Game-Changers: Exploring the Intersection of Sports, Health, and Society
- Himanshu Patni
- January 10, 2024
- HEALTHCARE, NEWS
- AthleteWellbeing, CommunityFitness, FitSociety, SocietalImpact, SportingLifestyle, SportsHealthSociety
- 0 Comments
Introduction:
Sports can be of great value to learning life lessons and fostering discipline and commitment. People find sports a valuable part of their lives, offering benefits in terms of health and emotion that can last for many years They may also give rise to a feeling of belonging, community, and friendship. Sports help shape our lives in many ways, from playing with friends at the park to competing in professional leagues. Society becomes a sport and sports become society. At the time of the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, the modern notion of sports came into existence. The impact on society’s development of something that was viewed as simply a pleasure has been immense. Sports also have a powerful impact on policy, environment, and social aspects. Society knows that a healthy lifestyle can come from participating in sports. Social, political, and environmental restrictions in society are also a factor that helps to identify and eliminate them.
Every Move Counts:
There are several key priorities in the area of Sport:
• To promote physical and mental health and prevent obesity through regular physical activity.
• Promote social cohesion through sport, especially for underprivileged groups.
• Eliminate Racism and Xenophobic Behaviour and Promote Gender Equality through Sport
• Improve school physical education programmes to encourage participation in sport.
• Fight against Doping through Education and Prevention Programs
• Ensuring that young athletes have access to high-quality academic and professional training in addition to their sports training, thereby reducing dropout rates.
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Benefits:
· To Student’s Life
o Sport plays a vital role in every student’s life. Sport plays a role in the physical well-being of children, according to 88% of parents. Sports can contribute to students developing critical thinking skills, in addition to physical benefits. Sports also help regulate blood pressure and improve vascular health. In addition, the student’s sleep schedule and quality of sleep are better if he plays sports regularly.
o Participation in sports contributes to building friendships and raising students’ self-esteem. When students participate in sports, it’s important to be able to work as a team. They learn to communicate and work together in this way so that they can succeed.
o Apart from playing football, a career in sports offers many other opportunities. You can use it to your advantage, and you can get scholarships for higher education if you’re good at sports. And, when you master any kind of sport, it can also lead to students becoming professional athletes and playing for their country.
o Sports have had a big impact on our lives as well. This will allow us to develop discipline and keep our minds on the task ahead. These activities are designed to teach students how to manage their time, as they must balance their studies and sports activities to be successful. In addition, sport helps us to learn how much effort and dedication it takes.
Fig 1: Social Benefits of Sports:
· To Adult’s Life
o Regular sports boost overall health, leading to higher energy levels and better work performance. And it’s a good thing for the mental well-being of workers so that they can cope effectively with occupational pressures.
o Time management skills are needed to balance sports with work. In both the private and professional spheres, playing sports results in improved efficiency and productivity. As well, setting and achieving targets in the field of sports is linked to establishing and attaining career goals.
o Furthermore, participation in sports offers a chance to connect with different individuals and expand social networks. Through referral and collaboration, this can assist individuals in developing their careers. Finally, conflict resolution skills that are very important for the constructive management of conflicts at work will be developed by addressing problems and disagreements in sports.
· To the Nation
o Sports are of fundamental importance in the development and growth of a nation, as they contribute to building citizens’ sense of national pride and unity. In addition, sports serve to foster values like determination, discipline, and respect for others. Physical and mental health benefits, such as improved strength, balance, and coordination, as well as the development of problem-solving and leadership skills, can also be gained by playing sports.
o Sports also have an important impact on the economy in terms of jobs created and income generated through ticket sales, merchandise, or sponsorship. In addition, sports can also be an effective way of promoting social change and raising awareness about key issues like health, education, or gender equality.
Challenges:
Whether you’re a parent, a coach, or a sports doctor, the issues adults face when it comes to youth sports are diverse, and complicated, and come from different ethnic backgrounds, genders, neighbourhoods, and income brackets. It seems like having fun while also making sure you’re physically fit, and mentally healthy, and learning life lessons that will help you live a healthier and more active lifestyle is key to success.
· Physical Challenge: Athletes of all ages are at risk for injury when playing sport. Young athletes are particularly vulnerable during periods of accelerated growth velocity and closed growth plates during adolescence. With more youth participating in sports, there has been a rise in sports-related injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 2.6 million ER visits for children and adolescents aged 5-24 each year. The rapid expansion of bones during growth and slow elongation of muscles results in increased tensile forces on growth plates, apophyses, and joints. These increased tensile forces put these structures at risk for injury. Different anatomic structures are injured in children and adolescents depending on their stage of physical development. A child’s bone is weaker than a child’s ligament and tendon, so they are at a higher risk for fractures along the bone and the growth plate.
