The Impact of Sports Participation on Children’s Biopsychosocial Development
In this evidence-based synthesis review, I focused on the biopsychosocial effects of team sports on adolescence maturation. I analyzed 15 articles dating from 2015 to 2024, in which the researchers were finding positive and negative effects. In this synthesis paper, I aimed to understand how activity levels shaped their development through the different stages of adolescence. This review highlights the negative effects of early specialization, overworking, and stress, which can hinder adolescents’ maturation. This revealed research about psychological maturation, the effects of how parents can determine dedication, coaches shape mindsets, and the benefits of remaining active during adolescence. Additionally, I examined the physical effects of sports, including injury risk, improvements in overall strength and physical health, enhancements in well-being, and the effects of same age and different age play. This review illustrates how sports can serve as a preventative measure by allowing children to learn basic time-management and engagement, reducing the likelihood of delinquent behaviors. I also compared sports participation with other extracurricular activities, revealing that both have similar positive effects on adolescent maturation. Finally, I addressed certain limitations and future research such as community restrictions, parental influence, and individual factors. I concluded that sports participation offers numerous benefits, including enhanced social interactions, increased social support, improved physical ability, emotional intelligence, attention span, and decision-making skills.
PSY 499, Senior Capstone
Erin Mueller
Siefke 100
1 – 1:30 PM