The Health Benefits of Sports for Kids and Adults

Sports are physical games and competitive physical activities. That’s the main difference between recreational, leisure or social games. As a competitive venue, sports may develop skills essential to living healthy and satisfied lives. It’s the spirit of the game that compels participants to do their best and, ultimately, excel at the sport of their choice.

It was the passion of the Greeks and Romans for sports that first attracted their followers. The games they played were not spectator sports. They involved strenuous exercise and a wide range of physical disciplines. These sports also formed the basis of many of the institutions of higher learning in Western society. In fact, universities all over the world have been built on the academic foundations that the Greeks and Romans provided to sports.

Today, many people participate in organized sports as a hobby or for health reasons. The Olympic Games, considered the world’s largest sports event, began in Greece and continues today in Greece and Italy. The games involve sports that test the physical abilities of individuals such as weightlifting, swimming, fencing and gymnastics. For these games to be successful, the competing athletes need to be very dedicated to the sports they choose and must have a passion for the sport itself.

Children as young as four years old are able to play sports. High school sports include football, baseball, basketball, tennis and softball. College sports are different. College sports include football, basketball, hockey, volleyball, track and field and other athletic endeavors. College sports may include football, basketball, baseball, track and field and other athletic endeavors. College sports provide an outlet for fans to express themselves, meet other students and develop skills necessary for college and career success.

As a child grows into a teenager, sports may be more important to them. Teenagers spend a great deal of time playing sports. They may participate in recreational sports like basketball and soccer, but more than likely they also engage in professional sports like ice hockey or football. There are even teenagers who play sports not just for fun, but for profit – they may become coaches, trainers, or promote sports for a living.

There are many benefits to playing sports. Playing sports provides exercise and mental stimulation that helps children develop healthy behaviors and qualities such as self-confidence, motivation and teamwork. Many kids play sports because they love the competitive aspect of it. However, playing sports also provides a wide array of benefits that help an individual to mature into a better person, develop leadership skills and learn about the physical and mental needs of the human body and mind. Whether playing sports is for fun or as a way to exercise and compete, the benefits to the player and the overall health of the person playing sports far outstrip any gain in the health and wealth of the person simply enjoying the game.