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Youth work and sport: Special report

1 min read Youth Work
With activity levels among children and young people having fallen since the pandemic, a number of policies and funding programmes aim to encourage participation to improve physical and mental health.
Studies show a strong correlation between participation in sport and improved education and life outcomes. Picture: Rido/Adobe Stock
Studies show a strong correlation between participation in sport and improved education and life outcomes. Picture: Rido/Adobe Stock

There is a mountain of evidence showing the benefits that sport and physical activity can have for young people’s physical and mental health. Children and young people that are active for the recommended 60 minutes or more per day are less likely to be overweight in childhood and suffer from long-term health conditions in adulthood. Research by Sport England shows that the more active a young person is the happier they are and less likely to experience loneliness. They are also more likely to show character traits indicative of resilience.

Studies also show there is a strong correlation between participation in sport and improved education and life outcomes. For example, research by the Youth Sport Trust found that two-thirds of schoolchildren said being active helped them learn while three quarters of teachers said it improved pupils’ academic progress (see research evidence).

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