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Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

Living Your Best Life: The Mindful Pursuit of Student-Athlete Thriving , Andrew Augustus

Working with Community Partners in WV: Learning How to Frame Health Equity in Physical Activity Interventions , Karly Marie Casanave-Phillips

How do college student-athletes’ understanding and expectations of mindfulness and self-compassion change through an intervention? , Blake Costalupes

“Building the Roots”: A Delphi Study Examining the Aims of a Multicultural Competency Graduate Course in Sport and Exercise Psychology , Matthew Paul Gonzalez

Exploring the Conceptualizations and Utilizations of Learning Theories in Sport Settings , Kevin R. Lou

Drivers of Change in Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions with Athletes: Investigating the Influence of Dosage, Readiness, and Attitudes , Thomas O. Minkler

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Short-Term International Sport for Development and Peace Programs: A Retrospective Analysis and Critique Informed by Stakeholders’ Perspectives in a Two-Year Follow-Up , Adam Hansell

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

'Deporte y Cambio Social': Women's Empowerment SDP Program in Mexico , Sofia Espana Perez

A Qualitative Study of College Athletes’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic , Carra Johnson

Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Student-Athletes: A Descriptive Study of Practitioners and their Perspectives , William C. Way III

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

A Phenomenological Photovoice Exploration of Female Exercisers’ Experiences of their Body in Fitness Center Environments , Katherine E. Fairhurst

Exploring the Relationship Between Hardiness and Performance in Collegiate Baseball Players , Kevin R. Lou

Using the social ecological model to build a path analysis model of physical activity in a sample of active US college students , Jonathan J. Stewart

"Yo, I Like Your Walk-Up Song": Music Integration in Professional Baseball Gamedays , Seth Swary

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Stigma, Attitudes, and Intentions to Seek Mental Health Services in College Student-Athletes , Robert C. Hilliard M.S.

Supporting The Injured Athlete: Coaches’ Perspectives On Providing Social Support , Stefanee Opal Maurice

Being Mindful of Perfectionism and Performance Among Athletes in a Judged Sport , Erika D. Van Dyke

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Competitive Aggressiveness, Anger, and the Experience of Provocation in Collegiate Athletes , Michael E. Berrebi

Functional Movement Screen Composite Scores for Collegiate Field Club Sport Athletes at One University , Daniel Camillone

Exploring the Use of Sport as a Platform for Health Promotion with Youth in Africa: A Scoping Review. , Adam H. Hansell

Use of Four Predictive Screening Variables for Determination of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction in Adolescent Soccer Athletes , Brian Hanson

Coaching life skills through sport: An application of the teaching personal and social responsibility model to youth sport in eSwatini , Zenzi Huysmans

Psychosocial Development of Junior Hockey Players , Alexander John Sturges

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

Players' Responses to and Primary Caregivers' Perceptions of Authoritarian and Authoritative Coaching in the Inner-City , Renee Brown

Examining the Impact of a Short-Term Psychological Skills Training Program on Dancers' Coping Skills, Pain Appraisals, and Injuries , Leigh A. Bryant

Changes in Athletes' Anxiety, Anger, and Impulsiveness following Concussion , Megan Byrd

Development of Ethics Education Guidelines for Undergraduate Athletic Training Education Programs , Kaitlynn Cullen

Using a Multi-Omic Approach to Investigate a Diet Intervention in Young Adults at Risk of Disease , Oluremi Ariel Famodu

Approaches to Supervision in Sport Psychology and their Influences on Initial Supervisees' Professional Development , Janaina Lima Fogaca

High School Coaches' Experiences with Openly Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Athletes , Meghan K. Halbrook

#Physical Activity: Influencing Parent Behavior Change Through Social Media , Adam Keath

The Effects of an Exercise and Kinesiotape Intervention on Forward HeadRounded Shoulder Posture and Scapular Dyskinesis , Lucas Klawiter

Student-Athletes' Experiences with Racial Microaggressions in Sport: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis , Sae-Mi Lee

The Effects of a Six Week Lumbopelvic Control and Balance Training Program in High School Basketball Players , Margaret Long

Thrombospondin-1 and Cd47 Mediate Peripheral Microvascular Dysfunction Following Pulmonary Exposure to Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes , W. Kyle Mandler

The Investigation of Motor Primitives During Human Reaching Movements and the Quantification of Post-Stroke Motor Impairment , Erienne Virginia Olesh

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

The Effect of Lower Extremity Asymmetries on Low Back and Lower Extremity Pain with Pregnancy , Erica Casto

Do Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Nutrition Affect Healthy Weight in Middle School Students in an Appalachian Community? Children's Health Opportunities Involving Coordinated Efforts in Schools (CHOICES) Project , Kibum Cho

How Far is Too Far? Understanding Identity and Overconformity in Collegiate Wrestlers , Ashley M. Coker-Cranney

An Examination of Collegiate Athletes', Undergraduate Sport Science Majors', and Athlete Majors' Intent to Pursue Collegiate Coaching as a Career , Lauren Deckelbaum

A preliminary exploration of the application of self-compassion within the context of sport injury , Zenzi Huysmans

Psychosocial Predictors of Resilience in a Military Sample , Anna-Marie C. Jaeschke

Evaluating the Efficacy of Various Modalities to Improve Arterial Stiffness , Corey Moore

The Influence Over Time of Abdominal Strength Changes on Gluteus Maximus Strength , Taylor M. Opperhauser

Use of a Functional Movement Screening Tool to Determine Injury Risk in Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Athletes , Sara E. Spencer

Adherence to Sport Rehabilitation , Kjersti A. Traaen

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

Surgery and Rehabilitation Treatment Options for Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries of the Elbow for Baseball Athletes: A Systematic Review , Amanda M. Damm

What elite men's collegiate tennis coaches look for in recruits and how they assess preferred player characteristics , Brandyn H. Fisher

The Influences of Participation in an Elite Paralympic Military Program on the Self-Identity of Active Duty Service Members with Acquired Disabilities , Lindsay M. Hammond

The Influence of Physical Activity on International Students' Cross-Cultural Adjustment: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study , Shuang Li

Becoming a Mindful Sport Psychology Consultant: Defining, Developing, and Integrating Mindfulness into Practice , Michelle M. McAlarnen

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

Certified Athletic Trainers' Abilities to Identify and Refer Athletes with Psychological Symptoms , Marc L. Cormier

Usage of Evidence Based Medicine Resources in Clinically Practicing Athletic Trainers , Kenneth G. Faldetta

Division I College Student-Athlete Career Situation and Attitudes toward Career Counseling , Adrian J. Ferrera

An Evaluation of State Employees' Preferences for Worksite-based Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Stress Management Programs , Peter Kadushin

The use of joint mobilization on mechanical instability deficits for a lateral ankle sprain: A Systematic Review , Kathleen M. Kerecman

