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Health Benefits for Children Who Play Sports

By Athnet, 02/26/19, 12:00PM PST

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One key factor for children and sports is ensuring that they participate at a proper rate. Parents and coaches hold most of the responsibility with this, and there is a fine line

When it comes to kids and activity, research shows that many young children are either obtaining too much or too little. Too much physical activity leads to burnouts and injuries, while too little leads to numerous physical conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. To balance this properly, parents and coaches must be diligent, yet considerate, when it comes to children and sports.

According to the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, sports activities for children not only offer health benefits, but also offer psychological and social benefits. Paul Caccamo, a Harvard graduate, explains that “sports are more than a game; they are a set of life lessons. Kids growing up without them are really disadvantaged.”