Sports have played a valuable role not only in my life, but the lives of countless children growing up. The question has always been, how do sports really affect students and specifically in the classroom? The reality is, sports can have major impacts on a child's life. Sports have shown to create and build necessary life skills, improve academic success, and create healthier lifestyles.

It is no secret that sports can play a major role in developing critical life skills. Many individuals, children in particular, do not consider themselves to be leaders. Our leadership qualities can be ingrained in us through sports. These qualities may include: positive reinforcement, listening skills, empathy, effective communication, and goal setting. It's necessary to follow at times and to lead at times in both sports and in life. Playing sports can help people gain the ability to distinguish themselves between functioning as a leader and as a follower (University of Kansas). All of these qualities are a good step in heading towards the right direction in life, and enabling more confidence in many people's lives. ¨Building confidence means taking small steps that leave a lasting sense of accomplishment.¨ (University of Kansas). Sports can help give someone the confidence that they may need. When there is confidence within themselves, that allows room for handling setbacks and failure in a much more positive way. Which is why engaging in sports provides valuable teachings in communication, persistence, and teamwork. 

Students who participate in sports activities have enhanced cognitive functioning and overall psychological well-being, which allows them to meet their demanding academic goals (Cole). Sports and activities are what develop the cognitive functioning of the brain, increasing the speed in which the brain can process and react to information. The brain's cognitive ability is directly linked to a student's academic performance (Cole) . ¨Since cognition is directly related to academic ability, its enhancement manifests great outcomes, such as improved grades and higher test scores.¨ (Cole). Therefore if a student is participating in sports and extracurricular activities, their brain and cognitive ability is benefiting greatly which will allow for an increase in academic success. 

Some of the most important life lessons are learned through playing sports, but playing sports also creates healthy habits that can create sustainable benefits throughout a person's life. It is no secret that physical activity is beneficial in every aspect of a person's life regardless of the age of the person. Sports not only benefit the long term physical health of students, but the mental and emotional health as well. Playing sports helps students learn to control their feelings and channel their negative energy in a positive way (Healthdirect). In sports sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, just like life. Playing these sports and experiencing the highs and lows that come with it can help students better prepare and learn how to handle these sorts of conflicts and adversities that will come their way. A boost in a student's self-esteem is also a result of playing sports. Sports have the ability to give a student a sense of belonging and worth that maybe that they haven't been able to feel in some aspects of their life. These are benefits that will positively affect a student not only during their school age years, but throughout the rest of their lives.

Just like everything in life, there are risks to playing sports. The most common risk and pushback from youth sports is the injuries that a child could face at an early age. Contrary to popular belief, dangerous and serious injuries are not a common occurrence in youth sports. According to Health Day News, only six-percent of high school sports injuries result in injuries and even a lower percentage are considered “traumatic”. Out of that six-percent the majority of those injuries come from three sports, basketball, football, and wrestling. If injury is the only concern from letting a child play sports, there are a number of sports that are non-contact with a very low injury risk. Along with the concern for injuries, a popular pushback and negative aspect of high school sports is the time it can take away from the classroom. It is no secret that both being a student and an athlete is a very time consuming lifestyle. Just like everything in life, creating a healthy balance of both and having your priorities straight is how you overcome this problem. No matter what, you are a student before an athlete and keeping the academics at the forefront is key in maintaining a healthy balance. 

In conclusion, sports have a positive impact on students. Although injuries and the time consumption create a pushback on the benefits of youth sports. With a healthy academic and sports balance, sports can have major impacts on a child's life. Sports have been demonstrated to help develop vital life skills, enhance academic achievement, and encourage a healthy lifestyle. 

Works Cited

Cole, Brian. ¨The Positive Impact of Sport on Education.¨ Sports Medicine Weekly 

Podcast, 2 February 2022, sportsmedicineweekly.com/sports/the-positive-impact-of-sport-on-education/#:~:text=Sports%20do%20not%20only%20help,them%20achieve%20ambitious%20academic%20goals. 

¨Developing Life Skills Through Sports.¨ Healthdirect, June 2022,

healthdirect.gov.au/developing-life-skills-through-sports 

Mann, Denise. ¨Which High School Sports Cause Kids the Most Injuries?¨ HealthDay, 7 

March 2023, usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-03-07/which-high-school-sports-cause-kids-the-most-injuries 

¨What Life Skills Can We Learn From Sports?¨ School of Education and Human 

Sciences, Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences, University of Kansas, 31 October 2022,  onlinesportmanagement.ku.edu/community/life-lessons-from-sports#:~:text=Important%20Life%20Lessons&text=Many%20people%2C%20especially%20kids%2C%20don,in%20the%20pursuit%20of%20goals