The Effect of a Six Week Functional Training Program on Performance Outcomes in Softball , Zachary M. Mohondro

Sport Psychology "App"lication: NCAA Coaches' Preferences for a Mental Training Mobile App , Raymond F. Prior

"It's not just your dad and it's not just your coach..." The dual-role relationship in female tennis players , Olivier N. Schmid

Stoking the Flames of Wellness: An Exploration of Factors that Influence West Virginia Firefighters' Health Behaviors , Chelsea B. Wooding

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

The Influence of Gender on the Peer Leadership-Cohesion Relationship , Michael E. Berrebi

Stressors and Coping Behaviors of Female Peer Leaders Participating in College Club Sports , Leigh A. Bryant

An Exploration of Master's Degree Field Study and Teacher and Student Behavior in P.E , William J. Davis

An Exploratory Investigation of Baseball Coaches' Attitudes and Experiences With Sport Psychology , Jesse D. Michel

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Using Concept Mapping to Identify Action Steps for Physical Activity Promotion in Cancer Treatment , Sean J. Fitzpatrick

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

At-Risk Student-Athletes and Academic Achievement: Experiences of Successful and Unsuccessful First Year Collegiate Football Players , Samantha J. Monda

A Survey of Bariatric Surgical Patients' Experiences with Behavioral and Psychological Services , Jessica C. Peacock

A tailored wellness intervention for college students using internet-based technology , Alessandro Quartiroli

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The effects of a walking intervention on self-efficacy for coping with cancer and quality of life among cancer patients during treatment , Sean J. Fitzpatrick

Validity and reliability of accelerometers for examining vertical jump performance , Ryan M. Ruben

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

The evaluation of a nutrition education and fitness program with a contest component among college students using the RE-AIM framework , Michelle L. Bartlett

An individualized multimodal mental skills intervention for college athletes undergoing injury rehabilitation , Jamie L. Shapiro

The role of emotional intelligence on coach-athlete relationships and motivational climate , Eric E. Steege

Theses/Dissertations from 2008 2008

Effectiveness of an educational intervention on the attitudes toward sport psychology of athletic training students , Damien Clement

Impact of a physical activity intervention for weight loss: A qualitative analysis of participant perceptions and expectations , Jessica Anne Creasy

Leadership and organizational culture transformation in professional sport , Joe Frontiera

Motivation in sport: Bridging historical and contemporary theory through a qualitative approach , Daniel J. Leidl

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Impact of a tailored intervention on coaches' attitudes and use of sport psychology services , Rebecca Zakrajsek

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Does physical disability truly create impairment in adjustment to college life? , Jennifer R. Hurst

The transtheoretical model and psychological skills training: Application and implications with elite female athletes , Linda Ann Keeler

Theses/Dissertations from 2005 2005

The role of apoptosis in muscle remodeling , Parco Ming-fai Siu

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SPORTS COMPLEX THESIS

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Exercise and Sport Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

A Quantification Of The Metabolic Demand Wrought By Explosive Ordinance Disposal Load Carriage , Gage Cousineau

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The Effects Of External Load And Body Composition On The Sebt In Marching Band Performers , Alexander Alvarez

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Comparing Shoulder Manual Muscle Testing With Scapular Retraction And Core Activation , Kyrsten Henry

Efficacy of pain scales in athletic populations and paired with aglometric measurements , Elisabeth Anne Ohrnberger

Body Composition Assessment Results And Predicting Injury Patterns In Collegiate Musicians , Ellen Reinhold

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Athletic Identity, Need Satisfaction, and Burnout in Collegiate Athletes , Rachel Brooke Daniels

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Effects Of Alpha-GPC and Huperzine-A On Short Term Memory, Anaerobic Power Output, Post Exhaustion Compared To Caffeine And Placebo In Healthy College Age Students , John P. Isaacs

The Small-Town NFL Player , BoDene Blare Pinz

Post Surgical Outcomes Following Limited-Open Carpal Tunnel Release or Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release , Keeley Shaye Smith

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The Acute Effects Of Alpha-Gpc On Hand Grip Strength, Jump Height, Power Output, Mood, And Reaction-Time In Recreationally Trained, College-Aged Individuals , Josey Lucas Cruse

Use Of Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Measurements To Evaluate Total Body Volume When Compared To Air Displacement Plethysmography For Evaluating Body Composition In A Four Compartment Model , Lee Doernte

The Link between Overweight, Obesity, and Perceived Exercise Benefits and Barriers among College Students , Alexandra Szarabajko

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The Effects Of Caffeine Supplementation When Manipulating The Time Of Ingestion Prior To Simulated Rugby Union Activity , Zachary William Bell

Locomotor Skill Development in Response to an Electronic Visual Exercise System in Children with Sensory Impairments , Sara Johnson

The Effect Of Practical Blood Flow Restriction Training On Body Composition And Muscular Strength In College-Aged Individuals , Zachary R. Salyers

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The Relationship Between Personality Type And Exercise Motivation , Kayla Michelle Bowman

The relationship between coaching environment and athlete attributional style , Una Britton

The Effects on Acute Power Production Enhancement and Maintenance due to Pre-workout Supplementation in Recreationally trained College Aged Males. , Mark Travis Byrd

Educational Professionals' Current Knowledge of Concussions And Return To Learn Implementation Practice , Michelle Kuzma

Effects Of A Six-Week Functional Training Program On Fitness And Body Composition Of Fire Science Majors , Kristen Anne LeBrun

Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity in Relation to Class Standing in University Students , Codie Monhollen

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The Effects of Active Recovery during High Intensity Resistance Training on Lactate Clearance in Collegiate Athletes , Christopher Alexander Perry

Physical, Emotional, and Competitive Aggression Tendencies in Contact and Non-Contact Collegiate Athletes , Samyra Rose Safraoui

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Relationship Between Personality And Exercise Motivation In Weight Loss , Leanna Beth Bowles

The Effects of Fatigue on a Dual-Task Postural Control Measure , Allisha R. Guzdial

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Perceptions Of Athletic Training Services Of Japanese Collegiate Student Athletes , Jun Matsuno

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An Eccentric Intervention of the Flexor-Pronator Mass To Impact Overhead Throwing Distance and Velocity , Ricker Stanton Adkins

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Department of Exercise and Sports Science

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Systematic review update
Open access
Published: 21 June 2023

The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model

Narelle Eather ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6320-4540 1 , 2 ,
Levi Wade ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4007-5336 1 , 3 ,
Aurélie Pankowiak ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-0178-513X 4 &
Rochelle Eime ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-8614-2813 4 , 5

Systematic Reviews volume 12 , Article number: 102 ( 2023 ) Cite this article

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Sport is a subset of physical activity that can be particularly beneficial for short-and-long-term physical and mental health, and social outcomes in adults. This study presents the results of an updated systematic review of the mental health and social outcomes of community and elite-level sport participation for adults. The findings have informed the development of the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model for adults.

