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Importance of physical activity
Benefits of physical activity
Benefits of physical activity
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1 The affects on sport participation with regards to the absence of education
Coalter et al. (1994) illustrated that those who stayed in education after the minimal school leaving age had higher rates of sports participation than the school leavers. This statement inspired the author of this review to research, and essentially ascertain what implications and constraints occur in an adolescent and adult environment when considering participating in sport.
1.1 Benefits attained by society via exercise and sport
The Department of Health (2004) state in a recent report that Sport and physical activity can help decrease the likelihood of developing diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and type II diabetes by up to 50%, furthermore the report states that physical activity can reduce the risk of suffering a premature death by approximately 20-30%. These staggering statistics demonstrate the powerful impact physical activity can have in regards to combating health risks in the UK. The benefits to health that derive from adherence in physical activity and sport are overwhelming, however, health is not the only benefit to be obtained from an active society. Sullivan, C. (1998. cited in Collins and Kay, 2003) found that sport can help to encourage the growth of community, family and personal cohesion as well as help reduce intensity of youth delinquency. From the observations made in this paragraph it is feasible to suggest that having an active nation will result in a wide spectrum of benefits.
1.2 Current participation levels in the UK
Participation in sport, particularly in adults is shown to be rapidly decreasing. In The general Household Survey (2002, cited in National statistics) it was discovered that with the exclusion of walking, only 43% of the population had participated in some form of exercise in the four weeks prior to the research interview. It is accepted with recent statistics that participation rates in the UK are not adhering to the advised five times a week from the Department of Health, the author feels this is a worrying reality as there are many health implications resulting from a national neglect towards exercise.
2 Obesity levels in the UK suggest decreasing level in participation
The following statistic helps to depict the current situation in regards to obesity levels in the UK. According to The Health Survey for England: Adult Reference Tables (1997, cited in The Department of Health) “Obesity has risen dramatically over the last five years - 17 per cent of men are now obese, compared with 13 per cent in 1993, and almost 20 per cent of women are now obese compared with 16 per cent in 1993.
Gatz, Margaret, Michael A. Messner, and Sandra Rokeach. Paradoxes of youth and sport. Albany: State University of New York, 2002.. 12-13.
Obesity is clinically defined as a body mass index (BMI) of above 30kg/m2 and is the accumulation of excess adipose tissue1. It is currently viewed as an epidemic due to the increasingly large proportion of adults who are now obese, with the incidence rapidly rising in the recent years. In a five year period from 1995-2000 there was a predicted increase of 100 million obese individuals world-wide 2. In UK it is estimated that over 25% of adult males and females are obese and it is thought that these figures will continually rise with estimations that 60% of adult men and 50% of adult woman with be obese by 2025.3 Being a huge burden on the NHS, it has been predicted that £5 billion a year is spent on preventing and treating the complications of excessive weight in the UK, which is almost 5% of the total NHS budget (£5billion/£108billion).4 The cost of obesity on the NHS will rise to correlate with the increasing incidence illustrated.
Participation in sports has proven to increase self-discipline and self-esteem, and can teach athletes to learn from their mistakes and move on (Issitt). Athletes playing team sports also develop the ability to work well with others and use teamwork in their everyday lives. Teammates form relationships that are strengthened over a common passion and goal. These relationships can last long after high school is over (Chen). These social skills translate into better communication used with an athlete’s family, peers, and in the community. Likewise, “A 2006 study in Maryland found that student athletes are 15 percent more likely than non athletes to be involved in their communities and to take the time for civic engagements, including participating in voting and volunteer activities” (Issitt). The same study also concluded that athletes are far more likely to be comfortable with public speaking than non-athletes. This study provides concrete evidence that high school sports can help to gain mental and social skills that will be used later in life
Participating in a sport at an early age can be essential to the overall growth process during a child’s upbringing. Whether the participation is through some sort of organized league or just getting together amongst friends and playing, the lessons learned from this can help teach these kids and provide a positive message to them as they develop. There is a certain point, however, when organized sports can hinder progress, which is when adults get too involved and forget about the underlying reason to why they are helping. While adult involvement is necessary, adult involvement can sometimes send the wrong message to children when they try to make participation become more than just about fun and learning. According to Coakley (2009), “organized sports are worth the effort put forth by adults, as long as they do what is in the best interest of their children and put that thought ahead of their own agenda” (Coakley, p. 151). This is a valid argument because once adults put themselves in front of the children and their values, it needs to be re-evaluated as to why they first got involved in the beginning. Partaking in organized sport and activity from a young age can be beneficial to the overall development of children, as long as decisions actions are made in the best interest of the children and not stemming from ulterior motives of adults.
