Organized sports can develop not only the physical, but the social, psychological, and emotional health of children, according to a clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness.

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In the report, “Organized Sports for Children, Preadolescents, and Adolescents,” published online in Pediatrics, the authors addressed the risks and benefits of organized sports for children and teens and offered guidance for how clinicians, schools, and communities can involve more children in sports programs.

The authors emphasized the role of free play and the development of skills for children younger than 6 years. However, they wrote that you and parents should encourage organized sports – with emphasis on physical activity enjoyment – for children older than 6 years at a range of skill levels.

“Aspects of readiness to consider are motor skill acquisition, ability to combine those skills, and attention span,” according to the authors, who noted that most children younger than 6 years may not yet have the skills and attention for organized sports.

You also can remind parents to step back from pushing children into particular sports. Allowing children to choose which activities to try helps keep the focus on fun, even if the child’s idea of fun may differ from parental ideas. “Forcing children to participate in organized sports (or any physical activity) is likely to decrease fun in the activity and discourage future participation,” according to the authors.

They recognize barriers to organized sports for children from low socioeconomic backgrounds and advise communities to try to reduce them; other recommendations include having more options for organized sports at a range of skill levels to encourage participation and long-term involvement, and promoting physical activity.

“If we offer children a variety of sports for all skill levels, they are more likely to try new activities and stick with the ones they enjoy,” Kelsey Logan, MD, a coauthor of the report, said in a statement. “The interest should start with the child, not the parent.”

“Families can help by encouraging children to ‘sample’ sports, so they can figure out what they find enjoyable,” he said. “Ideally, there is an activity for everyone, with the focus on having fun.”

“Given the epidemic of obesity and all of its accompanying medical conditions, it is important to find ways to keep kids physically active. Organized sports participation is one tactic to accomplish this,” the authors said.

They acknowledge the potential risks involved in organized sports such as sports injuries, bullying, and burnout, but also advise empowering parents to support a positive coaching environment with playing time for all participants so they can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being on a team.

“Young athletes typically learn skills and values that they can use in everyday life,” Steven Cuff, MD, coauthor of the report, said in a statement. “The camaraderie and teamwork needed on a playing field offers lasting lessons on personal responsibility, sportsmanship, goal-setting, and emotional control.”

Children with developmental and neurologic disabilities also can benefit from organized sports participation in programs such as Special Olympics, the authors said.

The report authors had no financial conflicts to disclose.

SOURCE: Logan K et al. Pediatrics. 2019 May 20. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-0997.

Keep sports fun, keep kids playing