In the UK, we have worrying statistics on girls’ participation in sport. Did you know that only 42% of teenage girls meet physical activity guidelines and just under a third of girls (32%) are inactive, engaging in less than an average of 30 minutes of activity per day. This data comes from research carried out by Women in Sport.
Playing a sport is highly beneficial for girls as they’ll learn new skills, get plenty of exercise, and experience social connections when making friends. While most sports require team participation, they all differ in pace and activity level. Encouraging sports for girls is the responsibility of parents as well as schools. It is not enough to think school PE ticks the girls in sport box.
The lack of girls in sports concerns me, and it should concern you too, because sport for girls is immensely important for their emotional and physical well-being.
In this post, I am sharing the reasons why sport for girls is important and how we can increase participation rates before it’s too late.
Why it matters
Research has shown that girls who participate in sports report a more positive relationship with body esteem, particularly among girls who played three or more sports per year.
These girls are more likely to describe their health as “excellent,” plus they perceive their academic and athletic ability in a better light and have lower rates of depression and suicidal tendencies than girls who are not active. Now, if that is not reason enough to get girls into sport, then I don’t know what is!
I have prioritised sports with my kids, and because of this, my girls play club hockey in addition to being active whenever the opportunity arises.
The importance of exercise and sports for girls?
Physical health is something a lot of us are taking more seriously. Unlike most adults who like to go to a gym, kids and teenage girls don’t necessarily need to do that. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t need to work out at all, though!
Physical activities are essential for growth
Kids below the age of 15 are continuously growing both physically and mentally. That is why it is essential to do everything that will help them grow properly.
Working out for even 30 minutes to one hour each day can be a huge benefit for our daughters. It can also facilitate their physical development. By being physically fit, they will be able to do many great things in life and achieve all their goals.
Exercise can help them maintain their weight which is something they need to be healthy. Teenage girls are often highly aware of their appearance and whilst we don’t want girls to be starting diets or restricting food at such an impressionable age, being active and playing sport provides enough activity that they don’t have to worry about calories.
Kids get to work on their motor skills
Motor skills are really essential for humans in order to do regular tasks in life. While talking about the importance of exercise for teenagers growth and development, we also need to know other benefits of sports for girls.
Physical fitness enables your teen to work on their motor skills and improve them with time. Sporty girls will be more flexible and have better control over their body. Dance for example, has given my daughter great posture and core strength. Hockey is our first sport and I also make sure that they have the right types of shoes to prevent injury.
My girls will also climb and this gives them brilliant strength and encourages problem solving, just be mindful of having climbing shoes as they have the grip and comfort needed.
Sport for girls is the key to having a mentally peaceful life
Mental health is another heavily discussed topic in the world right now. Kids these days struggle when it comes to educational pressure. It is important for them to find a way to relieve all this stress, and there is no doubt sport and fitness can play a huge part in this.
Exercising can be a great thing for them to do in order to temporarily avoid stress. It can also help them to cool down and take some time to figure out a solution to their problem. Working out regularly can make them feel productive and motivated to do well in studies as well.
Chloe played hockey competitively throughout her education and I insisted even during her exams that she continued and had that release. Running and hitting a hockey ball is a great stress relief!
Sport allows girls to sleep better every day
Lack of sleep can be a cause of many medical issues when it comes to both adults and children. Not only does it make it difficult to focus on things, it can also make you lose interest in things you previously liked to do.
As working out makes young people exhausted, it also enables them to fall asleep easily at night. Being active allows them to be stress-free as we discussed in the previous point and thus they find it possible to sleep on time. By getting enough sleep, they get better at tackling life issues successfully.
Exercising allows kids to take up a healthy lifestyle earlier
Working out is just one of many things you can do to start living a healthy life as an adult. In order for them to be able to be interested in health care as an adult, it is important to start right from their childhood.
Introducing your child to exercise early in their life makes it easier for them to see the benefits of being healthy. With working out, they start to pay more attention to themselves and pick up healthy habits on their own.
We are our children’s greatest role models and therefore it makes sense that a mothers approach to sports will impact their teenage girls. My daughter enjoys many of the same sports that I have played and we do them together when we can. Chloe started to come to the same fitness sessions that I do and it is a great way to bond and also to get active together.
Working out comes with a lot of behavioural benefits as well
The main thing a parent can struggle with while raising a happy child is the constant mood swings. Kids tend to behave incorrectly as they don’t really know how to distinguish between correct and wrong.
Exercising is something that can help you teach your kids how to behave. Kids who do a lot of outdoor activities have a better understanding of things. They stress less and thus don’t throw tantrums easily which is almost like a blessing to most parents.
Exercise can be a good way to enable your child to be more social
Often when it comes to outdoor activities or sports, we have to work in groups or teams. The major advantage of this is that it allows teen girls to get used to performing in a team. This is a great lifeskill ready for the workplace.
If team sports are not your idea of fun then getting outdoors at the weekend is an alternative. Put on your outdoor shoes, get the kids hiking boots and go for a walk. Being out in fresh air is the best way to get them off their screens and will help them connect with their surroundings.
Getting active and promoting a healthy lifestyle is one of the best gifts that we can give our teenagers.
