This 2000 study from the Women’s Sports Foundation finds both positive and negative impacts from youth sports participation. They note “That sports have positive impacts on many young people’s lives cannot be argued.”
But they do find things that all parents should also be on the look out for.
Their major conclusions:
- Athletes are less likely to use illicit drugs.
- Mixes findings about anabolic steroids. Female athletes and highly involved male athletes are nearly one and a half times more likely to use steroids than their non-athlete counterparts. Highly involved female athletes were almost twice as likely to use steroids. [note: only 2% of teenage girls overall use anabolic steroids.]
- Only highly involved athletes are more likely to binge drink.
- Athletes are less likely to smoke cigarettes (but more likely to use chewing or dipping tobacco)
- Athletes are less likely to be suicidal.
- Female athletes have more positive body images (but are more likely to attempt weight loss)
- Female athletes are more likely to wear seatbelts but also more likely to drive after drinking.