Why Playing Sports Can Set You Up for Success Later in Life
The primary priorities of parenting are straightforward: keeping children safe and equipping them with every chance to succeed in life. This success is complex in nature, encompassing much more than grades on a report card; it’s a tapestry of life lessons developed in youth, including academic achievement, social and mental growth, physical health, community involvement, and the critical foundation of confidence, all hallmarks of a successful, happy, and fulfilling adulthood.
While no guaranteed formula can ensure success for our children, some activities and opportunities may increase your child’s chances of learning these life lessons in a fun environment. Participation in youth sports is one such opportunity.
Study after study over the past few decades demonstrates that the life lessons learned while being part of a sports team can help children and teens develop traits linked to future success, including skills needed in the work world, in relationships, and as contributing members of the community. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways that playing sports can set a child up for success in life.
Sports Help Develop Traits Linked to Success
While there may be many ways to define success, our examination of sports and success will focus on personal growth, emotional well-being, and giving back to one’s community. It may also be defined by more tangible accomplishments, such as earning a degree or getting the job of your dreams.
To succeed in the realms of work, family, and relationships, one should possess traits such as mental toughness or “grit,” commitment, goal-setting, and discipline.
Mental Toughness
A 2022 study completed by Ohio State’s Center for Human Resource Research looked at the development of grit in youth sports. Emily Nothnagle, lead author of the study, explained that, “Kids who participate in sports learn what it is like to struggle as they learn new skills, overcome challenges and bounce back from failure to try again. The grit they develop playing sports can help them for the rest of their lives.”
Goal Setting Skills
Setting a goal and finding a way to accomplish it in the face of adversity is a valuable skill. After setting a goal, an athlete knows to work hard to reach it or change course to adapt to challenges.
A 2014 study by Kniffin, Wansink, and Shimizu examined how participation in high school sports correlated with a person’s behaviors and accomplishments later in life, specifically how they set goals and achieve them as leaders. One of the study’s findings examined how hiring managers prefer hiring student athletes, as they tend to exhibit skills and traits that give them a competitive advantage.
Commitment
Student athletes know that being involved in a sport is a huge time commitment, including practices, pre- and post-season training, and, of course, games. Successful student athletes know that sticking with a sport through wins and losses is not only a commitment to the team but also to themselves. This skill cannot be taught in a classroom but can be learned firsthand through dedication to a sport, a team, and the love of the game.
In the workforce, commitment can translate into better productivity in the industry. According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, physically active youth sport athletes go on to become adults who are more productive at work, have 7-8% higher annual earnings, and have lower levels of depression.
Long-Term Physical Benefits
Playing a sport doesn’t just teach young athletes skills they will carry with them through life, but also provides health benefits for years to come. Learning to enjoy physical activity will help them build strong bones and muscles and maintain cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children be physically active for at least 1 hour daily. Moreover, young athletes are far more likely to remain active as adults, setting them up for a lifetime of healthy living.
Mental Health Benefits
Participation in sports can improve self-esteem and confidence as young athletes develop their skills and grow amongst their respective teams. According to a 2020 study by the Office of Disease Prevention, youth sports also decrease the risk of depression and anxiety. Sports offer support, fellowship, and a healthy and effective outlet that young athletes can rely on. The community of friends found on a sports team allows for emotional growth each year of play.
Ultimately, the decision to enroll your child in youth sports is an investment not just in their present enjoyment, but in their future success. The valuable lessons of commitment, mental toughness, and teamwork learned on the field or court will follow them into the classroom, the workplace, and their personal relationships. By providing your child with the opportunity to play, you are equipping them with the physical health, emotional resilience, and competitive edge needed to lead a successful, well-rounded, and fulfilling adult life. So, encourage them to play what they love as the benefits last a lifetime.
The path to success starts here. Visit our site to learn more about how Club Sports Finder connects aspiring athletes with supportive teams, expert coaches, and valuable resources.
