A new study has revealed that adults who regularly play or participate in sports have very few symptoms of anxiety and depression. It keeps them mentally well and healthy. On the other hand, those who stop participating in sports have poorer mental health. They have also revealed that many kids stop participating in sports before they turn 18 due to some reason. Â
This research was recently published in the Sociology of Sport Journal. In this study, researchers used the data of 3931 adults from the National Sport and Society Survey. This survey was conducted between 2018 and 2019. These adults were asked questions about their sports participation as children and current symptoms of anxiety and depression if they had any. Â
When researchers observed the collected data, they found that 35% of these individuals never participated and played any organized sports. 41% of them participated and stopped playing in the middle and the remaining 24% continued playing until they turned 18. They also found that those who played regularly had very less symptoms of anxiety and depression. On the other hand, those who stopped participating in the middle had the worst mental health as compared to those who never played or participated in organized sports.Â
Researchers also tried to understand the reasons behind it. They found that 45% of them were not having fun and 31% of them were feeling unqualified so that they stopped playing. They also found some other reasons such as health issues, financial issues and abuse by a coach. Â
This study clearly shows how playing sports effectively reduces the risk of anxiety and depression. These results are very important for adults as they can help adults to keep them mentally healthy. It keeps a person mentally well and healthy. Hence, there is a need to make some effective strategies to promote sports. Â
