Sport has many benefits for students, and young girls especially can benefit from participating in athletics. Girls typically have lower self-esteem than boys do, and many believe that their bodies are only useful to attract a boy. Statistics from the Women’s Sports Foundation show that young female athletes have substantial social and mental benefits. They are 92 percent less likely to use drugs, 80 percent less likely to get pregnant, and three times more inclined to graduate from college.
Modern sports first emerged in late 17th-century England. Puritans drove traditional pastimes underground and gave birth to organized games. These games eventually took root and grew in popularity. Among the early pioneers of organized games were the Marylebone Cricket Club, founded in 1787. These clubs led the development of cricket and other competitive sports. Today, these games have spawned a number of social rituals. While all games can be considered a sport, there are some major differences.
A sport involves intense physical activity that builds skills. It involves moving the body through an environment and may cause physical exhaustion. In addition to improving one’s physical health, sports help children make friends and develop their sense of self-worth. Athletes compete against each other for the right to play a certain sport. However, there are some common qualities of all sports. Listed below are some of the most important benefits of participation in sports: