A recent study, led by researchers from the University of Queensland, sheds light on the positive impact of early sports participation on the long-term mental health of children. Associate Professor Asad Khan, hailing from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, spearheaded this research endeavor, which scrutinized data collected from over 4,200 Australian children over an eight-year period as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.

The findings of this study emphasize the significant role sports play in nurturing adolescents’ mental well-being. Dr. Khan highlights that consistent engagement in sports during childhood, whether it’s team sports like football, cricket, or netball, or individual pursuits like karate, tennis, or gymnastics, correlates positively with mental health outcomes in adolescence.

Interestingly, while both team and individual sports offer advantages, participation in team sports seems to yield even greater benefits. The social elements inherent in team sports, such as the camaraderie among peers, the chance to forge friendships, and working collectively towards common goals, contribute to these enhanced outcomes.

It’s worth noting that approximately 14 percent of children aged four to eleven in Australia grapple with mental disorders, with boys typically being more affected than girls, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The study’s results underscore the particular advantages of team sports for children who may struggle with internalizing their emotions and face challenges in socializing with their peers.

Dr. Khan also points out that while both boys and girls benefit from participating in sports, there is a notable disparity in participation rates between the two genders, especially in team sports. Encouragingly, 59 percent of boys engage in team sports at ages six and seven, compared to only 26 percent of girls. This gender gap suggests a need to encourage more girls to participate in team sports from a young age.

The reasons for this discrepancy are multifaceted and may include issues related to self-confidence, stereotypes surrounding sports, limited opportunities, and the range of sports offered in schools and extracurricular programs. Dr. Khan hopes that this research will serve as a foundation for devising strategies to promote greater sports participation among children and to delve further into the factors influencing girls’ participation in team sports. The research outcomes have been published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, providing valuable insights into the intersection of sports and mental health for children.

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Photo Courtesy The University of Queensland

Courtesy The University of Queensland