Nine electronic databases were searched, with studies published between 2012 and March 2020 screened for inclusion. Eligible qualitative and quantitative studies reported on the relationship between sport participation and mental health and/or social outcomes in adult populations. Risk of bias (ROB) was determined using the Quality Assessment Tool (quantitative studies) or Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (qualitative studies).

The search strategy located 8528 articles, of which, 29 involving adults 18–84 years were included for analysis. Data was extracted for demographics, methodology, and study outcomes, and results presented according to study design. The evidence indicates that participation in sport (community and elite) is related to better mental health, including improved psychological well-being (for example, higher self-esteem and life satisfaction) and lower psychological ill-being (for example, reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress), and improved social outcomes (for example, improved self-control, pro-social behavior, interpersonal communication, and fostering a sense of belonging). Overall, adults participating in team sport had more favorable health outcomes than those participating in individual sport, and those participating in sports more often generally report the greatest benefits; however, some evidence suggests that adults in elite sport may experience higher levels of psychological distress. Low ROB was observed for qualitative studies, but quantitative studies demonstrated inconsistencies in methodological quality.

Conclusions

The findings of this review confirm that participation in sport of any form (team or individual) is beneficial for improving mental health and social outcomes amongst adults. Team sports, however, may provide more potent and additional benefits for mental and social outcomes across adulthood. This review also provides preliminary evidence for the Mental Health through Sport model, though further experimental and longitudinal evidence is needed to establish the mechanisms responsible for sports effect on mental health and moderators of intervention effects. Additional qualitative work is also required to gain a better understanding of the relationship between specific elements of the sporting environment and mental health and social outcomes in adult participants.

Peer Review reports

Introduction

The organizational structure of sport and the performance demands characteristic of sport training and competition provide a unique opportunity for participants to engage in health-enhancing physical activity of varied intensity, duration, and mode; and the opportunity to do so with other people as part of a team and/or club. Participation in individual and team sports have shown to be beneficial to physical, social, psychological, and cognitive health outcomes [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Often, the social and mental health benefits facilitated through participation in sport exceed those achieved through participation in other leisure-time or recreational activities [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Notably, these benefits are observed across different sports and sub-populations (including youth, adults, older adults, males, and females) [ 11 ]. However, the evidence regarding sports participation at the elite level is limited, with available research indicating that elite athletes may be more susceptible to mental health problems, potentially due to the intense mental and physical demands placed on elite athletes [ 12 ].

Participation in sport varies across the lifespan, with children representing the largest cohort to engage in organized community sport [ 13 ]. Across adolescence and into young adulthood, dropout from organized sport is common, and especially for females [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], and adults are shifting from organized sports towards leisure and fitness activities, where individual activities (including swimming, walking, and cycling) are the most popular [ 13 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Despite the general decline in sport participation with age [ 13 ], the most recent (pre-COVID) global data highlights that a range of organized team sports (such as, basketball, netball volleyball, and tennis) continue to rank highly amongst adult sport participants, with soccer remaining a popular choice across all regions of the world [ 13 ]. It is encouraging many adults continue to participate in sport and physical activities throughout their lives; however, high rates of dropout in youth sport and non-participation amongst adults means that many individuals may be missing the opportunity to reap the potential health benefits associated with participation in sport.

According to the World Health Organization, mental health refers to a state of well-being and effective functioning in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, is resilient to the stresses of life, and is able to make a positive contribution to his or her community [ 20 ]. Mental health covers three main components, including psychological, emotional and social health [ 21 ]. Further, psychological health has two distinct indicators, psychological well-being (e.g., self-esteem and quality of life) and psychological ill-being (e.g., pre-clinical psychological states such as psychological difficulties and high levels of stress) [ 22 ]. Emotional well-being describes how an individual feels about themselves (including life satisfaction, interest in life, loneliness, and happiness); and social well–being includes an individual’s contribution to, and integration in society [ 23 ].

Mental illnesses are common among adults and incidence rates have remained consistently high over the past 25 years (~ 10% of people affected globally) [ 24 ]. Recent statistics released by the World Health Organization indicate that depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders, affecting an estimated 264 million people, ranking as one of the main causes of disability worldwide [ 25 , 26 ]. Specific elements of social health, including high levels of isolation and loneliness among adults, are now also considered a serious public health concern due to the strong connections with ill-health [ 27 ]. Participation in sport has shown to positively impact mental and social health status, with a previous systematic review by Eime et al. (2013) indicated that sports participation was associated with lower levels of perceived stress, and improved vitality, social functioning, mental health, and life satisfaction [ 1 ]. Based on their findings, the authors developed a conceptual model (health through sport) depicting the relationship between determinants of adult sports participation and physical, psychological, and social health benefits of participation. In support of Eime’s review findings, Malm and colleagues (2019) recently described how sport aids in preventing or alleviating mental illness, including depressive symptoms and anxiety or stress-related disease [ 7 ]. Andersen (2019) also highlighted that team sports participation is associated with decreased rates of depression and anxiety [ 11 ]. In general, these reviews report stronger effects for sports participation compared to other types of physical activity, and a dose–response relationship between sports participation and mental health outcomes (i.e., higher volume and/or intensity of participation being associated with greater health benefits) when adults participate in sports they enjoy and choose [ 1 , 7 ]. Sport is typically more social than other forms of physical activity, including enhanced social connectedness, social support, peer bonding, and club support, which may provide some explanation as to why sport appears to be especially beneficial to mental and social health [ 28 ].

Thoits (2011) proposed several potential mechanisms through which social relationships and social support improve physical and psychological well-being [ 29 ]; however, these mechanisms have yet to be explored in the context of sports participation at any level in adults. The identification of the mechanisms responsible for such effects may direct future research in this area and help inform future policy and practice in the delivery of sport to enhance mental health and social outcomes amongst adult participants. Therefore, the primary objective of this review was to examine and synthesize all research findings regarding the relationship between sports participation, mental health and social outcomes at the community and elite level in adults. Based on the review findings, the secondary objective was to develop the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model.

This review has been registered in the PROSPERO systematic review database and assigned the identifier: CRD42020185412. The conduct and reporting of this systematic review also follows the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [ 30 ] (PRISMA flow diagram and PRISMA Checklist available in supplementary files ). This review is an update of a previous review of the same topic [ 31 ], published in 2012.

Identification of studies

Nine electronic databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Informit, Medline, PsychINFO, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched for relevant records published from 2012 to March 10, 2020. The following key terms were developed by all members of the research team (and guided by previous reviews) and entered into these databases by author LW: sport* AND health AND value OR benefit* OR effect* OR outcome* OR impact* AND psych* OR depress* OR stress OR anxiety OR happiness OR mood OR ‘quality of life’ OR ‘social health’ OR ‘social relation*’ OR well* OR ‘social connect*’ OR ‘social functioning’ OR ‘life satisfac*’ OR ‘mental health’ OR social OR sociolog* OR affect* OR enjoy* OR fun. Where possible, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were also used.