Sports are a popular pastime among all ages and types of people. People not only participate in them for fun, but also for money, physical fitness, rush of competition, and for many other personal reasons. Playing sports is especially common among young people in schools. Athletics are great and enjoyable for many reasons, but there can be a point where sports participation can go too far and become negative for children and adults. Sports specialization for young people is an increasing trend that results in sports having a negative impact on individuals and society.
These days, there is too much pressure on children who participate in organized sports because of the unnecessary parental involvement they experience. A growing concern amongst those involved in youth sports is that certain aspects of parental involvement become detrimental to the development and experiences of young athletes. Early emphasis on winning, making money, and the disruption of education can exceedingly affect ones desire to further participate in a sport later on in his/her life.
The following essay explores the factors that have an impact on the development of individuals to promote long term involvement in sport and physical activity by reviewing a range of literature and sporting frameworks. It has been said that positive developmental outcomes have been experienced in young people who are actively engaged in sport. (Fraser-Thomas et al 2005) The factors that influence this positive development can have an impact on whether young people remain involved in sport long term.
In the U.S., sport is widely recognized as a tool of child development and health promotion; with 75% of parents of children in middle or high school saying they encourage participation (“Facts: Sports activity and Children”). This helps kids with health promotion and what your kid does to his body. People asked parents about playing sports positively and they said it helps them with physical health, giving the child something to do, teaching discipline or dedication, teaching how to get along with others, mental health, social life, skills to help in future schooling, and skills to help in a future career (“Facts: Sports activity and Children”). It helps kids with social life, mental health, and skills to help in future schooling. Many scientists say that physical activity can positively affect people’s self-esteem, goal setting, and leadership (“Facts: Sports activity and Children”).
For participating sport in general, referring to the research by Coakley, young women believe they were more likely to quit sport in their adulthood; one major reason being they did not define sport as a way with the process of becoming a woman. According to norms, majority of the women participated in the research believe sport was a low priority in their lives. Through the results it also suggested young men were much more likely to remain active participation in sport as it they see it as a reaffirmation of their manhood. (Coakley, 1992) Furthermore, the research has suggested the decision of active participation also relies on personal competence level, constraints related to money, parents and friends, and lastly information and encouragement received.
Over the past decades our culture has changes dramatically. To which our nation was once a physically active nation. Yet now it seems that society discourages physical activity. The human race has been dependent on automobiles, discouraging people to walk or bike, increasing the chance of a poor life-style. Yet there are many factors that affect the achievement and maintenance of a healthy life. Young people are growing into a diverse society, which is characterized by rapid change, inactive work and leisure practices that influence unhealthy behaviors. By incorporating physical activity into peoples daily routine will increase their chances of being healthier, reducing certain diseases and learning how to avoid injuries. Physical education helps students improve their knowledge about health issues and practices that will lead to a more enjoyable life. Students playing and working in a team together develop social skills, teamwork, achieving goals, and development of self-esteem. Overall physical education provides the potential for a better life style.
The benefits of youth sports participation are numerous. Development of sportsmanship skills, team spirit, socialization skills, and overall fitness and health are some of the wonderful advantages of having a child begin to participate in a sport at a young age. However, DiFiori (2014) discusses an unfortunate misconception some parents and coaches have of their child’s “readiness for sports”. He states this is the relationship between a child’s growth, development, and the demands or level of the sport regardless of their “chronological age”.
It has been known a proven fact that participation in high school sports encourages better moods, self-esteem, and a higher level of academic achievement. This has been proven through various studies, one of them being a study done in New York. In 2006, the Carnegie Corporation of New York discovered that students benefited from participating in high school sports. An improvement in grades, confidence, and personal health and welfare were appreciably noted in ...
To begin, compared to people who had not participated in sports, female high school athletes are less likely to have sexually activity, to use drugs, and be depressed ("Facts: Sports Activity and Children".) This is notable because it proves that sports are a good way to keep kids motivated on school and setting themselves up for a successful life. To add on, students who participated in high school athletics are more likely to attend colleges and get degrees ("Facts: Sports Activity and Children"). This proves that sports keep kids motivated on the later life by focusing them on school, which will then help them later in life. Last of all, Children between the ages of 8 and 18 spend on average 7 and a half hours using entertaining media including televisions, computers, video games, phones, and other electronics in a normal day.
According to the Center For Parent/Youth Understanding(CPYU) nearly thirty-six million children ages six to seventeen in the United States participate in team sports which is seventy-four percent of today’s youth. Most students play a sport to have fun; however, students begin to drop out of athletics as they age. A Michigan State Youth Sports Institute survey showed that seventy percent of young athletes will drop out of sports before turning thirteen(CPYU, 1). Teenagers start to pursue
"Does Participation in Sports Keep Teens Out of Trouble?" ModernMom.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014.