Regular Physical Activity and Organized Sports Help Protect Children's Mental Health

Emerging research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that engaging in regular physical activity during early childhood, particularly through organized sports, can serve as a protective factor against various mental health disorders later in life. The study, based on data from the ABIS Study in Southeast Sweden, followed over 16,000 children from birth to adulthood, assessing their activity levels, outdoor time, and participation in organized sports at ages 5, 8, and 11. Findings reveal that physical activity levels decrease from over 4 hours per day at age 5 to approximately 2.5 hours by age 11. Notably, higher physical activity at age 11 correlated with a 12% reduced risk of mental health diagnoses by age 18 for each additional hour of activity daily. The protective effects exhibit sex differences: among boys, physical activity was associated with a significant reduction in risks for depression, anxiety, and addiction, starting as early as age 5, while for girls, the benefits were more pronounced at later ages and varied by condition. Participation in organized sports at age 11 was strongly linked to lower risks of mental health issues for both sexes, with organized sports reducing the risk of depression, anxiety, and addiction by up to 41%. Researchers suggest that the period before and during puberty may be a sensitive window where physical activity fosters resilience and mental well-being. Despite its observational nature limiting causal assertions, the study underscores the importance of promoting physical activity and sports participation in childhood as a strategy to mitigate the rising prevalence of psychological disorders among youth.