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Blood, Sweat, and Tears

The thick, wet orb of tears swarmed my eyes, causing the stadium lights to create a

glittering, heavenly white glow. I was prideful, too prideful to allow myself to sulk in the

presence of my peers, so I took refuge behind my helmet. However, when I dragged my heavy

hanging head up, I was far from the only one. I stared into the dark blanket that covered the sky,

soaking it all in. It seemed as though a dark fog of realization and sadness had poured over my

30 or so teammates, specifically the seniors. For most of them, this was the last time they would

slide their pads on, strap up their helmet, and tie their cleats. We had just lost our playoff game,

consequently ending our season. I was a senior, and this meant it was onto the next chapter. The

feeling was surreal. Four years; four years of blood, sweat, and tears. Torn away, in what seemed

to be a blink of an eye.

Football had become a colossal part of my high school life, taking an immeasurable

amount of time and work from my teenage years. The bonds I had created with my teammates

was unlike others, we had created a sense of loyalty and trust amongst one another that was

incomparable. Football is an emotion encompassed sport, and after spending an extensive

amount of time with these people, we learned to have one another's backs, on and off the field.

With that being said, I learned a plethora of essential life lessons throughout my years of

participating in sports, which morphed me into who I am today.

Approximately 57% of high school students are student athletes, and the number

continues to gradually grow. Like me, countless students prioritize sports as paramount to most

things. As a student athlete, I feel football had a significant effect on various aspects of my life,

including making friends, staying active, finding something positive to dedicate my time to, and

much more. Above all else, participating in sports taught me life lessons unparallel to anything

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else. Thus, I aim to investigate: How does participation in sports positively affect a child's

behavior?

The plethora of benefits surrounding childhood engagement in sports begins with social

skills, the basic building blocks of everyday communication and relationships. The use of social

skills is an integral piece of everyday life. Before children can even utter words, they are taught

to communicate. Developing these necessary skills early on in life provides not only easier, but

also healthier relationships throughout. As children continue to morph into adults, it is essential

for them to learn fundamental abilities to socialize, as well as grasp the easiest techniques in

collaborating. In the world of communication, sports act as a superlative method of learning.

Thus, the predominant quality that sports influences is teamwork. According to The Australian

Government Department of Health, “Teamwork is all about collaborating with others to reach a

common goal. The diverse pairing of personalities and scenarios will help your athlete become

adaptable, persistent, and patient” (Health Direct). Utilization of teamwork will be an all too

familiar occurrence in life, included in scenarios of all sorts of the imagination. Nonetheless, the

preliminary attributes listed above become additional benefits ingrained into a child. For

instance, the ability to be adaptable proves to significantly correlate to life as a whole, for it is

unpredictable, and one must adapt to their surroundings. No one person is the same, creating

conflicting personalities, ideologies, etc. which can create friction when attempting to

collaborate. The knowledge of proper teamwork is a simple solution to these revolving problems.

The idea of clashing personalities introduces another obstacle, problem solving . Nobody

appreciates a nuisance, and in result, children can often become overwhelmed and distressed.

Problem solving in the world of sports is the name of the game. Subsequently, athletes grasp the

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correct ways to most efficiently solve said problem. In turn, they become more adaptable to an

issue at hand, and within a more practical headspace to tackle it.

However, teamwork is a large umbrella, overshadowing the equally valuable traits that go

hand in hand. “Through play with children their own age and older, children develop important

skills in problem solving, resolving conflict, sharing, kindness and empathy. With younger

children, they have the opportunity to develop leadership and responsibility skills, and adopt a

mentoring role.” (Maslen). Children can often have a deep resentment for sharing, holding even

a single toy close to their hearts. Although, when they are put into a game, one in which sharing

is not only a means to win, but a necessity, they can swiftly transform their resentment into a

cordial habit. Accompanied with sharing comes kindness and empathy, two extremely admirable

qualities to have. Being empathetic coincides with everyday life, creating more opportunities for

close knit relationships.

