Sport and mental health of children

Taking part in sport protects children who are facing problems from developing mental health problems in later life, according to a major public health study, as unpleasant childhood experiences contribute to high levels of toxic stress which causes physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.

Physical activity is important for psychological well-being and has been found to reduce anxiety, depression and behavioural problems. A recent study (mean age 8.5 years) reported that psychological distress was associated with low levels of activity and higher levels of sedentary behaviour.

The study from Public Health Wales (PHW) and Bangor University looked at what could help people with troubled upbringings. The report said, ‘Of childhood activities measured, only regular participation in sports showed a protective effect against mental illness.

The study has found that people who had experienced unpleasant childhood but regularly played sports as children were less likely to have a mental illness as adults. People who had traumatic childhoods were also more likely to be mentally healthy if they took part in sport as adults.

‘Among those with four or more negative experiences, the proportion of reports on current mental illness fell from 25% of those who did not regularly participate in childhood sports to 19% in those who did.’

The report found that adults who were members of clubs and community groups were also more likely to be mentally well. It found that playing sports also helped adults, with the proportion of people being treated for a mental illness if they did sport almost half that of those who did not.

It said, ‘There are associations between regular adult participation in sports and current mental illness, while much attention has been paid to the cardiovascular and weight reduction potential of sports participation, its impact of friendship opportunities, benefits to mental health and access to role models.’