Supporting Youth Sports Supports Healthy Kids

During the height of the pandemic, when youth sports were largely shut down, children spent less time physically active and many experienced poor mental health. Of course, there are many factors beyond youth sports that contributed to declining youth mental health. However, by eliminating youth sports, the pandemic helped remind us of how valuable they truly are to developing physically and emotionally healthy children. With a new school year underway, we should recognize the benefits of youth sports and organized physical activity to the mental and physical health of children.

Sports can play an important role for children. Whether a child is a star athlete or playing sports for fun or exercise, sports teach kids many valuable lessons that they can carry through life.  

Participation in youth sports provides children with an essential opportunity for meaningful and engaging exercise, which improves numerous aspects of their physical health, including bone health, cardiorespiratory strength, and muscular fitness. In addition, youth sports activity has been linked to improved mental, emotional, and social health.

From a physical health standpoint, youth sports teach children how to exercise in a healthy and responsible way. They learn the importance of stretching and proper hydration. They see the connection between physical fitness and improved performance.

Organized sports are also group activities that compel a child to participate and play alongside other children and help them learn essential team-building skills that are necessary life as they transition into adulthood. Learning to be a part of a team and healthy competition are helpful lessons for life. Teams also teach children to subvert their individual interests to pursue collective goals. We all need to learn how to lift up our peers and how to be receptive to encouragement from others. We all need to learn how to lead and how to be a part of a team. We all need to learn how to work together and to support each other in that work.

Participation in youth sports can be costly. Families may have to pay for equipment or pay registration fees for leagues or tournaments. Parents also must make time to bring children to practices and games. For some parents, the costs and time may be barriers to children participating in sports.

At Kaiser Permanente, we recognize the important role that sports and active lifestyles can play for children, particularly in their health and development. We view supporting and expanding access to sports for kids as part of our mission to improve health for the people and communities we serve.

Here in the Mid-Atlantic States, we don’t just support the children who play sports – we are partners for the entire family. We have a dedicated website that offers guidance for parents regarding proper nutrition and sleep for young athletes as well as knowledge for treating sports injuries. We provide scholarships that make it possible for children from resource-challenged families to participate in their chosen sports.

This fall, as part of our mission to improve the health of the people and communities we serve, we are supporting youth sports teams across our region. We understand that being a sports family can be time- and energy-consuming. We are here as partners to make sure that participating in youth sports is as easy and enjoyable – and healthy – an experience as possible.

After a summer of physical activity and outdoor play, students are heading back indoors as a new academic year begins. Youth sports are much more than simple recreational activities for children. They have immediate physical and emotional benefits for children, and they are instrumental in helping children develop lifelong healthy habits.