation also can lead to injury and is associated with such risks as burnout, team-related bullying and hazing, and the use of alcohol and performance-enhancing drugs.

Participation in youth sports is growing in the United States. Health-care providers can support young patients and their families in those healthy activities by being familiar with whether they participate in sports and providing information, encouragement and anticipatory guidance that aligns with their choices. Topics to discuss with children, adolescents and their families include:

• The benefits of sports participation
• Gauging sports readiness
• Getting proper sleep and rest
• Avoiding sports burnout and drop out
• Ensuring adequate nutrition
• Avoiding risky behaviors such as hazing and alcohol use
• Safety practices to protect against injury