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Do Sports Improve Your Social And Cognitive Skills?

Do people who grow up playing sports have an advantage on others in the social aspect?

This question is a big debate in modern time, however I am lucky to be a first witness for this

question. I have been playing sports my whole life, and the benefits you receive, not only in the

athletic aspect, interests me greatly. Although there are numerous athletic benefits such as

getting more fit, or having a fun way to work out, the more interesting part for me is the social

and cognitive skills one can gain from sports. Playing and working in team development is a big

point in what can improve your cognitive skills from sports. When put in a situation, where you

must win together as a team is a very underrated skill in sports. Communication and working

with one another to achieve a goal is key. As a refresher cognitive skills are the skills that help us

remember to think, read, learn and remember. This topic really intrigued me into getting

involved and doing further research on it, because I believe these skills have impacted me

tremendously and will help me throughout the future. Not only have they been prevalent for my

sport activities but also as a coach watching kids learn these skills. For many kids I can almost

get a clue of which ones lack the social and cognitive skills simply by watching them play and

practice. The really good thing about these skills is they are not very hard to develop and learn.

Repetition plays a very big role in this because it teaches our brain to remember and get in the

habit of doing the same thing over and over. In sports we are taught this to an extreme extent and

it benefits us way more than most of us know. Repetition has had one of the biggest effects on

me in helping me learn and better my skill on the court. This is why I decided I should also make

it important for the kids, so I have been teaching the youth this for quite some time now. This

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lead me to develop the question how does growing up playing sports help our social and

cognitive skills?

As I mentioned previously organized sports for younger kids help develop their social

and cognitive skills immensely. Their behavior and concentration level of skill skyrockets. For

example, ​during a game, an athlete has to be able to “read” incidental variations of the game and

position his/her body appropriately to score a goal. Early stages of learning require boosting the

motivation and pleasure of the young trainee, by doing this through sports their ability to learn

and adapt increases greatly (Sevdalis). ​However it doesn’t only stop on the court or the field, it

gets brought into other aspects of their life. It gets easier and easier for these kids because their

sports have already taught them to obey their teacher, and really focus on their work. The focus

and skill they learn on the court gets brought naturally into the classroom or for jobs, because

they have already learned it by doing sports they love. Their focus and cognition becomes

extremely improved. ​"By time they reached the fourth grade, kids who played structured sports

were identifiably better at following instructions and remaining focused in the classroom” (Coe).

This quote explains that doing the same type of work consistently benefits other aspects like in

school.Although school and sports are much different, other things carry on to one another.

Being able to focus and pay attention transfers from athletics to education. It's the same category

just different work. Something about being part of a team with a common goal helps kids

understand and process the importance of respecting the rules and gives them the extra step to be

on top of their respond. Sports gives them a fun way to learn this, and then they inherently bring

that mind set into the classroom.

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I had the opportunity to meet with Ron Pangilinan, head varsity coach at Northgate High

School, to ask a few questions, where we discussed the ways in which sports affect kids’ work

ethics off of the field or court. He replied with “Many of these young kids were engraved with

the mindset to work hard on and off the court as most coaches teach their kids. They have the

ability and mindset to perform their work it is simply up to them to do it.” This spoke in depth to

me, in the way that I have experienced this first hand. I have learned a hard and driven mindset

on the court which has also impacted my academics. We dove into this topic, and discussed if he

personally has noticed a similarity between kids who work hard on the court and also receive

grades that portray academic excellence. He stated that yes he can tell this similarity, however

the issue comes to time. It is extremely hard for students to even their time between sports and

academics, however the ones who have the driven dedication learned at a young age excell and

can master both school and athletics.

The American Academy of Pediatric stated that sports teach kids common knowledge,

and they teach the established rules for the sake of everyone. These skills help you extravagantly

when growing older and making relationships with other people, whether it is in the workforce or

personal relationships (Koolbreeze). Another big factor is helping develop other kids’ characters.

Most coaches have a main goal of teaching their kids respect. The youth are taught to commit to

a long term commitment, by being on the team or playing a full season of sports. This is where

their dedication and focus comes in. If they can stay focused and work on the skills they learned

such as working on their teamwork, what they have practiced, and their respect for one another

and the coach, then they can do their schoolwork with the same skill of focusing on what they

have learned . Hard work transfers from athletics to academics. This is mindset will benefit them

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in the future with jobs and much more. Young athletes are taught to remain positive throughout

the season. If your team goes on a losing streak, the goal is to remain positive and keep working.