Criteria for inclusion/exclusion

The titles of studies identified using this method were screened by LW. Abstract and full text of the articles were reviewed independently by LW and NE. To be included in the current review, each study needed to meet each of the following criteria: (1) published in English from 2012 to 2020; (2) full-text available online; (3) original research or report published in a peer-reviewed journal; (4) provides data on the psychological or social effects of participation in sport (with sport defined as a subset of exercise that can be undertaken individually or as a part of a team, where participants adhere to a common set of rules or expectations, and a defined goal exists); (5) the population of interest were adults (18 years and older) and were apparently healthy. All papers retrieved in the initial search were assessed for eligibility by title and abstract. In cases where a study could not be included or excluded via their title and abstract, the full text of the article was reviewed independently by two of the authors.

Data extraction

For the included studies, the following data was extracted independently by LW and checked by NE using a customized Google Docs spreadsheet: author name, year of publication, country, study design, aim, type of sport (e.g., tennis, hockey, team, individual), study conditions/comparisons, sample size, where participants were recruited from, mean age of participants, measure of sports participation, measure of physical activity, psychological and/or social outcome/s, measure of psychological and/or social outcome/s, statistical method of analysis, changes in physical activity or sports participation, and the psychological and/or social results.

Risk of bias (ROB) assessment

A risk of bias was performed by LW and AP independently using the ‘Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies’ OR the ‘Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies’ for the included quantitative studies, and the ‘Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist for the included qualitative studies [ 32 , 33 ]. Any discrepancies in the ROB assessments were discussed between the two reviewers, and a consensus reached.

The search yielded 8528 studies, with a total of 29 studies included in the systematic review (Fig. 1 ). Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of the included studies. The research included adults from 18 to 84 years old, with most of the evidence coming from studies targeting young adults (18–25 years). Study samples ranged from 14 to 131, 962, with the most reported psychological outcomes being self-rated mental health ( n = 5) and depression ( n = 5). Most studies did not investigate or report the link between a particular sport and a specific mental health or social outcome; instead, the authors’ focused on comparing the impact of sport to physical activity, and/or individual sports compared to team sports. The results of this review are summarized in the following section, with findings presented by study design (cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal).

Flow of studies through the review process

Effects of sports participation on psychological well-being, ill-being, and social outcomes

Cross-sectional evidence.

This review included 14 studies reporting on the cross-sectional relationship between sports participation and psychological and/or social outcomes. Sample sizes range from n = 414 to n = 131,962 with a total of n = 239,394 adults included across the cross-sectional studies.

The cross-sectional evidence generally supports that participation in sport, and especially team sports, is associated with greater mental health and psychological wellbeing in adults compared to non-participants [ 36 , 59 ]; and that higher frequency of sports participation and/or sport played at a higher level of competition, are also linked to lower levels of mental distress in adults . This was not the case for one specific study involving ice hockey players aged 35 and over, with Kitchen and Chowhan (2016) Kitchen and Chowhan (2016) reporting no relationship between participation in ice hockey and either mental health, or perceived life stress [ 54 ]. There is also some evidence to support that previous participation in sports (e.g., during childhood or young adulthood) is linked to better mental health outcomes later in life, including improved mental well-being and lower mental distress [ 59 ], even after controlling for age and current physical activity.

Compared to published community data for adults, elite or high-performance adult athletes demonstrated higher levels of body satisfaction, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction [ 39 ]; and reported reduced tendency to respond to distress with anger and depression. However, rates of psychological distress were higher in the elite sport cohort (compared to community norms), with nearly 1 in 5 athletes reporting ‘high to very high’ distress, and 1 in 3 reporting poor mental health symptoms at a level warranting treatment by a health professional in one study ( n = 749) [ 39 ].

Four studies focused on the associations between physical activity and sports participation and mental health outcomes in older adults. Physical activity was associated with greater quality of life [ 56 ], with the relationship strongest for those participating in sport in middle age, and for those who cycled in later life (> 65) [ 56 ]. Group physical activities (e.g., walking groups) and sports (e.g., golf) were also significantly related to excellent self-rated health, low depressive symptoms, high health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a high frequency of laughter in males and females [ 60 , 61 ]. No participation or irregular participation in sport was associated with symptoms of mild to severe depression in older adults [ 62 ].

Several cross-sectional studies examined whether the effects of physical activity varied by type (e.g., total physical activity vs. sports participation). In an analysis of 1446 young adults (mean age = 18), total physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and team sport were independently associated with mental health [ 46 ]. Relative to individual physical activity, after adjusting for covariates and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), only team sport was significantly associated with improved mental health. Similarly, in a cross-sectional analysis of Australian women, Eime, Harvey, Payne (2014) reported that women who engaged in club and team-based sports (tennis or netball) reported better mental health and life satisfaction than those who engaged in individual types of physical activity [ 47 ]. Interestingly, there was no relationship between the amount of physical activity and either of these outcomes, suggesting that other qualities of sports participation contribute to its relationship to mental health and life satisfaction. There was also some evidence to support a relationship between exercise type (ball sports, aerobic activity, weightlifting, and dancing), and mental health amongst young adults (mean age 22 years) [ 48 ], with ball sports and dancing related to fewer symptoms of depression in students with high stress; and weightlifting related to fewer depressive symptoms in weightlifters exhibiting low stress.

Longitudinal evidence

Eight studies examined the longitudinal relationship between sports participation and either mental health and/or social outcomes. Sample sizes range from n = 113 to n = 1679 with a total of n = 7022 adults included across the longitudinal studies.

Five of the included longitudinal studies focused on the relationship between sports participation in childhood or adolescence and mental health in young adulthood. There is evidence that participation in sport in high-school is protective of future symptoms of anxiety (including panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, social phobia, and agoraphobia) [ 42 ]. Specifically, after controlling for covariates (including current physical activity), the number of years of sports participation in high school was shown to be protective of symptoms of panic and agoraphobia in young adulthood, but not protective of symptoms of social phobia or generalized anxiety disorder [ 42 ]. A comparison of individual or team sports participation also revealed that participation in either context was protective of panic disorder symptoms, while only team sport was protective of agoraphobia symptoms, and only individual sport was protective of social phobia symptoms. Furthermore, current and past sports team participation was shown to negatively relate to adult depressive symptoms [ 43 ]; drop out of sport was linked to higher depressive symptoms in adulthood compared to those with maintained participation [ 9 , 22 , 63 ]; and consistent participation in team sports (but not individual sport) in adolescence was linked to higher self-rated mental health, lower perceived stress and depressive symptoms, and lower depression scores in early adulthood [ 53 , 58 ].