The bonds created within an organized team is unlike any other, each individual putting

in time, blood, sweat, and tears for the common goal. In order to become a successful team, trust

is crucial. This trust goes beyond the game, tightening these bonds in everyday life. These tools

directly correlate to more positive interactions, because the ability to have successful interactions

on an everyday basis is exceptionally important. With that being said, these traits are all

components to superior behavior in the classroom, and a more positive educational experience.

According to a comprehensive investigation conducted by The National Library of Medicine,

children who participate in physical activities demonstrate heightened concentration, attention,

and improved behavior within the classroom (Maslen). Adolescents equipped with these qualities

are likely to be more confident, not only with themselves, but approaching situations requiring

them. In an interview, decorated physical education teacher Steven Nguyen, presents the shifts in

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behavior from his point of view. “Children can focus better, listen, and behavioral issues are less

in the classroom when physical activity is conducted prior.” Working with children on a daily

basis, it is easy for Nguyen to tell when something is off, which is common when cooped up

inside for too long. “When children do not get to have outside time due to the rain or weather,

you can see the difference in their behavior and mental state,” Nguyen said. Testifying to this,

after physical activity, he describes the children having “high focus energy, being in better

moods, and retention to learning is higher.” The contrast in behavior between the two is clear,

physical activity creates a more nourishing environment in the classroom.

Perhaps the most substantial component of behavior is rules, and enforcing proper

structure in a child’s life. Much like the real world, an organized competitive game has a distinct

set of rules, ones that cannot be broken without consequence. These rules set a certain

expectation of proper behavior for children, one that translates to outside society. Furthermore,

the coaches who enforce said rules are viewed as an authority figure, one who requires respect.

Consequently, adolescents learn the significance of respecting authority, and trusting them. This

structure in a child's life promotes a sense of self regulation and control, and respect for

boundaries.

Achieving proper social skills is merely scratching the surface of the benefits of sports. A

greater long term advantage incorporated is coping with certain emotions. Oftentimes one can

find themselves having difficulty controlling their emotions, letting them run wild in their mind.

A sufficient suppressant for this is sports. The emotions entrenched in a competitive game are

that of a broad spectrum. A player can frequently become engulfed into the game and many

times overwhelmed. An athlete submerged in negative emotion will be affected both

psychologically and physiologically. In turn, they must learn to regulate their emotions.

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“Using sports to control aggression is more effective than verbal therapy, because while verbal

therapy encourages children to control their behavior, research indicates that it does not reduce

negative emotions.” (Naurt). Not only do they give children the experience to properly control

their emotions, they provide an outlet to release those negative emotions. This promotes a

healthier mindset and an overall more positive experience. Speaking of a healthier mindset,

physical activity releases chemicals into the brain which have a direct correlation to heightened

happiness. “Exercise positively impacts levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mental

health, and stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which improves mood” (Sabistan).

Additionally, during exercise the body releases natural ‘happy chemicals’, known as endorphins,

and reduces production of the stress hormone cortisol. When dopamine is manufactured in the

brain, it results in a stimulating, euphoric wave over the body. Essentially, our brains are our

bodies' personal pharmacy. These chemicals are the ingredients to a nourishing headspace, and a

more positive mindset. Unfortunately, the abuse of drugs and alcohol also releases these

intoxicating chemicals. However, this results in sports inadvertently preventing relapse. In fact, a

multitude of studies determined regular physical activity can promote abstinence in substance

abuse by nearly 95%. (Department of Sport). Why this is important should be self explanatory.

Unlike substance abuse, exercise provides a safe and beneficial alternative for those looking for a

dopamine fix.

Additionally, in David Rocco’s Sports In Adolescence, it is expressed that collaborative

sports promote feelings of belonging, enjoyment, and achievement. (Ketchum). A child's sense

of belonging is pivotal to finding their sense of self, and it helps elevate enjoyment of life.

