Healthy Kids: Extracurricular sports

Author: WINK NEWS
Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Extracurricular sports have long been promoted as a way of keeping children healthy, but new research suggests they could also provide benefits in the classroom. Here to discuss this and more is Dr. Annette St. Pierre-Mackoul.
Benefits of extracurricular sports:

Direct association between physical activity and self-regulation.
Better at following directions.
Improved focus in the classroom.
Earlier involvement in sports = later involvement in sports.
Overall better behavior if involved in sports.
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Theory:

Specifically related to sporting environment.
Unique sense of belonging to a team.
Respecting rules.
Honoring responsibility.
Realizing the importance of these principles.
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Study Design:

Looked at Kindergarten to Fourth Grade.
2700 students studied.
? sports in kindergarten = discipline in 4th grade?
? kindergarten self-discipline = sports in 4th grade?
Information obtained from teachers and parents.
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Actual Numbers:

57 percent of children ages 6-17 are involved in sports.
Increased sports if parents are married.
Less involvement with single or cohabiting parents.
Teenagers who exercise like children are healthier.

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