In March 2023, the JAMA Journal of Psychiatry published the results of a decades-long study at the University of Rotterdam investigating the long-term benefits of sports and physical activity on young children and their mental health later in life. The authors determined that participating in sports at a young age results in positive self-esteem and a better self-image in later life.
The study authored by a group of researchers followed 4,216 children (50 percent were girls), interviewing them at ages six, 10, and 13 years old to assess psychiatric symptoms and neurobiological mechanisms of the brain. The researchers also assessed sleep patterns, diet/nutrition, and recreational screen time.
When researchers compared children who participated in sports versus those that did not, those who participated reported more positive self-esteem and a better body image.
Of course, most parents already know that sports are good for their kids! But what they may not have appreciated is that the value of participating in sports endures for many years that follow, benefiting their children for years to come, especially during those challenging teen years. Parents can use sports to help their children improve their mental resiliency and social success for life - setting them up for life.
SO, WHAT'S MISSING?
Making sure kids and youth try and stay in sports is just half the battle. In truth, the crisis in Canadian youth sports has as much to do with the prevalence of abuse, racism, sexism, and bullying. What is the point of making sports more affordable and inclusive if the young athletes themselves come out of the system worse off, not better?
3/p to the rescue
By design, the Player Performance Platform takes on the crisis in youth sports, acting as a new source of neuroscience-based principles, strategies, and interventions for both players and coaches to adopt with confidence. Unlike any other program in the world, 3/P's brain-first approach to educating athletes and coaches promises to change the culture of youth sports by offering an alternative to badly outdated attitudes and practices .
Ready to try the Player Performance Program? Register your team to participate in our beta program!