Engaging in physical activity and sports is a great way to stay in shape and achieve an overall healthy lifestyle—not to mention the social benefits as individuals develop connections and bonds with their teammates and coaches.
Yet, many students and parents alike wonder what other benefits playing sports offers.
In fact, many high-school student-athletes looking to continue playing sports in college or students looking to participate in college or intramural sports for the first time have likely been asked, or wondered themselves, if and how physical activity affects their academic performance.
Let’s look at the many positive benefits and effects of exercise and sports on students’ academic performance.
Sports in College
Many schools and universities offer official and sanctioned men’s and women’s sports at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level, such as basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, and more.
Additionally, students who do not make or wish to compete at the highest level can engage in club sports and intramural leagues. Plus, club sports, unlike intramurals, allow students to compete against teams from other schools and even have national championships.
Both club sports and intramurals are often organized and funded by different academic schools within the college, fraternities, sororities, housing units, and other interest clubs or groups. However, club sports are much more competitive and require tryouts to work and play with other skilled student-athletes and coaches as they practice for organized competitions and tournaments.
Popular club and intramural sports include:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Water polo
- Tennis
- Football
- Rugby
- eSports
- Bowling
4 Benefits and Effects of Sports on Students’ Academic Performance
Many concerned parents and students alike are worried about the time commitment required to participate in sports and how that will affect their ability to juggle their classes, homework, and other responsibilities. The question, ‘How do sports help students academically?’ is often voiced during student orientations and visits.
People, especially if they haven’t played sports before, often don’t realize that playing sports provides many benefits and positive effects on academic and overall well-being.
Benefit #1: Increased Concentration and Cognitive Resources
Exercise of any kind can increase blood flow to the brain, which helps the body build more connections between nerves. Moreover, by strengthening these connections, individuals see increased concentration, enhanced memory, stimulated creativity, and better-developed problem-solving skills.
Not only is this useful when playing sports, as athletes need to remember and abide by rules of play in their sport, but it’s also instrumental in the classroom. With increased concentration levels, students can stay engaged during lectures, retain information more easily, and focus and study for exams longer.
All of which leads to improved grades, higher test scores, and high academic performance overall.
Benefit #2: Interpersonal Skills
Though some sports have athletes compete individually, they will likely play and work alongside teammates and coaches in practices and competitions.
As such, student-athletes learn and develop, foster, and build essential interpersonal skills such as leadership, time management, and working with others to achieve common goals. Athletes can transfer these skills and solid work ethic from the classroom to their future careers as they engage in lively exchanges with professors or group projects with their peers.
By working together, students learn how to overcome obstacles and differences on and off the field, resulting in positive academic, competitive, and social outcomes.
Benefit #3: Psychosocial
Sports allow individuals to connect with others and be a part of a team and community. Furthermore, being in a community with others with similar interests and goals makes students feel less alone, resulting in higher self-esteem, efficacy, and self-worth.
Student-athletes also form strong bonds and relationships through team-building activities, practice, team competitions, and traveling. Plus, enjoying victories and suffering losses allows athletes to lean on one another, translating into their academic lives as players support each other toward academic endeavors and goals.
Benefit #4: Academic and Financial Assistance
College can be overwhelming, especially for student-athletes managing their coursework with practice and game schedules, hence why many colleges and universities offer special tutoring and study sessions in conjunction with their student support services as an extra way to help, motivate, and boost an athlete’s academic performance.
Additionally, student-athletes may be eligible for athletic-based scholarships, as well as need-based and merit-based financial aid, that can alleviate the stress of paying for college. These scholarships often take some of the pressure of paying for college off an individual’s mind and open them up to focus on their studies and sports commitments rather than adding a job to their already full plate.
While playing sports in college can be challenging as athletes manage their multiple responsibilities, the beneficial effects on student’s academic performance, physical health, and strength of social bonds reveal how valuable sports programs can be.
The long and short of it? Playing sports helps your brain grow alongside physical fitness, allowing it to work better to solve problems, leading to higher academic performance and overall quality of life.
Let’s hit the court/field/gym!
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