Participating in Sports Can Greatly Increase Mental Well-Being

Question

Sports are a great way for people to release stress and greatly benefit from increased social skills. It gives participants an opportunity to connect with one another and create lasting friendships through a shared passion or activity.

Comments

This factcheck was well done! When I read the source you provided it had good details and seems like a well reliable source! Your evidence was clear and concise and did a good job explaining how well sports contribute to good mental health!

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I totally agree with this claim such as i have personally been in a sport team i have found it has been a great way to cope with anything going on and plus your teammates as how over the time you play with them and talk to them you start to get a good friendship and that i found that this source is reliable

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I agree with this because sometimes I struggle with mental health. Being away from my parents and what not. But when I'm playing sports it all goes away and makes me feel great while i'm playing them.

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Sports participation can greatly improve mental health by lowering stress and elevating mood. Several organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, have supported this assertion. The reputable research techniques mentioned in this article—"All studies had to be longitudinal or cross-sectional clinical studies, including prospective and retrospective cohort studies and case series, and randomized trials"—support their assertions. Additionally, endorphins and other mood-enhancing compounds are released as a result of frequent physical activity. The assertion that sports "gives participants an opportunity to connect with one another" has also been shown to be accurate. According to research, those who frequently exercise have higher mental and emotional well-being and reduced incidences of mental disease, according to the higher Health Channel.

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I agree with this claim and believe that playing sports is a great way to reduce stress, improve social skills, and make lasting friendships. Their research shows that being part of a sports team or even playing individually can help people feel happier and more connected with others. Additionally, reports from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition show that playing sports can lower anxiety, boost confidence, and help people make friends more easily.

Answer 1

This statement is true. However, it is a pretty broad statement, and there are different impacts. It is understood through a study that team and individual sports can improve mental health through life satisfaction and self-esteem. This study focuses on adults on a team vs. individual sports. The study found that participating in a team sport can have more mental benefits. https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8 

The National Library of Medicine states that "sports participation and exercise practice are considered to be beneficial for mental status, yielding an improved mood and better quality of life." The article addresses the different aspects of mental health and exercise. The studies that are looked at all show the connection between mental health and active lifestyles. 

Answer 2

Yes, it is true that participating in sports can greatly increase mental well being. 

As reported by Advent Health, getting involved in sports (whether they call for solo or team participation) can improve mental health in subtle ways. Their article states that physical activity releases endorphins in the brain that relax and boost our mood. Endorphins fight negativity that may flood our minds, so the act of playing in a sport can leave us feeling encouraged to tackle daily life and its struggles. This boost of mood can also emerge from social interaction if one chooses to participate in a team sport. Furthermore, playing a sport sharpens the mind as experience builds overtime; this growth of skill can improve self confidence and our self image. 

Circling back to the original article that this claim was made on, an article written by students, sport participation can, “[reduce] levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.” To make these claims, “Data was extracted for demographics, methodology, and study outcomes, and results presented according to study design,” making the claims presented in this article credible and factual.

Overall, sports can ultimately benefit the mental health of those who participate. All evidence presented within the sources I cited demonstrate the fact that sports can surely help us become happy individuals!

Articles: 

https://www.adventhealth.com/blog/how-playing-a-sport-can-improve-your-mental-health 

https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8 

Answer 3

Participating in sports and physical activities can greatly improve mental well-being. A study from the National Library of Medicine shows that adolescent involved in sports  experience fewer depressive symptoms, less stress, and better self-rated mental health. Additionally, childhood sports participation can lead to improved mental fitness later in life. Sports provide physical exercise, teamwork opportunities, and structure routines that enhance mental well-being.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8656946/

Answer 4

I agree with this claim, from personal experience and research there is definitely a correlation between physical activity and mental health. Seattle Anxiety researched and wrote about the correlation concluding that: "Engaging in sports has a profound impact on mental health, offering a range of psychological benefits that contribute to overall well-being." Physical activity can help reduce stress, boost confidence, and strengthen mental resilience. WebMD also researched the subject writing: "Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, the chemicals in your brain that relieve pain and stress. It also reduces the levels of stress hormones, cortisol, and adrenaline." To conclude the statement is true, sports does increase mental well-being as well as physical health.

https://seattleanxiety.com/psychiatrist/2023/9/15/exploring-the-psychological-impacts-of-participating-in-sports

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/benefits-of-sports-for-mental-health

Answer 5

Through personal experience, I've played sports my whole life, and I've felt an improvement in my mental health. As a college student, I've experienced my fair share of anxiety and stress. One of the best ways of dealing with this is going to the gym, which allows me to take a step away from everything that bothers me. The American Psychological Association states that a "regular exercise routine can decrease the effects of stress on the body improve mental health and mood" (APA).  This study speaks about how physical activity can produce chemicals in your brain that can help your brain deal with stress more efficiently. The APA also states that physical activity can help deal with stress and anxiety because the chemicals produced by your body during physical activity are the same chemicals that are made by anxiety. "When you engage in strenuous physical activity, you're essentially mimicking the responses that can come with anxiety, allowing you to learn how to manage these responses and not be overwhelmed by them in other situations" (APA). With the information that I've found online from the American Psychological Association, I say that this claim is true. Physical activity does indeed improve your mental health. 

Working out boosts brain health.

