Addressing mental health in elite youth athletes
A recent review shows that research on elite youth athletes often focuses on disordered eating, anxiety and depression and that risk factors for mental health issues include gender, athlete status, and social relationships with coaches, parents and guardians, and peers. These findings highlight the pressing need for effective prevention measures to safeguard the mental health…
Swimming lessons in underserved communities
Swimming skills and water safety are crucial for all water-based activities and sports, particularly for children and youth. Research on extracurricular swimming programs in underserved communities demonstrates significant improvements in participants’ swimming abilities and safety knowledge, leading to increased confidence in their skills.
Community. Collaboration. Culture.
Youth sport engagement through participant driven events
Sport events often focus on adult audiences, potentially overlooking opportunities to engage youth. Participant driven events and smaller community competitions have shown greater promise in fostering long-term involvement in physical activities for youth.
Children’s swimming education
Aquatic safety is important, especially for youth looking to play water-based sport. Children’s swimming education programs have demonstrated significant improvements in aquatic readiness and motor coordination through assessments conducted before and after sessions. Children who focused on basic skills development exhibit enhanced aquatic competence, underscoring the value of personalized swimming instruction.
Keeping young athletes safe
Physical education and student enjoyment
In physical education, the method of teaching sports significantly influences student enjoyment. Alternative approaches, like the Sport Education (SE) framework, enhances lesson enjoyment and improves learning outcomes. These alternative approaches may fill the gap where traditional physical education lacks in ensuring that all students can have fun in sports.