EL1 Sports’ Post

A new study by Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) further proves that girls' participation in sports positively impacts their mental health! The foundation also emphasizes the importance of core ZGiRLS teachings such as learning to advocate for yourself and developing a growth mindset. Sports Participation Can Lower Depression and Anxiety ⚡ Mental health disorders are 1.5 to 2.5 times lower for girls who play sports vs those who never played. ⚡ 29% of girls who never played sports have moderate-to-high levels of depression symptoms vs. 17% of girls who currently play. ⚡ 21% of girls who never played sports have moderate-to-high levels of anxiety symptoms vs. 11% of girls who currently play. Sports Participation Has Promotive and Protective Benefits ⚡ Girls who play sports report 1.5 times higher levels of meaning and purpose compared to those who never played. ⚡ In sport settings that focus on effort, improvement, and teamwork, depression symptoms are significantly lower (3%) vs. settings where winning is the main goal and success is defined by ability compared to others (24.7%.) ⚡ In sport settings where girls have more “voice and choice” over goals and activities, depression symptoms are significantly lower (4%) vs. settings where they don’t have that opportunity (35.1%.) When we empower girls with inclusive and healthy opportunities to participate in sports, everyone wins!

In recent decades, an increased drop-out rate in youth sports has raised major concerns among parents, coaches, and youth sports organizations. Youth sports participation offers children powerful physical and mental health benefits, including lower sedentary levels and a greater likelihood of adopting active lifestyles that carry into adulthood. Research also shows that sports involvement during childhood has been linked to a reduced risk of mental health concerns, whereas disengagement from sports as early as ages 8 to 10 has been associated with greater psychological difficulties, such as increased internalizing problems like anxiety and depression. Beyond health benefits, youth sports play an essential role in developing key life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Despite these benefits, a significant number of youth athletes are choosing to drop out, with burnout emerging as one of the primary reasons. Burnout in young athletes can be defined as a state of mental or physical exhaustion, combined with a reduced sense of accomplishment that ultimately leads them to devalue themselves and their place in the sport. This burnout not only interrupts a child’s sports journey but also stands in the way of long-term health benefits that consistent physical activity provides. Addressing this issue involves creating supportive sports environments that emphasize fun, skill-building, and positive experiences—allowing young athletes to thrive without the mental and physical toll. What are your thoughts on the rising dropout rate in youth sports, and how can we support young athletes' development while prioritizing their mental well-being? References: https://lnkd.in/g8qujcVT https://lnkd.in/gpvTEDYN https://lnkd.in/gjmV9quK

Take a look at this insightful piece on the vital role sports play in supporting kids' mental health, especially during challenging times. This is why we are here, we understand the positive powers sports has and we are dedicated to providing opportunities for all youth to experience the positive impact of sports. Read more about the importance of accessible sports programs and how they can help our children thrive.

The Women's Sports Foundation released this incredible report today titled “Thriving Through Sport.” After reading through the work, two of the key findings really stood out to me. First, the statistics regarding youth sports involvement for girls with intersectional identities and/or marginalized communities was staggering. The lack of access and ongoing trends of inequity still need to be at the forefront of our minds. Additionally, the takeaway that sports sampling leads to better mental health outcomes than specialization stood out. The emphasis on one-sport athletes has been a toxic trend and expectation put upon “the best” athletes in my generation and beyond. However, that kind of pressure and lack of freedom can deteriorate a young person, both mentally and physically. Encouraging multisport participation must be a goal of every youth sports stakeholder. I’d recommend anyone interested in the development and support of youth sports and specifically girls in sports check out the executive summary and infographic detailing the findings.

Sports offers lifelines for Kids' Mental Health. The pandemic was a challenging time, and in an article by Allison Torres Burtka, showed that participation in sports can help mitigate some of these stressors. Thankfully, those times are behind us, but it still offers some really important insights. It’s a great read with some fantastic organizations doing the groundwork. What the author really underscores is the importance of making a wide variety of sports accessible to all children. Here are some of the key takeaways from the article: • Youth who participated in sports during the pandemic reported lower levels of depression, loneliness, and self-derogation . • Sports participation declined for both boys and girls during the pandemic, but declines were particularly steep among Hispanic and Black youth, youth in urban areas, and 12th graders. • Programs that directly address mental health and create spaces can be especially beneficial for young athletes. • Expanding access to a wider variety of sports and encouraging sports sampling can help more kids find enjoyment and mental health benefits in sports. Build Through Sport is dedicated to providing opportunities for all youth to play sports and experience the positive impact it has on their mental and physical health. We can all play a role in advocating for and providing more sports opportunities for kids.