Answer 6

This claim states that participating in sports can greatly improve your mental well-being. As much as I don't enjoy sports myself, I cannot argue with this, as it has been proven true. There is a positive correlation between physical exercise and better mental health, and if you add in the social aspect into the equation, then sports can be a great way to improve mental health. Studies were done on the effects that exercise has on ones mental well-being, and it was show that they positively impact it. 

Provided is are a few sources:

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0268583

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8656946/#:~:text=Sport%20participation%20and%20exercise%20practice,and%20better%20quality%20of%20life.

Answer 7

The claim that "Participating in sports can greatly increase mental well-being" is supported by scientific research. Studies show that participating in sports is linked to improved mood, reduced stress, higher self-esteem, and increased life satisfaction. Consistent participation in sports triggers the release of endorphins, which help combat depression and anxiety, and improves cognitive function and sleep quality. Therefore team sports may provide stronger mental health benefits due to their social aspect, which helps reduce loneliness and fosters a sense of belonging.

Links: https://www.lifewithababy.com/blog/5855607?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2JG9BhAuEiwAH_zf3r7UR5qjmwid-mBQF4Gl-pBDC8fgkhwMqNzwHFPiMVHbZT-Dh8yYHRoCo9wQAvD_BwE

Link- https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8

Comments

Do you have any sources to back up your fact-check? You say "studies show..." but there's no specific study cited. Thanks!

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So glad you askedhttps://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8 https://www.lifewithababy.com/blog/5855607?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2JG9BhAuEiwAH_zf3r7UR5qjmwid-mBQF4Gl-pBDC8fgkhwMqNzwHFPiMVHbZT-Dh8yYHRoCo9wQAvD_BwE

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If you want more information or other sources I can gladly send you more. Im inspired by your passion for looking for credible resources. Thanks!!

Answer 8

I found this to be true. Many scientists have said this before. Personal experience also tells me that this is true. One study by the National Library of Medicine found a significant association between sports involvement during adolescence and adulthood that helped people with their mental and physical health. The study also showed that playing sports while young can lead to a better overall mental health state when you are older.

source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8656946/#:~:text=Sport%20participation%20and%20exercise%20practice,and%20better%20quality%20of%20life.

Answer 9

There is ample evidence that shows positive links between participating in sports and an individual’s mental health and well-being. As humans we are active creatures, and keeping our bodies mobile and stretched is important in maintaining physical and mental health. Studies show that athletes, in comparison to non-athletes, have generally higher levels of self-esteem, more positive self-images, and enhanced cognitive functions. “The Cleveland Clinic (2022) notes that regular physical activity releases endorphins which help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve mood.” (Seattle Anxiety Specialists) Endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain with natural painkilling and mood-elevating properties, send signals to our brains once released that can have a heavy impact on our mental well-being and behavior. Sports can also provide social interaction on many different levels, especially in sports that require a team. They also offer structure and discipline in one’s life and everyday routine, which has proven to be beneficial for people struggling with their mental health. Through these interactions, individuals can be influenced in a number of ways through things like perceived support availability, social influence and awareness, a sense of belonging, and role-based purposes that can give an individual a sense of “meaning”. 

“However, the evidence regarding sports participation at the elite level is limited, with available research indicating that elite athletes may be more susceptible to mental health problems, potentially due to the intense mental and physical demands placed on elite athletes.” (National Library of Medicine) While there are definitely many benefits to participating in sports, there is also evidence of the negative impacts sports can have on an individual. Factors like stress and pressure, self-image issues, eating disorders, burning out, injuries, and unhealthy competition or competitive attitudes can seriously affect individuals on a physical and mental level. Risk is involved in our daily lives, and when it comes to sports, risk is a part of the package. Being in an unhealthy physical environment or straining one’s body can be potentially dangerous and lead to unforeseen side effects like injury (which can lead to depression for athletes).  “This establishes a complex relationship between an athlete’s mental and physical health, such that neither can be viewed independently.” (National Library of Medicine) Overall, participating in sports can definitely provide positive outlets for individuals and help them stay healthy, but there are risks and compromises associated with exercise that must be examined and implemented on an individual level.

Articles: 

• https://seattleanxiety.com/psychiatrist/2023/9/15/exploring-the-psychological-impacts-of-participating-in-sports 

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10286465/

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10916780/

Answer 10

This claim has a great foundational article which has strong reference supports from this claim. When checking with other articles, an article from Newport Academy provided support from research from the National Library of Medicine. The article touched on how the COVID-19 pandemic was a period of analyzing the impacting of youth mental health worsening from the isolation. They also went on to suggest if any similar occurrence were to arise to have a more prepared implementation of remote implementations to combat that isolation that many had to face. The study had also delved into how being stripped of sport activities impacted girls and people of lower socioeconomic status in their findings. 

While this study and those associated with it primarily touch on the impacts within adolescence this can still be translated into adulthood and college-aged demographics. The overall practice and implementation of sports in one's life can instill a routine and go onto moderating stress and result in an overall improvement of mental status. 

https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8656946/#:~:text=Sport%20participation%20and%20exercise%20practice,and%20better%20quality%20of%20life.

https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/sports-and-mental-health/#:~:text=Exercise%20positively%20impacts%20levels%20of,%2C%20empathy%2C%20confidence%20and%20empowerment.