Sports Socialization

Participation in recreational and competitive sports is widespread in Western cultures. The physical and psychological benefits of physical activity are well known, and most experts agree that everyone should engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Sports participation, including planned physical training and competition, has both positive and negative developmental consequences for participants. Positive benefits from participation include discipline, loyalty, physical development, improved self-esteem, teamwork, sportsmanship, time management, and lifetime patterns of fitness. Conversely, sports ...