Two longitudinal studies [ 35 , 55 ], also investigated the association between team and individual playing context and mental health. Dore and colleagues [ 35 ] reported that compared to individual activities, being active in informal groups (e.g., yoga, running groups) or team sports was associated with better mental health, fewer depressive symptoms and higher social connectedness – and that involvement in team sports was related to better mental health regardless of physical activity volume. Kim and James [ 55 ] discovered that sports participation led to both short and long-term improvements in positive affect and life satisfaction.

A study on social outcomes related to mixed martial-arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) showed that both sports improved practitioners’ self-control and pro-social behavior, with greater improvements seen in the BJJ group [ 62 ]. Notably, while BJJ reduced participants’ reported aggression, there was a slight increase in MMA practitioners, though it is worth mentioning that individuals who sought out MMA had higher levels of baseline aggression.

Experimental evidence

Six of the included studies were experimental or quasi-experimental. Sample sizes ranged from n = 28 to n = 55 with a total of n = 239 adults included across six longitudinal studies. Three studies involved a form of martial arts (such as judo and karate) [ 45 , 51 , 52 ], one involved a variety of team sports (such as netball, soccer, and cricket) [ 34 ], and the remaining two focused on badminton [ 57 ] and handball [ 49 ].

Brinkley and colleagues [ 34 ] reported significant effects on interpersonal communication (but not vitality, social cohesion, quality of life, stress, or interpersonal relationships) for participants ( n = 40) engaging in a 12-week workplace team sports intervention. Also using a 12-week intervention, Hornstrup et al. [ 49 ] reported a significant improvement in mental energy (but not well-being or anxiety) in young women (mean age = 24; n = 28) playing in a handball program. Patterns et al. [ 57 ] showed that in comparison to no exercise, participation in an 8-week badminton or running program had no significant improvement on self-esteem, despite improvements in perceived and actual fitness levels.

Three studies examined the effect of martial arts on the mental health of older adults (mean ages 79 [ 52 ], 64 [ 51 ], and 70 [ 45 ] years). Participation in Karate-Do had positive effects on overall mental health, emotional wellbeing, depression and anxiety when compared to other activities (physical, cognitive, mindfulness) and a control group [ 51 , 52 ]. Ciaccioni et al. [ 45 ] found that a Judo program did not affect either the participants’ mental health or their body satisfaction, citing a small sample size, and the limited length of the intervention as possible contributors to the findings.

Qualitative evidence

Three studies interviewed current or former sports players regarding their experiences with sport. Chinkov and Holt [ 41 ] reported that jiu-jitsu practitioners (mean age 35 years) were more self-confident in their lives outside of the gym, including improved self-confidence in their interactions with others because of their training. McGraw and colleagues [ 37 ] interviewed former and current National Football League (NFL) players and their families about its impact on the emotional and mental health of the players. Most of the players reported that their NFL career provided them with social and emotional benefits, as well as improvements to their self-esteem even after retiring. Though, despite these benefits, almost all the players experienced at least one mental health challenge during their career, including depression, anxiety, or difficulty controlling their temper. Some of the players and their families reported that they felt socially isolated from people outside of the national football league.

Through a series of semi-structured interviews and focus groups, Thorpe, Anders [ 40 ] investigated the impact of an Aboriginal male community sporting team on the health of its players. The players reported they felt a sense of belonging when playing in the team, further noting that the social and community aspects were as important as the physical health benefits. Participating in the club strengthened the cultural identity of the players, enhancing their well-being. The players further noted that participation provided them with enjoyment, stress relief, a sense of purpose, peer support, and improved self-esteem. Though they also noted challenges, including the presence of racism, community conflict, and peer-pressure.

Quality of studies

Full details of our risk of bias (ROB) results are provided in Supplementary Material A . Of the three qualitative studies assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP), all three were deemed to have utilised and reported appropriate methodological standards on at least 8 of the 10 criteria. Twenty studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies, with all studies clearly reporting the research question/s or objective/s and study population. However, only four studies provided a justification for sample size, and less than half of the studies met quality criteria for items 6, 7, 9, or 10 (and items 12 and 13 were largely not applicable). Of concern, only four of the observational or cohort studies were deemed to have used clearly defined, valid, and reliable exposure measures (independent variables) and implemented them consistently across all study participants. Six studies were assessed using the Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies, with three studies described as a randomized trial (but none of the three reported a suitable method of randomization, concealment of treatment allocation, or blinding to treatment group assignment). Three studies showed evidence that study groups were similar at baseline for important characteristics and an overall drop-out rate from the study < 20%. Four studies reported high adherence to intervention protocols (with two not reporting) and five demonstrated that.study outcomes were assessed using valid and reliable measures and implemented consistently across all study participants. Importantly, researchers did not report or have access to validated instruments for assessing sport participation or physical activity amongst adults, though most studies provided psychometrics for their mental health outcome measure/s. Only one study reported that the sample size was sufficiently powered to detect a difference in the main outcome between groups (with ≥ 80% power) and that all participants were included in the analysis of results (intention-to-treat analysis). In general, the methodological quality of the six randomised studies was deemed low.

Initially, our discussion will focus on the review findings regarding sports participation and well-being, ill-being, and psychological health. However, the heterogeneity and methodological quality of the included research (especially controlled trials) should be considered during the interpretation of our results. Considering our findings, the Mental Health through Sport conceptual model for adults will then be presented and discussed and study limitations outlined.

Sports participation and psychological well-being

In summary, the evidence presented here indicates that for adults, sports participation is associated with better overall mental health [ 36 , 46 , 47 , 59 ], mood [ 56 ], higher life satisfaction [ 39 , 47 ], self-esteem [ 39 ], body satisfaction [ 39 ], HRQoL [ 60 ], self-rated health [ 61 ], and frequency of laughter [ 61 ]. Sports participation has also shown to be predictive of better psychological wellbeing over time [ 35 , 53 ], higher positive affect [ 55 ], and greater life satisfaction [ 55 ]. Furthermore, higher frequency of sports participation and/or sport played at a higher level of competition, have been linked to lower levels of mental distress, higher levels of body satisfaction, self-esteem, and overall life satisfaction in adults [ 39 ].

Despite considerable heterogeneity of sports type, cross-sectional and experimental research indicate that team-based sports participation, compared to individual sports and informal group physical activity, has a more positive effect on mental energy [ 49 ], physical self-perception [ 57 ], and overall psychological health and well-being in adults, regardless of physical activity volume [ 35 , 46 , 47 ]. And, karate-do benefits the subjective well-being of elderly practitioners [ 51 , 52 ]. Qualitative research in this area has queried participants’ experiences of jiu-jitsu, Australian football, and former and current American footballers. Participants in these sports reported that their participation was beneficial for psychological well-being [ 37 , 40 , 41 ], improved self-esteem [ 37 , 40 , 41 ], and enjoyment [ 37 ].