· Psychological: A lack of sports readiness and lack of skill development can cause anxiety, stress and eventually attrition for the little athlete. For the young “athletes”, the goal is to be active, to have fun, and to have a good sports experience by learning and practicing basic skills. An introduction to a wide range of activities has been proven to be physically and emotionally beneficial for the young child. Sports satisfaction surveys show that “fun” is the number one reason that most children want to participate in sports. However, the main reason that parents want their children to play sports is to “win.” The Institution for the Study of Youth Sports looked at the value of winning from a child’s point of view and found that it varies with gender and age. For the majority of younger kids, fairness, participation, and development of skills rank higher than winning.
· Social: Urban youth face additional costs. Neighbourhoods’ playgrounds and recreation centers are lacking or poorly maintained, while both sports equipment and safety equipment are old or damaged. Reduced government funding for after-school youth programs has made sports less accessible and feasible in low-income neighborhoods. Dwindling funding also leads to declining participation in sports. Luckily, a few non-profit organizations are popping up in inner-city neighborhoods to offer positive programs to at-risk kids.
Opportunities:
· Health and Physical Fitness: Maintaining physical fitness is vital for a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise not only helps in weight management, but it also improves cardiovascular health, strengthens bones, and muscles, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. In this section, we will explore various sports activities that can help achieve and maintain optimal physical fitness.
o Running: Running is a popular sport that requires minimal equipment and can be tailored to any fitness level.
o Cycling: Whether it’s on a road bike or a stationary bike, cycling is an excellent low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular fitness
o Swimming: Swimming is a full-body workout that enhances lung capacity and builds muscular strength.
o Team Sports: Engaging in team sports like soccer, basketball, or volleyball not only improves physical fitness but also enhances teamwork and communication skills.
· Inclination towards awareness for Mental Health: Exercise and sports activities not only benefit physical health but also play a significant role in promoting mental well-being. In this section, we will explore how sports can improve mental health and provide valuable tools to cope with stress and anxiety.
o Stress Relief: Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins, known as “feel-good” hormones, which help reduce stress and improve mood.
o Confidence Boost: Participating in sports helps build self-confidence and self-esteem by setting and achieving goals, improving skills, and overcoming challenges.
o Social Interaction: Sports provide an opportunity for social interaction, forming friendships, and fostering a sense of belonging, which is crucial for mental well-being.
· Inclusion and Diversity: Sports have the power to transcend cultural barriers, promoting inclusivity and diversity. In this section, we highlight initiatives and organizations working towards creating a more inclusive and diverse sporting community.
o Paralympic Sports: The Paralympic Games showcase the talents and abilities of athletes with disabilities, increasing awareness and promoting inclusivity.
o LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Sports organizations are increasingly working towards creating safe and inclusive spaces for athletes of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
o Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality in sports is essential to ensure equal opportunities for both male and female athletes, from grassroots to professional levels.
· Constructive Collaboration: One of the many benefits of sports is the sense of connection it provides. In this section, we explore how sports bring people together, foster teamwork, and create positive social change.
o Community Engagement: Sporting events often serve as a gathering point for communities, fostering unity and a sense of local pride.
o Volunteerism: Many sports events rely on volunteers who contribute their time and skills, creating opportunities for people to give back to their communities.
o Sports for Development: Sports-based initiatives aim to address social challenges, such as poverty, education, and health, by using sports as a tool for positive change.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS TOOK PLACE IN SPORTS, HEALTH & SOCIETY:
o The Traditional sports assiduity was heavily impacted by COVID-19 in 2020. still, sports tech and health tech had a prosperous time during that time. Peloton is three times more precious than established sports brand PUMA.
o In August 2023, PIF established the sports investment company which will focus on assets with high growth potential in Saudi Arabia and the Mena region.
o In July 2022, Sports and Society Accelerator launched as a Section 8 company fastening on practicable policy and nonsupervisory guidance and recommendations, data-led exploration, attestations of conception, systems, and programs, and backing and premonitory services to stakeholders and mates.
o In November 2020, Indian Cricketer Yuvraj Singh planned to invest in tech startups in health, sports, and food sectors which include Healthians, Holosuit, JetSetGo, EasyDiner, Wellversed, etc.
CONCLUSION:
Youth sports should be a big part of kids’ lives, but there are some worrying signs. Sport is a great way for kids to get exercise, build relationships, and learn new skills. In a world where kids are so overweight, it’s important to encourage them to stay active. There are lots of health benefits for kids of all ages when they do some vigorous physical activity. When kids do organized youth sports, they get to do physical activity while having fun. To make sure kids have a good youth sports experience, it takes a mix of things like making sure they’re ready for the sport, making sure the coaches and parents are good role models, setting realistic goals, and having good injury prevention and management. It’s also important to reduce sports attrition so kids can keep playing and stay active into adulthood. But the challenges for adults who want to help change youth sports culture can be huge, depending on the ethnic background, gender, community, and socioeconomic level. It’s all about having fun while also making sure the kids have a good experience. Whether through participation, spectatorship, or community engagement, sport has the potential to improve health outcomes, empower individuals, and unite communities. Regular participation in sports and physical activities can assist with weight management, reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and improve mental health outcomes.