As I said it goes from athletics to academics, so if they receive a bad test grade they will know to

remain positive and work even harder for the next test.

For my project, I had the honor to interview someone who has greatly impacted my

basketball career, Coach Jim Croy. Jim Croy has had an outstanding basketball career, starting

with winning the state championship at Northgate high school, playing on the basketball team at

California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, furthermore at Westmont University in

Santa Barbara, and lastly currently owning a basketball gym and coaching lots of players at

Elevate Gym in Concord. During my interview with Coach Croy, someone who coached me up

until high school, and was an impactful role model for me, we discussed largely the way playing

basketball has improved the kids personalities, traits, and characteristics off the court. For

example we touched base on the question of how sports help kids’ social skills. In which he

answered: “Their social skills accelerate exceedingly to another level from sports. These children

are forced to communicate and work with one another to help the team. The only way for a team

to truly be successful is for the players to work together. Without one another it just won't work.

They learn to communicate extremely well, and help one another out to pursue the goal of the

team to win. This being said they all are very social in talking to one another and acting as a

team not simply as one player” I also learned this firsthand with the kids I have coached and

also reached the same conclusion. Furthermore I asked how and why cognitive skills are so

important in sports? For this he answered: “Cognitive skills play a huge role in sports. Whether

it's remembering or acting out the skills they have learned, it all is cognitive. You have to be

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familiar with the sport and no what to do and how to act fast. What to do in each situation or

even remembering a play, it all comes back to processing information and bringing it from the

mind to the court or field” Lastly we discussed if as a coach you can tell which kids have

benefited from sports socially and which players haven’t. We both decided that yes, at a young

age for kids it is very visible which kids have the ability to accel socially and which don't. I can

tell with how they interact with me (the coach), some look me in the eye when they talk to me

and some avoid eye contact as much as possible. One of my main goals is to have these kids

learn more than just the game, I want them to look beyond that and see what else they can gain

from a sport without the athletic aspect.

Physical education and sports have an educational effect. The mechanisms by which

students may improve academic achievement as a result of increased physical activity through

physical education include increased arousal and reduced boredom, which lead to increased

attention span and concentration (Coe). You can see a difference in their motor skills and

performance in the educational characteristic. These are fundamental beginning skills that that

help you indefinitely in multiple types of scenarios whether it is athletics, academics, or even

trying to get a job in the future (Grow). This gives me a reason why all parents should try to get

their kids involved in athletics at a young age. There are morals that are taught with sports which

is a very underrated realization that comes from being an athlete. We learn to respect others and

respect rules, that will further go past sports. Sports go way beyond just getting active and

playing the sport you enjoy. Sport-based programs have shown to improve the performance of

student athletes in the classroom, encouraging them to attend school more often, and have the

desire and drive to get better grades (The Social). For example, there was a research study in

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Namibia, the kids who participated sports were more likely to have a chance of passing the 10th

grade. This here shows that students who have played sports or still do they understand their

goals and they have a driven mindset that was established in sports. They learn more than simply

trying to increase their athletic skill level. They understand how dedication and hard work is

salient to be successful in school and takes a lot of hard work and energy to achieve the grades

you want to attain. School is almost like a different type of sport. Although sports and school are

abundantly different the same work ethic is applied for both. For sport practice your physical

work ethic is tremendously important and in academics you create a mental work ethic to gain

knowledge.

The following statement provides major backing to the idea that the cognitive skills you

learn on the court/field are always applied elsewhere. “​This might have to do with the increased

cognitive ability that comes from playing sports. Physical activity naturally increases blood flow

to the brain and activates endorphins, chemicals that are released when you exercise. Endorphins

can impact your mood and work performance, meaning athletes may be more willing and

capable of tackling that next big problem(James).” Our body and mind carry over skills learned

in one are to another subject that could be beneficial, for instance when we play sports we get

very concentrated. This concentration could be carried onto academics and improve a students

focus, which could have a huge impact on that kids performance in the classroom. Research done

by Canadian fitness and Lifestyle research institute states that exercise can lead to relaxation and

have a big effect on stress which can carry directly into academics . This can help your daily

mood, concentration on the task at hand, problem solving, and can make you a more positive

person in general.

