Brisbane, Australia – A recent study led by researchers from the University of Queensland has unveiled a compelling connection between regular participation in sports during childhood and improved long-term mental health in adolescents. The study, spearheaded by Associate Professor Asad Khan from UQ’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, analyzed data from over 4,200 Australian children across an eight-year period, sourced from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children.
Dr. Khan stated, “Consistent engagement in sports activities from an early age has a positive association with the mental well-being of adolescents.”
The research explored the advantages of both team sports such as football, cricket, or netball, and individual sports like karate, tennis, or gymnastics. Remarkably, it was observed that regardless of the type of sport, there was a notable positive impact on mental health. However, children participating in team sports experienced even greater benefits.
Dr. Khan speculated on the reasons behind this phenomenon, noting, “This could be attributed to the social elements inherent in team sports, such as the presence of supportive peers, opportunities for building friendships, and collaborative goal-setting.”
In Australia, statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveal that approximately 14 percent of children aged four to eleven grapple with a mental disorder, with boys more commonly affected than girls.
The study further revealed that children who tend to internalize their emotions and encounter difficulties in socializing with peers significantly benefit from engaging in team sports.
While the research demonstrated positive outcomes for both boys and girls, it also highlighted the need to encourage greater participation of girls in team sports, especially at a younger age.
Dr. Khan emphasized this point, stating, “At the ages of six and seven, approximately 59 percent of boys participated in team sports, whereas only 26 percent of girls did.”
He added, “We found that boys who engaged in team sports encountered fewer psychosocial difficulties and enjoyed better health-related quality-of-life, whereas the benefits of team sports participation were somewhat lower among girls.”
Several factors could contribute to the lower involvement of girls in team sports, such as self-belief and confidence in sporting abilities, the perception of team sports as male-dominated activities, limited opportunities for girls to partake in team sports, or the lack of diversity in sports offered within schools and extracurricular programs.
Dr. Khan expressed his hope that this research would guide strategies aimed at promoting children’s participation in sports, particularly focusing on understanding and addressing the factors that deter young girls from engaging in team sports.
The findings from this research have been published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, shedding light on the valuable role of sports in nurturing the mental well-being of future generations in Australia.