Sports participation and psychological ill-being

Of the included studies, n = 19 examined the relationship between participating in sport and psychological ill-being. In summary, there is consistent evidence that sports participation is related to lower depression scores [ 43 , 48 , 61 , 62 ]. There were mixed findings regarding psychological stress, where participation in childhood (retrospectively assessed) was related to lower stress in young adulthood [ 41 ], but no relationship was identified between recreational hockey in adulthood and stress [ 54 ]. Concerning the potential impact of competing at an elite level, there is evidence of higher stress in elite athletes compared to community norms [ 39 ]. Further, there is qualitative evidence that many current or former national football league players experienced at least one mental health challenge, including depression, anxiety, difficulty controlling their temper, during their career [ 37 ].

Evidence from longitudinal research provided consistent evidence that participating in sport in adolescence is protective of symptoms of depression in young adulthood [ 43 , 53 , 58 , 63 ], and further evidence that participating in young adulthood is related to lower depressive symptoms over time (6 months) [ 35 ]. Participation in adolescence was also protective of manifestations of anxiety (panic disorder and agoraphobia) and stress in young adulthood [ 42 ], though participation in young adulthood was not related to a more general measure of anxiety [ 35 ] nor to changes in negative affect [ 55 ]). The findings from experimental research were mixed. Two studies examined the effect of karate-do on markers of psychological ill-being, demonstrating its capacity to reduce anxiety [ 52 ], with some evidence of its effectiveness on depression [ 51 ]. The other studies examined small-sided team-based games but showed no effect on stress or anxiety [ 34 , 49 ]. Most studies did not differentiate between team and individual sports, though one study found that adolescents who participated in team sports (not individual sports) in secondary school has lower depression scores in young adulthood [ 58 ].

Sports participation and social outcomes

Seven of the included studies examined the relationship between sports participation and social outcomes. However, very few studies examined social outcomes or tested a social outcome as a potential mediator of the relationship between sport and mental health. It should also be noted that this body of evidence comes from a wide range of sport types, including martial arts, professional football, and workplace team-sport, as well as different methodologies. Taken as a whole, the evidence shows that participating in sport is beneficial for several social outcomes, including self-control [ 50 ], pro-social behavior [ 50 ], interpersonal communication [ 34 ], and fostering a sense of belonging [ 40 ]. Further, there is evidence that group activity, for example team sport or informal group activity, is related to higher social connectedness over time, though analyses showed that social connectedness was not a mediator for mental health [ 35 ].

There were conflicting findings regarding social effects at the elite level, with current and former NFL players reporting that they felt socially isolated during their career [ 37 ], whilst another study reported no relationship between participation at the elite level and social dysfunction [ 39 ]. Conversely, interviews with a group of indigenous men revealed that they felt as though participating in an all-indigenous Australian football team provided them with a sense of purpose, and they felt as though the social aspect of the game was as important as the physical benefits it provides [ 40 ].

Mental health through sport conceptual model for adults

The ‘Health through Sport’ model provides a depiction of the determinants and benefits of sports participation [ 31 ]. The model recognises that the physical, mental, and social benefits of sports participation vary by the context of sport (e.g., individual vs. team, organized vs. informal). To identify the elements of sport which contribute to its effect on mental health outcomes, we describe the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ model (Fig. 2 ). The model proposes that the social and physical elements of sport each provide independent, and likely synergistic contributions to its overall influence on mental health.

The Mental Health through Sport conceptual model

The model describes two key pathways through which sport may influence mental health: physical activity, and social relationships and support. Several likely moderators of this effect are also provided, including sport type, intensity, frequency, context (team vs. individual), environment (e.g., indoor vs. outdoor), as well as the level of competition (e.g., elite vs. amateur).

The means by which the physical activity component of sport may influence mental health stems from the work of Lubans et al., who propose three key groups of mechanisms: neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral [ 64 ]. Processes whereby physical activity may enhance psychological outcomes via changes in the structural and functional composition of the brain are referred to as neurobiological mechanisms [ 65 , 66 ]. Processes whereby physical activity provides opportunities for the development of self-efficacy, opportunity for mastery, changes in self-perceptions, the development of independence, and for interaction with the environment are considered psychosocial mechanisms. Lastly, processes by which physical activity may influence behaviors which ultimately affect psychological health, including changes in sleep duration, self-regulation, and coping skills, are described as behavioral mechanisms.

Playing sport offers the opportunity to form relationships and to develop a social support network, both of which are likely to influence mental health. Thoits [ 29 ] describes 7 key mechanisms by which social relationships and support may influence mental health: social influence/social comparison; social control; role-based purpose and meaning (mattering); self-esteem; sense of control; belonging and companionship; and perceived support availability [ 29 ]. These mechanisms and their presence within a sporting context are elaborated below.

Subjective to the attitudes and behaviors of individuals in a group, social influence and comparison may facilitate protective or harmful effects on mental health. Participants in individual or team sport will be influenced and perhaps steered by the behaviors, expectations, and norms of other players and teams. When individual’s compare their capabilities, attitudes, and values to those of other participants, their own behaviors and subsequent health outcomes may be affected. When others attempt to encourage or discourage an individual to adopt or reject certain health practices, social control is displayed [ 29 ]. This may evolve as strategies between players (or between players and coach) are discussion and implemented. Likewise, teammates may try to motivate each another during a match to work harder, or to engage in specific events or routines off-field (fitness programs, after game celebrations, attending club events) which may impact current and future physical and mental health.

Sport may also provide behavioral guidance, purpose, and meaning to its participants. Role identities (positions within a social structure that come with reciprocal obligations), often formed as a consequence of social ties formed through sport. Particularly in team sports, participants come to understand they form an integral part of the larger whole, and consequently, they hold certain responsibility in ensuring the team’s success. They have a commitment to the team to, train and play, communicate with the team and a potential responsibility to maintain a high level of health, perform to their capacity, and support other players. As a source of behavioral guidance and of purpose and meaning in life, these identities are likely to influence mental health outcomes amongst sport participants.

An individual’s level of self-esteem may be affected by the social relationships and social support provided through sport; with improved perceptions of capability (or value within a team) in the sporting domain likely to have positive impact on global self-esteem and sense of worth [ 64 ]. The unique opportunities provided through participation in sport, also allow individuals to develop new skills, overcome challenges, and develop their sense of self-control or mastery . Working towards and finding creative solutions to challenges in sport facilitates a sense of mastery in participants. This sense of mastery may translate to other areas of life, with individual’s developing the confidence to cope with varied life challenges. For example, developing a sense of mastery regarding capacity to formulate new / creative solutions when taking on an opponent in sport may result in greater confidence to be creative at work. Social relationships and social support provided through sport may also provide participants with a source of belonging and companionship. The development of connections (on and off the field) to others who share common interests, can build a sense of belonging that may mediate improvements in mental health outcomes. Social support is often provided emotionally during expressions of trust and care; instrumentally via tangible assistance; through information such as advice and suggestions; or as appraisal such feedback. All forms of social support provided on and off the field contribute to a more generalised sense of perceived support that may mediate the effect of social interaction on mental health outcomes.

