The benefits of playing sports are wide and varied. This article and podcast from NPR: Benefits Of Sports To A Child's Mind And Heart All Part Of The Game is sure to make you want to stay active. This article is also a great resource.  Strong heart, strong lungs and better emotional well being are all side-effects of playing sport.

There are however, some negatives to playing too many sports.  Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes will give you some insight into why you shouldn’t really overdo things. Everything in moderation, including sports.

Does exercise really help bone density? Is there really a link between the two? Check out Exercise in Youth Makes Bones Strong in Old Age and see.

Participating in a sport isn’t just about the physical component; there is also an emotional component to playing sports. Feeling a bit “down?” Read: Group exercise boosts happiness,” for some inspiration to move! As you may already know, you don’t win every game, you can’t score with every shot and sometimes, it takes practice. Sports are also an awesome way to build resilience and grit! Need some proof? Read: Resilience in Youth Sport: A Qualitative Investigation of Gymnastics Coach and Athlete Perceptions and What’s the Value of Youth Sports?

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