However, not all moments in sports are joyous. Losing in something deeply cared about can be

crushing and even demoralizing. But, being deemed a “sore loser” is deplorable. In good news,

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“Experts agree that losing at sports, no matter how unending, can allow children to learn from

failure. Losing all the time builds philosophy, camaraderie, sportsmanship and the idea of

athletics as a series of incremental victories” (Naurt). Life is not always peaches and cream, and

it is necessary for children to cope with failure.

Conducting a second interview, Silvia Alexander provides an additional ‘expert’ opinion

on the emotional benefits of sport in young children. The owner of a daycare for 20+ years,

Alexander introduces her perspective. “ I think play time and sports can greatly affect a child’s

attitude; a kid can arrive crying, hugging their parent, not wanting them to leave. But, once they

settle down and engage in outside play, their demeanours can quickly change into their normal

happy selves.” This suggests that taking part in some form of outside play can directly correlate

positively to a child’s mood and emotions.

Although the ability to suppress emotions is often adequate, today's society is running

rampant with unprecedented numbers of mental health issues. Countless teens are born with the

predisposition of a number of possible psychological problems. In fact, “More than 1 in 3 high

school students had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2019, a 40

percent increase since 2009” (Victoria). Unquestionably, struggles with mental health have

grown into one of the most detrimental obstacles in teens. While these numbers are rapidly

increasing with no clear end in sight, there is a therapeutic remedy; sports. The mental health

benefits of physical activity cannot be overemphasized. Research within the Journal of

Adolescent Health, purports that “Youth who were involved in school sports had lower

depression symptoms, lower perceived stress, and better self-rated mental health than those who

did not play sports at all” (Sabiston). With such a prominent issue, sports provide a natural and

healthy way to not only endure but subdue negative thoughts. Not only does the brain release

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‘feel good’ chemicals, sports offer a kind of distraction. Studies have shown that physical

activity can treat moderate depression as effectively as prescription antidepressants. For instance,

“A recent study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running for

15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%”

(Robinson). Merely 15 minutes of physical activity daily, can result in significant cognitive

changes, not limited to depression. Exercise aids in reducing stress, heightening physical and

mental energy, and replenishing calmness in the mind.

One of the leading causes of depression and psychological disorders is abuse within the

home. With that in consideration, “Researchers studied 9,688 children who had bad childhood

experiences, such as physical and sexual abuse, or emotional neglect, and found that children

who took part in team sports had better mental well-being when they were adults” (Robinson).

When a child is exposed to egregious elements like these, having a constructive way to channel

the aftermath is unparalleled. Being in a negative headspace directly affects a child's behavior.

Oftentimes victims of depression self isolate, resulting in being alienated by peers, and drowning

in loneliness. This corresponds to changes in personality and mood. Mental health disorders can

cast a dark gloom on one's behavior and actions. Behavioral challenges formed by mental illness

include impulsivity, defiance, and hyperactivity. Exercise allows a solution for all of these. In

adolescents, regular exercise is found to incite better information processing and attention.

Juxtaposingly, it encourages calmness and mindfulness, whilst discouraging behavioral

outbursts.

A considerable contributor to mental illness is body image, especially in this day of age.

Teenage years are the prime time for fundamental development, specifically our bodies. As

bodies change, a person's mindset and image of themselves often shifts too. Social media

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provides false pretenses of the ‘perfect body’, dissolving a childs’ self confidence. A great deal

of boys and girls alike are illusioned with the ideology that they need to fit a certain standard to

be beautiful. Often overlooked, body dysmorphia has become a major factor in mental health

issues and can prompt changes in one's behavior. Consequently, “Approximately 91% of women

are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape” (Hildreth).

The stigma around body image results in improper dieting, which aggravates feelings of

depression and anxiety. Lower levels of self esteem often results in one becoming isolated and

dejected. These symptoms tie into behavior, because they induce moodiness and sulking.