Participation in sport may influence mental health via some combination of the social mechanisms identified by Thoits, and the neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral mechanisms stemming from physical activity identified by Lubans [ 29 , 64 ]. The exact mechanisms through which sport may confer psychological benefit is likely to vary between sports, as each sport varies in its physical and social requirements. One must also consider the social effects of sports participation both on and off the field. For instance, membership of a sporting team and/or club may provide a sense of identity and belonging—an effect that persists beyond the immediacy of playing the sport and may have a persistent effect on their psychological health. Furthermore, the potential for team-based activity to provide additional benefit to psychological outcomes may not just be attributable to the differences in social interactions, there are also physiological differences in the requirements for sport both within (team vs. team) and between (team vs. individual) categories that may elicit additional improvements in psychological outcomes. For example, evidence supports that exercise intensity moderates the relationship between physical activity and several psychological outcomes—supporting that sports performed at higher intensity will be more beneficial for psychological health.

Limitations and recommendations

There are several limitations of this review worthy of consideration. Firstly, amongst the included studies there was considerable heterogeneity in study outcomes and study methodology, and self-selection bias (especially in non-experimental studies) is likely to influence study findings and reduce the likelihood that study participants and results are representative of the overall population. Secondly, the predominately observational evidence included in this and Eime’s prior review enabled us to identify the positive relationship between sports participation and social and psychological health (and examine directionality)—but more experimental and longitudinal research is required to determine causality and explore potential mechanisms responsible for the effect of sports participation on participant outcomes. Additional qualitative work would also help researchers gain a better understanding of the relationship between specific elements of the sporting environment and mental health and social outcomes in adult participants. Thirdly, there were no studies identified in the literature where sports participation involved animals (such as equestrian sports) or guns (such as shooting sports). Such studies may present novel and important variables in the assessment of mental health benefits for participants when compared to non-participants or participants in sports not involving animals/guns—further research is needed in this area. Our proposed conceptual model also identifies several pathways through which sport may lead to improvements in mental health—but excludes some potentially negative influences (such as poor coaching behaviors and injury). And our model is not designed to capture all possible mechanisms, creating the likelihood that other mechanisms exist but are not included in this review. Additionally, an interrelationship exits between physical activity, mental health, and social relationships, whereby changes in one area may facilitate changes in the other/s; but for the purpose of this study, we have focused on how the physical and social elements of sport may mediate improvements in psychological outcomes. Consequently, our conceptual model is not all-encompassing, but designed to inform and guide future research investigating the impact of sport participation on mental health.

The findings of this review endorse that participation in sport is beneficial for psychological well-being, indicators of psychological ill-being, and social outcomes in adults. Furthermore, participation in team sports is associated with better psychological and social outcomes compared to individual sports or other physical activities. Our findings support and add to previous review findings [ 1 ]; and have informed the development of our ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model for adults which presents the potential mechanisms by which participation in sport may affect mental health.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the work of the original systematic review conducted by Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., and Payne, W. R. (2013).

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Narelle Eather & Levi Wade

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Narelle Eather

College of Health, Medicine, and Wellbeing, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia

Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Ballarat Road, Footscray, VIC, 3011, Australia

Aurélie Pankowiak & Rochelle Eime

School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, University Drive, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia

Rochelle Eime

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All authors contributed to the conducting of this study and reporting the findings. The titles of studies identified were screened by LW, and abstracts and full text articles reviewed independently by LW and NE. For the included studies, data was extracted independently by LW and checked by NE, and the risk of bias assessment was performed by LW and AP independently. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with the order of presentation of the authors.

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Eather, N., Wade, L., Pankowiak, A. et al. The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model. Syst Rev 12 , 102 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02264-8

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How to Write a Non-Cliche College Essay About Sports + Examples

What’s covered:, what makes a sports essay cliche.

How To Make Your Sports Essay Unique

Great Examples of College Essays About Sports

Where to get your college essay edited for free, or by an expert.

You’ve been brainstorming essay topics for your college applications, and you think you’ve finally found the right one: an extended metaphor likening your experience on the field with overcoming personal struggles. The problem: many other students have this same thought.

The purpose of a college essay is to make yourself stand out as a unique individual, but when students write about sports, they often blend in. Because of that, students are usually advised to pick a different topic.

That being said, it is possible to write a non-cliche college essay about sports if you put in a little extra effort. Read along to learn how to make your sports essay different from all the other sports essays.

Sports essays are cliche when they follow a standard trajectory. Some of these trajectories include writing a story about:

An agonizing defeat
Forging bonds with teammates
Overcoming adversity
Overcoming an injury
Refusing to quit
Victory during a big game

Because sports essays have very similar themes and “lessons learned,” it can be difficult to make your story stand out. These trajectories also often focus too much on the sport or storyline, and not enough on the writer’s reflections and personality.

As you write your essay, try to think about what your experience says about you rather than what you learned from your experience. You are more than just one lesson you learned!

(Keep in mind that the sports essay is not the only college essay cliche. Learn about other essay cliches and how to fix them in our complete guide).

How to Make Your Sports Essay Unique

1. focus on a specific moment or reflection..

The college essay is a way for students to humanize themselves to admissions officers. You do not feel human if you are describing yourself as just another player on the field!

One important way to make your essay about you (not just about sports) is by focusing on a specific moment in time and inviting the reader to join you in that moment. Explain to the reader what it would be like to be sitting in that locker room as you questioned the values of the other players on your team. Ask your reader to sit with you on the cot in the trainer’s room as your identity was stripped away from you when they said “your body can’t take this anymore.” Bring your reader to the dinner table and involve them in your family’s conversation about how sports were affecting your mental health and your treatment of those around you.

Intense descriptions of a specific experience will evoke emotions in your reader and allow them to connect with you and feel for you.

When in doubt, avoid anything that can be covered by ESPN. On ESPN, we see the games, we see the benches, we even see the locker rooms and training rooms. Take your reader somewhere different and show them something unique.

2. Use sports to point out broader themes in your life.

The main risk when writing about sports is neglecting to write about yourself. Before you get started, think about the main values that you want to express in your sports essay. Sports are simply your avenue for telling the reader what makes you unique.

As a test, imagine if you were a pianist. Would you be able to talk about these same values? What if you were a writer? Or a chemist? Articulating your values is the end, and sports should simply be your means.

