The Value of Sport: Wellbeing Benefits of Sport Participation during Adolescence

Oliver W. A. Wilson, Chris Whatman, Simon Walters, Sierra Keung, Dion Enari, Andy Rogers, Sarah-Kate Millar, Lesley Ferkins, Erica Hinckson, Jeremy Hapeta, Michael Sam and Justin Richards
Additional contact information
Oliver W. A. Wilson: Te Hau Kori, Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Chris Whatman: School of Sport & Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Simon Walters: School of Sport & Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Sierra Keung: School of Sport & Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Dion Enari: School of Sport & Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Andy Rogers: Sport New Zealand, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Sarah-Kate Millar: Faculty of Health, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
Lesley Ferkins: School of Sport & Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Erica Hinckson: School of Sport & Recreation, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
Jeremy Hapeta: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Michael Sam: School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Justin Richards: Te Hau Kori, Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Insight into the unique benefits of sport participation above and beyond those associated with participation in other physical activities among adolescents is limited in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between wellbeing and organised sport participation among adolescents whilst accounting for demographic characteristics and other recreational physical activity. Demographic characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, (dis)ability status), organized sport, recreational physical activity, and wellbeing were assessed in cohorts of NZ adolescents (11–17 years) between 2017 and 2019. After adjusting for demographics, better wellbeing was associated with participation in any recreational physical activity (OR = 2.49, 95%CI = 1.97–3.13), meeting physical activity recommendations (OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.47–1.81), and each additional hour of recreational physical activity (OR = 1.03, 95%CI = 1.02–1.04). After adjusting for demographics and overall recreational physical activity participation, better wellbeing was also associated with participation in any organized sport (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.49–1.86), and each additional hour of organized sport (OR = 1.09, 95%CI = 1.07–1.11). Although participation in recreational physical activity appears to be beneficial for wellbeing, organized sport appears to offer unique additional wellbeing benefits. Positive experiences of organized sport participation may offer additional wellbeing value above and beyond other recreational physical activity types in young people who are active.

Keywords: physical activity; sport; exercise; recreation; leisure; wellbeing; happiness; youth; young people (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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