Research Shows Youth Sports Boost Mental Health

Unrivaled Sports

Sticking with youth sports pays off.

Quitters never win. Analyzing data from the National Sports and Society Survey, researchers found long-term youth sports participation boosts adult mental health.

Of ~4K adults, those who played sports through age 18 displayed the least depression and anxiety symptoms. But, dropping out led to worse outcomes than never playing at all, with researchers concluding:

“It is not a simple story of playing sports is good for kids. It is complicated by whether kids stick to playing sports and the reasons why they do.”

High stakes. As youth leagues grow more professionalized, kids are having less fun.

Nearly half said lack of enjoyment drove them to quit followed by lack of natural talent, unaffordability, and injury; 8% reported abuse by a coach.

Calling for change, the US Olympic commission wants the US government to monitor participation, award grants, make entry fees tax-deductible, and incentivize parent volunteers.

Hands in. Redesigning the youth sports journey, new orgs hope to support kids holistically.

  • Launched in March, Unrivaled Sports has acquired a portfolio of leagues and properties — from soccer to action sports.
  • Partnering with adidas, Tonal, and Spanx, League One Volleyball is fostering the next generation of players.
  • A content-led resource for parents, Youth Inc. secured $4.5M in May.

A delicate balance, programs should support kids’ dreams, but prepare them for the reality that the odds of going pro are ~2.5%.

Takeaway: Pro ambitions or not, making sure kids enjoy sports—and aren’t scarred by them—increases their likelihood of becoming physically and mentally healthy adults.

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