It is said that discipline in sports today leads to success in life tomorrow. The statement rings true for students, given the many advantages that sports have to offer them. While it is common to group sporting activity as “extracurricular,” the fact is that sports go a long way in the holistic development of students right, from ensuring their physical well-being to their mental well-being and also inculcating much-needed life skills and unwavering belief in themselves. Let us take a deep dive into the importance of sports and games in students’ lives.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Sports for Physical Health
Indulging in sporting activities offers children much-needed physical exercise. In a world that is increasingly turning sedentary with screen addictions ruling the day, the importance of sports cannot be emphasised enough. Some of the benefits that accrue to physical health through sports include:
- It builds strength as it helps increase or maintain muscle mass and strength and strengthens bones and joints.
- Improves blood circulation.
- Keep obesity and associated problems at bay.
- Improves immunity.
- Regular physical exercise is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
- Improves flexibility and balance.
- Improves sleep.
Role of sports in Mental health
Closely linked to physical health, sporting activities are also known to play a strong role in improving the mental health of students as they:
- Boost mood and energy levels
- Help to keep stress and anxiety at bay. The importance of this cannot be overemphasised, especially as young people today face a lot of pressures. Be it pressure related to academics, peer pressure and more.
- Improve cognitive capacities such as memory and concentration, as exercise stimulates the release of neurotransmitters.
- Improve overall self-esteem and confidence, which are necessary markers for living a fulfilling life.
Equipping students with Life Skills
Importantly, sporting activities play a strong role in equipping students with certain invaluable life skills that enable them to navigate the twists and turns of life with ease. Let us look at some of them closely.
First things first. Every game that the child plays is a lesson in resilience. The importance of sports lies in the fact that the student learns that he or she needs to rise and push forward after every setback. This skill, when learned early, sets the stage for a lifetime of growth. The individual learns that failure is not the end; instead, clichéd as it may sound, it is actually the stepping stone to success. In a world where we hear of so many young people stressed and depressed and even resorting to suicide, the importance of inculcating this mindset cannot be overstated.
Life Lessons
The importance of sports in students’ lives also stems from the fact that sports teach children the important life lesson that champions aren’t born-they are made by relentless effort and practice. Children learn early that there aren’t any shortcuts to success and that you have to be driven by the relentless desire to excel. Guided well, children also understand that in every race that they run, the goal is to compete against their own last effort and win every single time. This does not mean that they do not need to try and outrun the other players, but that it is done in the spirit of healthy competition.
In fact, if anything, sports teaches the merits of teamwork and also equips students with leadership skills. They learn important skills related to motivating team members and ensuring everyone is on the same page to achieve shared goals. Participating in team sports teaches students to work together, communicate effectively, and learn the important skill of conflict resolution. Needless to say, conflict resolution is a very important skill in the times that we live in, where people increasingly believe in getting their own way, which is a great threat to building an inclusive society.
Strengths & Weakness
Through sports children also learn to identify strengths and weaknesses of others and importantly to respect these differences and treat people with respect and dignity. Needless to say that these are essential skills that come in handy in all walks of life- whether it is building one’s career, building relationships and more.
Another great lesson taught by sporting activities is that life is about embracing the journey and not just about the final destination. Students learn that winnings and losing is a part of life but that enjoying the whole process is key. This lesson stands students in good stead throughout life as they realize that life isn’t just about achieving one milestone after another, but, importantly, it is about savoring the journey.
Academic Performance
Last, but definitely not least, sports also positively impact a child’s academic performance. This may seem counterintuitive, as we are conditioned to look at the time the child is spending on sporting activities as opposed to using it for studying. The fact, however, is that studies have shown that students who participate in sports tend to have a better academic record. This stems from a variety of factors. The first is that with improved sleep patterns, improvement in memory, concentration, and more, the child’s academics are positively impacted. Additionally, sports help students develop a good work ethic. Another reason why sports help academic pursuits is that it teaches children the skills of managing their time effectively, as well as how to make the right decisions.
To Sum Up
Ensuring that sporting activities are an important aspect of the child’s education not only uplifts the overall learning experience but also helps in the child’s holistic development. At Pragyanam, one of the leading CBSE schools in Gurgaon our focus is on the child’s overall growth and development. To this end, sports is an extremely important aspect of our pedagogy. Beyond the apparent benefits of physical fitness, we are conscious of sports’ role in building resilience, inculcating discipline, and more. We have, therefore, consciously worked on aligning the lessons learned on the field with the overall educational experience. The essential role played by sports in the overall educational fabric ensures that our students are well-rounded individuals.
