If, of course, sport in general is good for mental health, more and more top athletes have revealed their discomfort in recent years. To try to understand, an American study questioned more than 10,000 young people regarding their mental health according to the sport practiced.
Team sport improves mental health
According to this study of young athletes aged 9 to 13, published in the scientific journal Plos One, signs of anxiety, depression, attention problems or withdrawal were 10% lower among young people practicing team sports compared to those practicing individual sports. These would also increase mental health problems by 16%.
The explanation would lie not only in the level of pressure and stress that rests on the individual sportsman, but also in the support of teammates who distribute this pressure and rely on others. Some sports such as gymnastics or dance that impose physical criteria are even more at risk for mental health due to the inevitable judgments in this type of sport.
Be vigilant with your child
If this study highlights the interest of team sports compared to individual sports, be careful not to stigmatize, but rather to have a personalized approach for your child.
By communicating regularly with him to ensure that he is still having fun and that he manages stress well, all sports can be accessible and allow self-fulfillment.
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