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Friday 15 October 2010

Young Teens Who Play Sports Feel Healthier and Happier About Life

Taking part in sports is good physically, socially, and mentally for 12 - 14 year olds!

New research shows that young teens who are physically active and play on sports teams are more satisfied with their life and feel healthier.

The 12- to 14-year-old boys and girls were asked to fill in questionnaires assessing their physical activity levels, their overall satisfaction with life and asking them to describe their own health.

In boys, participation in physical activity had no effect on either life satisfaction or self-rated health but with girls those who had taken part in activity in the last week were significantly more satisfied with their life compared to girls who had not, but it had no effect on their self-rated health.

Playing on a sports team was linked to higher life satisfaction in both boys and girls.




It makes me wonder if it is the actual physical activity that is creating the greater feelings of satisfaction, the winning, or just because the boys/girls are part of an in-group. Perhaps those not in sports are less likely to be part of an in-group.

In either case, Parents may find it better for their child to encouage sports and general physical activity to maintain life satisfaction. Makes sense. However, I remember being that age and, being the geek I am, greatly disliked any form of physical exercise. Would more PE have increased my life satisfaction?

Maybe, maybe not.

Link to article

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