But none of these consequences is inevitable. Getting children involved in sports so that they can enjoy them throughout their lives requires good sports programs. And just as success on the pitch depends on proper player alignment, discipline, and strategy, the success of sports programs depends on their design.
In Sweden, for example, recreation centers were built in the 1960s to give children an alternative to antisocial activities. The centers offered options from 스포츠중계 such as basketball and ping-pong to more passive activities such as television and video games. But they did not offer structured activities. They did not require children to participate in any particular type of game or pastime, did not focus on skill development, and did not often have an adult present or ask for feedback on its effectiveness.
As a result, a study shows that the programs not only failed to foster
Social-emotional skills, but actually stimulated harmful behaviors by exposing children to older classmates who did poorly in school, stayed out late and got into trouble with the police. In fact, children who participated in structured sports and leisure activities, under adult supervision, showed lower rates of antisocial behavior. Those who participated in unstructured activities, such as those at recreation centers, had higher incidences of theft, fights, and truancy.
The intensity of participation is also an important factor. A study in 30 mostly European countries showed that moderate sports activity could increase the risk of drug and alcohol use among children. But more intense participation of three to four hours of sport a day leads to low levels of risk, with children dedicatedly seeking to improve their sporting prowess.
Evaluation and design are key to successful sports programs
The challenge then is to design projects that take these factors into account and are effective. That means designing programs that can be evaluated, better evaluating those that have already been implemented, and supporting those where there is consensus as to their effectiveness. This means starting small, and once programs have proven worthwhile, and then scale them up.
It is also essential to take advantage of modern media communication techniques and nudging. That can involve everything from television, radio and newspaper campaigns to messages on the internet and in community centers and workplaces to the creation of hiking clubs and sports groups, supported by telephone reminders and a buddy system to mobilize people. And, of course, all these efforts are much easier when cities are designed to promote physical exercise; when there are plenty of walkways, bike lanes, parks, and exercise facilities that allow people to come together and enjoy both physical exercise, for its own good, and the community bond it creates.
Sport and the strengthening of social ties
In the end, exercise and sport will not only result in a healthier physical condition, with fewer physical and mental illnesses. They also strengthen social connections and create more cohesive and resilient societies. When we see the hugs and euphoria of a World Cup team after a collective effort that leads to a dazzling goal, we identify with her. Not just because we want our team to win, but because we recognize in it lesser versions of our own collective triumphs, whether it’s on the soccer field, in the local gym, or on the hill in the local park that we’ve climbed with our hiking group through despite its steep slopes. We can all enjoy those joys. And the sooner we get kids involved in sports programs, the more likely they will be able to enjoy them throughout their lives. The key would be to design good programs, make sure they work, and then scale them up. In this way we can guarantee that children have the opportunity, before they adopt sedentary habits, to discover the true importance of sport.
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