Physical, Psychological and Social Benefits of Participation in Youth Sports for Children Ages 9-12 Years

Abstract

Youth sports differ from physical activity due to the fact that they are organized and help teach life lessons through interaction with other children, teach responsibility, and commitment. It has grown vastly over the years ranging in multiple sports and many studies found that participating in youth sports is beneficial to a developing child and it could potentially help prevent the child obesity pandemic. For example, youth sport programs can provide children and youth with opportunities to be physically active such as organized practice, training and scrimmage which will lead to improved physical health. In addition, youth sport programs have long been considered significant to children and youth’s development psychosocial aspects (e.g., cooperation, teamwork, discipline, leadership, and self-control). Furthermore, females who participate in youth sport have become a particular interest to sports science, motor development, and youth sport researchers. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to review the literature on physical, psychological, and social benefits of children participating in youth sports. The particular age range that was focused on in this paper was children ages 9-12 who participate in youth sports.