Foundations of Fitness / Sports

Establishing a strong foundation of appreciation and enjoyment of physical fitness and/or sports is crucial for the healthy mental and physical development of children. The benefits of regular exercise and structured physical activity programs, like sports, dance, and martial arts range from physical health to emotional well-being and academic performance.

Engaging in regular physical activity supports maintaining healthy weight, the development of strong and resilient bodies, and reduces the risk of chronic disease. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, children who participate in structured physical activities have lower body fat and significantly reduced risks of obesity, which has been shown to increase self-confidence and positive body image. Other studies on obesity show that it significantly increases absenteeism, which creates a ripple effect that negatively impacts academic performance and social development.

Regular structured fitness and sports has also been directly correlated to enhanced academic performance. It improves cognitive function, decision making, memory, and concentration, which are all essential for academic success. According to the study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, children who engaged in physical activity had better academic performance and cognitive function than those who were inactive (Chomitz et al., 2009). Moreover, children who participate in team sports learn valuable skills such as time management and goal setting, which translate to academic and future success as adults.

Participating in sports and structured fitness, like our after school program boosts self-esteem and social skills. Through team sports, games, and structured collaboration children learn to work together. They develop social skills such as communication, cooperation, and leadership. They also gain a sense of belonging and achievement when they succeed as a team. A large study of over 2600 Australian school children ages 10 to 13 years old observed that children who participated in afterschool sports and structured fitness had higher levels of self-concept; a combination of self-esteem and self-worth than those who didn’t participate in sports. Specifically, the study found that sports participation was positively related to global self-esteem, physical appearance self-esteem, and athletic competence self-esteem.

When children feel capable and confident school becomes an arena of optimism. It results in better school attendance and participation, which improves academic performance and the development of social skills. It’s a virtuous cycle!