Comprehensive Study on Benefits of Sports for Girls

The Women’s Sports Foundation published there report Her Life Depends on It II in December, 2009.  It is a great resource.  This from the Executive Summary:

The research compiled in our updated report strongly suggests that sport and physical activity provide conditions that help to ensure girls’ health and well-being. Some findings identified in this report relate to:

Breast Cancer Risk:  Based on the findings from 23 studies examining the effect of moderate and vigorous physical activity during adolescence on cancer risk, those who had the highest physical activity during adolescence and young adulthood were 20% less likely to get breast cancer later in life (Lagerros et al., 2004).

Osteoporosis:  A study following pre-pubertal 10-year-old girls for 20 months found that an exercise program (engaged in three times a week for 12 minutes per session) led to an increase in bone mass. This result was not found for the girls who did not participate in the exercise program (MacKelvie et al., 2001; MacKelvie et al., 2002; MacKelvie et al., 2003; MacKelvie et al., 2004).

Smoking:  Female athletes who participated on one or two school or community sports teams were significantly less likely to smoke regularly than female non-athletes. Girls on three or more teams were even less likely to smoke regularly (Melnick et al., 2001).

Illicit Drug Use:  Two nationwide studies found that female school or community athletes were significantly less likely to use marijuana, cocaine, opiates, tranquilizers, prescription drugs, or “club drugs” like ecstasy or GHB (Ford, 2008; Miller et al, 2000; Pate et al, 2000; Yusko et al., 2008).
4 A Women’s Sports Foundation Research Report

Sexual Risk:  Female athletes were less likely to have unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex under the influence of alcohol/drugs (Lehman &Koerner, 2004; Miller et al., 2002).

Depression:  Moderate levels of exercise and/or sports activity helped protect girls and women against depression (McKercher et al., 2009; Sanders et al., 2000).

Suicide:  Female high school/college athletes were less likely to consider, plan, or attempt suicide (Brown & Blanton, 2002; Brown et al., 2007; Sabo et al, 2005; Taliaferro et al., 2008a.).

Educational Gains:  According to Troutman and Dufur (2007), females who participated in high school sports were more likely to complete college than those who did not participate in sports.

Her Life Depends On It II – Executive Summary

Her Life Depends On It II – Full Report

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