Parenting During Sport: How to Help your Child Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club striker, Evan Ferguson, talks about his father's behaviour on the sideline and how this benefitted him as a junior player. We know that drop out is high among adolescents and parents can contribute to this. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 A recent systematic review and meta-analysis by Back et al. (2022) reported the parents and the relationship that a parent has with his or her child influenced drop out. A systematic review, with meta-analysis, of 10 studies revealed that 23.9% of adolescent soccer players drop out on an annual basis (Møllerløkken et al., 2015). The authors of the systematic review reported that this number is relatively stable during adolescence, but that the dropout rates are higher for female (26.8%) than male (21.4%) adolescent soccer players. These dropout rates were similar to another study by Baron-Thiene and Alfermann (2015), who reported a dropout rate of 29.6% among elite German athletes. Interestingly, dropout rates were also higher for female and individual sport athletes. It appears that adolescents do not make a ‘snap-shot’ decision to drop out. Dropping out of sport is a process, and may be multifaceted (Rothwell et al., 2020). In this process the adolescent athlete would make an ongoing cost-benefit evaluation of participating in their sport, which could involve an analysis of weighing up a lack of playing time (cost) with the amount of improvement that has been made (benefit: Fraser-Thomas et al. 2008). An important reminder for parents to consider their behaviour and the impact it may have on their children.

Team sports are more than just games – they’re a lifeline for kids’ mental health. 🧠⚾ A recent New York Times article highlights the positive impact of sports on kids' mental well-being. However, we must ensure that these benefits are accessible to all kids, not just those who can afford the high costs of travel teams. 💡 While travel organizations play an important role for families who have the means and kids with the desire to compete nationally, not every family is in that position – and that’s okay. That’s why we’re stepping up. At NAFBF-NC, we provide: ✅ Affordable, local sports opportunities for families who want to stay closer to home. ✅ The Complete Athlete Development Program, focusing on skills, mental health, and personal growth – both on and off the field. Every child deserves the chance to grow, learn, and thrive through sports, regardless of their circumstances. 💪 Let’s make sports accessible and impactful for every community! 📢 How can we work together to ensure no child is left out of the game? Drop your thoughts below or reach out – we’d love to connect! #YouthSports #MentalHealth #Accessibility #CompleteAthlete #SportsForAll #NAFBF #CommunityImpact #AthleteDevelopment https://lnkd.in/en6Qd4sf

#TakeActionTuesday: It’s #DisabilityPrideMonth, a time to honor the history, achievements and challenges faced by the disability community. 2X Paralympic snowboard gold medalist and WSF Travel & Training Fund grant recipient Brenna Huckaby PLY lost her leg to cancer at the age of 14 but that didn’t deter her from participating in the sport she loves. “Disability Pride Month to me, is a reminder of the incredible strength that comes from self-acceptance.” said Huckaby in a recent post to her Instagram. Her journey from a young girl navigating hardships on and off the slopes, to a world-class snowboarder, highlights the need for inclusive sports and recreational physical activity opportunities for young athletes with disabilities. Our recently-published Thriving Through Sport report highlights that girls with disabilities who are active in sports experience lower levels of depression and anxiety, along with higher levels of peer relationships, meaning, and purpose compared to their peers who do not play sports. These findings emphasize the importance of inclusive sports programs for girls, so we can see more athletes like Brenna reach their full athletic potential and #KeepPlaying. #TheEquityProject Your Turn: 1. Check out our latest research report ‘Thriving Through Sport’ at the link in our bio, which shows that sports provide a boost to mental health for all girls from all backgrounds across race, family income, parent education, sexual identity, and disability status. https://lnkd.in/eweX7zNg 2. Celebrate Disability Pride Month by supporting athletes with disabilities, listening to their stories and amplifying their voices. 3. Research local inclusive sports programs in your area and advocate for more opportunities for athletes with disabilities within your community.

"Burnout in youth sports is a complex issue influenced by early specialization, excessive participation demands, insufficient rest, and the stressors of adolescence. As these factors converge, they create an environment ripe for burnout, which can significantly impact long-term participation rates. Addressing these challenges requires a shift toward a more balanced approach in youth sports—one that promotes diverse experiences, emphasizes the importance of rest, and supports athletes in managing the stresses of adolescence." "Promoting Well-Being in Youth Sports: Addressing Burnout Causes" by @kimberlybrancato https://lnkd.in/gefiRRYu

Sports offer benefits that girls may miss out on. “A shocking 2022 survey by Women in Sport reported that over 1 million adolescent girls (43%) who previously considered themselves sporty stopped playing sports during middle school.” “Sports are also incredibly beneficial for mental health, with research showing participation can improve mood and ease stress. For example, a 2019 study found that kids who played team sports had fewer mental health difficulties. And a 2022 study found that playing sports in adolescence is linked to developing and sustaining "grit" throughout one's life." https://lnkd.in/earabNA3