Social Impact in Sport

There is a widespread belief that sport (broadly defined) has the power to make
“society” more equal, socially cohesive and peaceful. Its potential as a tool for
development and peace is being harnessed by an ever-expanding of organizations at
local, national and international levels engaging in ever- evolving public- private
partnerships. The non-governmental organization (NGO) seeking o meet that everyday
needs of disadvantaged communities in the Global South, it is increasingly common to
herald sports as a quotation new engine of development and social development,
through sports as a new social movement.

Through sport and physical education, individuals can experience equality,

freedom and a dignifying means for empowerment for girls and women, people with
disability, for those living in conflict areas, for those whose recovering trauma. This
heralding of sports as an agent of personal and social change has, of course, not gone
unchallenged. It is by now common place to point to the absence of ‘hard’ evidence
needed.
 Mental- Emotional Benefits of Sports

Being physically active can help you feel stronger and better able to do
day-to-day activities. In addition, being active also helps you feel better mentally
and emotionally, and can improve your overall quality of life.
Here are some of the benefits many people experience.
Decreases in:
 Anger
 Anxiety ( worry and fear)
 Confusion
 Depression ( you’ll likely be better at preventing, reducing,
and managing depression)
 Headaches
 Stress and tension (you’ll likely be able to cope better with
stress)

Increases in:

 Assertiveness (being able to ask for what you need and

make decisions)
 Confidence and feeling able to do things
 Emotional stability (less troubled by life’s challenges and
disappointments)
 Independence
 Memory
 Having a positive mood
 Perception (better at noticing what’s going on around you)
 Positive body image (feeling good about the way you look)
 Feeling of well-being self- worth and self- esteem ( feeling
good about the way you see yourself )
 Sport has always be known for their physical benefits.
 In recent years, research has also found that sport
participation can positively affect your mental health.

Sport improves your mood

 Want a burst of happiness and relaxation? Get involved in a

physical activity. Whether you are playing sports, working
 out at a gym, or taking brisk walk, physical activities triggers
brain chemicals that make you happier and more relaxed.
Team sports in particular provide a chance to unwind and
engage in a satisfying that improves your fitness. They also
provide social benefits by allowing you to connect with team
mates and friends in a recreational setting.

Sport improves your concentration

 Regular physical activity helps keep your key mental skills

sharp as you age. This includes short thinking, learning, and
using good judgment. Research has shown that doing a mix
of aerobic muscle strengthening activities is especially
helpful. Participating in this kind of activity three to five times
a week for at least 30 minutes can provide these mental
health benefits.

Sport reduces stress and depression

 When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from

daily stresses. This can help avoid getting bogged down by
negative thoughts. Exercise reduces the levels of stress
hormones in your body. At the same time, it stimulate
production of endorphins.

Sport improves sleep habits

 Sport and other forms of physical activity improve the quality of

sleep. It does this by helping you fall asleep faster and deepening
your sleep. Sleeping better can improve your mental outlook the
next day, as well as improve your mood.

Sport helps you maintain a healthy weight

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

recommend sports participation as a healthy way to maintain
weight. Individual sports such as running, cycling, and
weightlifting, are all particularly effective ways to burn
calories. Staying within a recommended weight range
reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes, high
cholesterol, and hypertension.

Sport boosts your self-confidence

  The regular exercise that comes with playing sport can help
boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. As
your strength, skills and stamina increase through playing
sports, your self-image will improve as well . Sport provide
you with sense of mastery and control, which often leads to
a feeling of pride and self- confidence.

Sport has been linked to leadership trait

 Team sports such as football, baseball, and basketball are

breeding grounds for leadership traits. Studies done in high
schools reveal a correlation between sports participation and
leadership qualities. Because of the opportunity to train, try
win, or lose together, people involved in sports are naturally
more inclined to adopt a “team mindset” in the workplace
and in social situations. The team mindset leads to strong
leadership qualities over time.

Benefits for young children

 Sport can benefit children in many of the same ways that

they benefit adults. The biggest difference is that when
children start participating in sports at a young age, they are
far more likely to stay active as they grow older. The same
source suggests that participating in a team sport improves
academic performance, leads to better scholastic outcomes,
and results in more after school participation.
 Addressing Barriers to Sports

As health care professional we can help people identify barriers to creative and make
suggestions for how they can overcome these barriers. The Center for Disease Control
and Protection makes suggestion for overcoming physical activity barriers.

Lack of time Identify available time slots.

Monitor your daily activities for one week. Identify at least three 30 minute time slots you
could use for physical activity.

Select activities requiring minimal time, such as walking, jogging, or stair climbing.

Social influence

 Explain your interest in physical activity to friends and family.

Ask them to support your efforts.
 Invite friends and family members to exercise with you. Plan
social activities involving exercise.

Lack of energy

 Schedule physical activity for times in the day or week when

you feel energetic.
 Convince yourself that if you give it a chance, physical
activity will increase your energy level; then, try it.

Lack of motivation

 Plan ahead. Make physical activity a regular part of your

daily or weekly schedule and write it on your calendar.
 Join an exercise group or class.

Fear of injury

 Learn how to warm up and cool down to prevent injury.

 Choose activities involving minimum risk.