Furthermore, body dysmorphia can instigate unhealthy ritualistic habits, such as excessive

obsession with appearance. Sports provide a way for children to no longer feel the need to be

sheltered, and be comfortable in their own skin. Not only do they create a positive and nurturing

environment for these issues, they can physically morph a person’s body into one they are happy

living in. An experiment conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia

investigated a group of women's self efficacy after exercise. The surveyed women who

participated in physical activity suggested a drastically higher self esteem. (Hildreth). This

evidence reinforces the incentive for physical activity. In additional support, an analysis

integrated in the journal Frontiers in Psychology uncovered, “Body image was significantly

positively correlated with self-efficacy, self-esteem, and sports participation” (National Library

Medicine). This being said, sports will induce not only a healthier body physically, but a

healthier headspace.

The findings are conclusive; sports provide numerous benefits for children, ones that

undeniably outweigh any doubt in a persons’ mind. The most substantial of which being social

skills, emotions, mental health, and body image. All of which directly correlate to a child’s

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behavior, the focal point of this paper. The extent of how beneficial it was was much more

pervasive than I thought. Delving into the nourishing world of sports, filled with underlying

psychological gains, was unexpectedly eye opening. Due to this, I believe advocating for sports

is valuable. Education on this topic is necessary not only to ease the minds of anxious parents,

but as well as to display the advantages and encourage participation. Participating in organized

sports at any level requires devotion, and for student athletes especially, it can be a daunting

commitment. It is important for families/students to carefully consider the abundant benefits

when making a decision. This paper is not only written to inform, but also to inspire more

doubtful students to give sports a try.

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Works Cited

Alexander, Silvia. Daycare owner. Personal Interview. 20 April 2022.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Benefits of Physical Activity | Physical

Activity | CDC.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 November 2021,

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm. Accessed 16 March

2022.

Department of Sport Psychology. “Impact of Physical Exercise on Substance Use

Disorders: A Meta-Analysis.” NCBI, 16 October 2014,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4199732/. Accessed 18 March 2022.

Health Direct. “Developing life skills through sports | healthdirect.” Healthdirect,

February 2020, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/developing-life-skills-through-sports.

Accessed 16 March 2022.

Hildreth, Danielle. “How can exercise improve body image?” Medical News Today, 18

June 2017, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317958. Accessed 18 March

2022.

Keener, Stephen D. “Sports Teach Kids Valuable Lessons - NYTimes.com.” The New

York Times, 10 October 2013,

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/10/10/childrens-sportslife-balance/sports-

teach-kids-valuable-lessons. Accessed 16 March 2022.

Machado, Sergio, and Salgado de Oliveira. “The Influence of Sports Participation on

Body Image, Self-Efficacy, and Self-Esteem in College Students.” NCBI, 5 February

2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7012809/. Accessed 21 April

2022.

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Martin, Donovan. “12 Important Stats About Mental Health in Sports.” Donovan Martin,

27 October 2020, https://www.donovanmentalperformance.com/12-important-stats-

about-mental-health-in-sports. Accessed 16 March 2022.

Maslen, Paige. “The Social and Academic Benefits of Team Sports.” Edutopia, 29

December 2015, https://www.edutopia.org/discussion/social-and-academic-benefits-

team-sports. Accessed 16 March 2022.

Nauert, Rick. “Sports Can Help Kids Defuse Anger.” Psych Central, 7 July 2011,

https://psychcentral.com/news/2011/07/07/sports-can-help-kids-defuse-anger#1.

Accessed 16 March 2022.

Nguyen, Steven. Physical Education Teacher. Personal Interview. 9 March 2022.

Robinson, Lawrence, et al. “The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise.” HelpGuide.org,

August 2021, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-

benefits-of-exercise.htm. Accessed 18 March 2022.

Sabiston, Catherine. “The 10 Mental Benefits of Sports for Teens.” Newport Academy, 8

December 2021, https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/sports-and-

mental-health/. Accessed 16 March 2022.

Victoria State Government Department of Health. “Sport and children.” Better Health

Channel, 31 August 2015, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/sport-

and-children. Accessed 16 March 2022.

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