The Impact Of Youth Sports

The book "The Young Athlete" reports that approximately thirty million children participate in some type of competitive or recreational sport. Youth sports can have a great impact on a child --- both positively and negatively. Before allowing your child to become involved in a youth sport, it is important to understand both sides.

Improvement in Mental Development

According to the NCPAD, youth sports can impact a child's mental and social development. Through sports, a child can learn how to deal with disappointment and success. In addition, youth can learn how to socialize with other children and adults. In return, a child figures out how to work as part of a team and learns how to share and respect others. Children can also experience a higher self-esteem and self-image from sports involvement.

Behavior Improvements

The book, "The Young Athlete" explains that youth sports can help improve a child's behavior. Children who participate in youth sports are not as likely to smoke, become pregnant or drop out of school. In addition, active children tend to experience less depression. Sports can also help improve concentration, making studying and schoolwork easier. In addition, sports can help relieve pent up stress from the physical and mental exertions that can accumulate throughout the day.

Physical Impact Dangers

Some high-contact sports, such as soccer, can actually be hazardous to a child's cognitive and brain development. Repeated head contact with objects can cause difficulty with a variety of brain functions. Children can suffer from memory difficulties and poor performance on tests and school work. In addition, youth sports can result in concussions, a potentially dangerous condition that causes fatigue, amnesia, confusion, nausea, slurred speech and even seizures.

Stress

Although youth sports can often times be an outlet for daily stress, the FamilyResource website warns that they can also be the cause of it. Organized sports can become competitive, resulting in burnout. Coaches and parents can apply unnecessary pressure on a child, instilling a "must-win" attitude that can be overwhelming. In addition, overtraining, spending little time just playing and socializing with other children or excessive travel can become stressful and difficult for a child.