Keeping children active as they grow from toddler to young adult can provide a wide range of health-advancing benefits. However, participation in sports does not come without risks, including injury and other consequences.
Lifesyle
Introducing youth to sports programs can go a long way in developing healthy activity into a permanent lifestyle. Children are motivated and influenced by those around them and are more likely to stick with a fitness program if they perceive it as fun and rewarding. Organizations like Marathonkids.org also promote activity and nutrition as a way to enhance social skills and bolster self-confidence.
Developing Self-Esteem and Social Skills
Participating in sports as a youth improves a child's communication and interpersonal skills, especially in a team atmosphere. The USA Triathlon Level 1 coaches manual devotes an entire chapter to coaching youth age-appropriately and stresses the importance of team-building, positive affirmations and good communication. It is more important for the child to feel like he belongs with the team, regardless of his coordination or skill level.
Skills and Coordination
Participation in sports as a youth should be treated as a means to develop basic skills and coordination, and not as a means of competition. Sports like baseball, cycling and soccer are beneficial for teaching safe hand-eye coordination as well as safety skills. These basic movements will continue to improve as the child grows older and develops physically and socially.
Competition Anxiety
Critics of youth sports say that the highly competitive nature of these activities can generate excessive anxiety. This may lead to poor performance both at play as well as affect sleep patterns, eating behaviors and schoolwork. If any are being compromised, the child may be under too much stress due to the activities.
Excessive Participation
Parents and coaches need to also be aware of the hazards of doing too much too soon. Participation in organized youth sports should complement other activities, including physical education and play during unstructured free time. Young athletes may become injured or burnt out as a result of excessive participation.