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“Team athletes are constantly working with a slate of other people, many of whom can

become positive role models along the way. Team sports foster mentorship between older

players and younger players, coaches and athletes, and more. Coaches in particular can play an

important role in a young athlete’s life. Players who have positive sports mentors when they’re

young are also more likely to seek effective role models throughout their life(maslen).” I believe

if you have multiple or even one role model to look up to it can give you a lot mentally and

socially. Someone who can give you advice all the time knowing they were once in your shoes

can also further your social skills. Having someone who has the perspective from a more mature

level gives you more insight for how your social skills can improve, and what you can reach to

be.

Some may say that sports are simply an easy way for kids and students to get injured or

be affected negatively psychologically (Winkel). The worry this brings to parents is caused by

the inevitable news about concussions and stress sports provide. However, as research and

evidence provides it is moreover the opposite. In fact sports lead student athletes away from

drugs and drinking and in fact bring out stronger characters within students and kids. Of course

sports may occasionally have the injury and the concussion that is inevitable with contact sports

and that is the slight risk athletes run. The key to keep in mind is that the potential your child or

student may receive from the positive effects of playing a sport are much higher than the

negative effects your athlete may receive.

Although many points have been given in this paper, the most important is the way sports

affect a student athletes mental well being and social abilities growing up. As we all know, the

requirement for communication in sports plays a really big role. A lot of accomplished sports

teams would not be capable of their talent without being able to talk to one another, help

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teammates who are struggling, or even ask for help for one another. To be able to communicate

about a situation they may need help with is huge in our academic world today. It really has a

huge effect on everything, being able to discuss either issues, needs or simply asking for help. If

it was not for communication I would not be the student I am today. This is simply due to the

fact that when I need help I know I always have my teachers or classmates to help. Just like

athletics it gets carried from one to another. To create habits like communication benefits you in

multiple ways. ​Some children know how to approach a group and ask to join the fun, for other

kids, this doesn’t come to them naturally. Sports give them a way to learn how to approach

others and work with them. For me sports have had the largest impact. It has improved not only

my social, cognitive, but also my communication skills. Without these skills I would not be

where I am today.

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Work Cited

Coe, Dawn Podulka, et al. "Effect of physical education and activity levels on academic

achievement in children." ​Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise​ 38.8 (2006):

1515-1519.

Croy, Jim. Personal Interview. February 2018

“Grow Kids' Brains through Sport.” ​ScienceDaily​, ScienceDaily, 11 Nov. 2015,

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151111092546.htm​.

“How Do Youth Sports Help Improve Social Skills?” ​League Network, PBC​, 2 Aug. 2017,

www.leaguenetwork.com/youth-sports-help-improve-social-skills/​.

James. “3 Ways Team Sports Can Improve Social Skills.” ​Discover Soccer​, Discover Soccer,

12 Dec. 2013, discoversoccer.info/3-ways-team-sports-can-improve-social-skills/.

Koolbreeze, Angus. “Social Effects of Sports on Young Children.” ​LIVESTRONG.COM​, Leaf

Group, 13 June 2017,

www.livestrong.com/article/38085-social-effects-sports-young-children/​.

Pangilian. Ron. Personal Interview. February 2018

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“Physical Activity Helps Improve Social Skills.” ​Psych Central News​, 6 Oct. 2015,

psychcentral.com/news/2010/03/15/physical-activity-helps-improve-social-skills/12120.h

tml.

Sevdalis, Vassilis, & Wöllner, Clemens. (2016). Chapter 14 - Capturing Motion for

Enhancing Performance: An Embodied Cognition Perspective on Sports and the

Performing Arts. In ​Performance Psychology​ (pp. 223-234).

“Sports Players' Social Skills Success!” ​Health & Fitness Advisory​,

www.fitnessadvisory.org/2013/03/29/sports-players-social-skills-success/​.

“The Social and Academic Benefits of Team Sports.” ​Edutopia​,

www.edutopia.org/discussion/social-and-academic-benefits-team-sports​.

Vieru, Tudor. “Kids Learn Social Skills Through Sports.” ​Softpedia​, 23 July 2011,

news.softpedia.com/news/Kids-Learn-Social-Skills-Through-Sports-213039.shtml

Winkel, Brian. “Can Playing High School Sports Have Negative Effects?” ​The Hi-Line Online​,

12 Dec. 2012,

hiline.cfschools.org/2012/12/can-playing-high-school-sports-have-negative-effects/comm

ent-page-1/..

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