Some values that you might want to focus on:

Autonomy (you want to be able to set your mind to anything and achieve it on your own)
Growth (you seek improvement constantly)
Curiosity (you are willing to try anything once)
Vulnerability (you aren’t afraid to fail, as long as you give it your all)
Community (you value the feedback of others and need camaraderie to succeed)
Craft (you think that with deliberate care, anything can be perfected)
Responsibility (you believe that you owe something to those around you and perhaps they also owe something to you)

You can use the ESPN check again to make sure that you are using sports as an avenue to show your depth.

Things ESPN covers: how a player reacts to defeat, how injuries affect a player’s gameplay/attitude, how players who don’t normally work well together are working together on their new team.

Things ESPN doesn’t cover: the conversation that a player had with their mother about fear of death before going into a big surgery (value: family and connection), the ways that the intense pressure to succeed consumed a player to the point they couldn’t be there for the people in their life (value: supporting others and community), the body image issues that weigh on a player’s mind when playing their sport and how they overcame those (value: health and growth).

3. Turn a cliche storyline on its head.

There’s no getting around the fact that sports essays are often cliche. But there is a way to confront the cliche head-on. For example, lots of people write essays about the lessons they learned from an injury, victory, and so on, but fewer students explain how they are embracing those lessons.

Perhaps you learned that competition is overwhelming for you and you prefer teamwork, so you switched from playing basketball to playing Dungeons & Dragons. Maybe, when your softball career ended abruptly, you had to find a new identity and that’s when you became obsessed with your flower garden and decided to pursue botany. Or maybe, you have stuck with football through it all, but your junior-year mental health struggle showed you that football should be fun and you have since started a nonprofit for local children to healthily engage with sports.

If your story itself is more cliche, try bringing readers to the present moment with you and show why the cliche matters and what it did for you. This requires a fair amount of creativity. Ensure you’re not parroting a frequently used topic by really thinking deeply to find your own unique spin.

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger.

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual.

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous.

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée, while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers.

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable.

Why it works:

What’s especially powerful about this essay is that the author uses detailed imagery to convey a picture of what they’re experiencing, so much so that the reader is along for the ride. This works as a sports essay not only because of the language and sensory details, but also because the writer focuses on a specific moment in time, while at the same time exploring why Taekwondo is such an important part of their life.

After the emotional image is created, the student finishes their essay with valuable reflection. With the reflection, they show admissions officers that they are mature and self-aware. Self-awareness comes through with statements like “surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become” and maturity can be seen through the student’s discussion of values “honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.” These are the kinds of comments that should find their way into a sports essay!

“Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one.

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we compete with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

In the beginning, you might think this is another cliche sports essay about overcoming adversity. But instead, it becomes a unique statement and coming-of-age tale that reads as a suspenseful narrative.

The author connects their experience with martial arts to larger themes in their life but manages to do so without riffing off of tried-and-true themes. Through statements like “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was” we learn about the students values and their desire to be there for those who depend on them.

The student also brings it full circle, demonstrating their true transformation. By using the “Same, but Different” ending technique , the student places themself in the same environment that we saw in the intro, but experiences it differently due to their actions throughout the narrative. This is very compelling!

“1…2…3…4 pirouettes! New record!” My friends cheered as I landed my turns. Pleased with my progress, I gazed down at my worn-out pointe shoes. The sweltering blisters, numbing ice-baths, and draining late-night practices did not seem so bad after all. Next goal: five turns.

For as long as I can remember, ballet, in all its finesse and glamor, had kept me driven day to day. As a child, the lithe ballerinas, donning ethereal costumes as they floated across the stage, were my motivation. While others admired Messi and Adele, I idolized Carlos Acosta, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet.

As I devoted more time and energy towards my craft, I became obsessed with improving my technique. I would stretch for hours after class, forcing my leg one inch higher in an effort to mirror the Dance Magazine cover girls. I injured my feet and ruined pair after pair of pointe shoes, turning on wood, cement, and even grass to improve my balance as I spun. At competitions, the dancers with the 180-degree leg extensions, endless turns, and soaring leaps—the ones who received “Bravos!” from the roaring audience—further pushed me to refine my skills and perfect my form. I believed that, with enough determination, I would one day attain their level of perfection. Reaching the quadruple-pirouette milestone only intensified my desire to accomplish even more.

My efforts seemed to have come to fruition two summers ago when I was accepted to dance with Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet at their renowned New York City summer intensive. I walked into my first session eager to learn from distinguished ballet masters and worldly dancers, already anticipating my improvement. Yet, as I danced alongside the accomplished ballerinas, I felt out of place. Despite their clean technique and professional training, they did not aim for glorious leg extensions or prodigious leaps. When they performed their turn combinations, most of them only executed two turns as I attempted four.

“Dancers, double-pirouettes only.”

Taken aback and confused, I wondered why our teacher expected so little from us. The other ballerinas seemed content, gracing the studio with their simple movements.

As I grew closer with my Moscow roommates, I gradually learned that their training emphasized the history of the art form instead of stylistic tricks. Rather than show off their physical ability, their performances aimed to convey a story, one that embodied the rich culture of ballet and captured both the legacy of the dancers before them and their own artistry. As I observed my friends more intently in repertoire class, I felt the pain of the grief-stricken white swan from Swan Lake, the sass of the flirtatious Kitri from Don Quijote, and I gradually saw what I had overlooked before. My definition of talent had been molded by crowd-pleasing elements—whirring pirouettes, gravity-defying leaps, and mind-blowing leg extensions. This mindset slowly stripped me from the roots of my passion and my personal connection with ballet.

With the Bolshoi, I learned to step back and explore the meaning behind each step and the people behind the scenes. Ballet carries history in its movements, from the societal values of the era to each choreographer’s unique flair. As I uncovered the messages behind each pirouette, kick, and jump, my appreciation for ballet grew beyond my obsession with raw athleticism and developed into a love for the art form’s emotive abilities in bridging the dancers with the audience. My journey as an artist has allowed me to see how technical execution is only the means to a greater understanding between dancer and spectator, between storyteller and listener. The elegance and complexity of ballet does not revolve around astonishing stunts but rather the evocative strength and artistry manifested in the dancer, in me. It is the combination of sentiments, history, tradition, and passion that has allowed ballet and its lessons of human connection to become my lifestyle both on and off stage.

This essay is about lessons. While the author is a dancer, this narrative isn’t really about ballet, per se — it’s about the author’s personal growth. It is purposefully reflective as the student shows a nice character arc that begins with an eager young ballerina and ends with a reflection on their past. The primary strength of this essay is the honesty and authenticity that the student approaches it with.

In the end, the student turns a cliche on its head as they embrace the idea of overcoming adversity and demonstrate how the adversity, in this case, was their own stereotypes about their art. It’s beautiful!

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite.

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin.

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

This essay uses the idea of sports to explore a more profound topic—growing through relationships. They really embrace using sports as an avenue to tell the reader about a specific experience that changed the way they approach the world.

The emphasis on relationships is why this essay works well and doesn’t fall into a cliche. The narrator grows not because of their experience with track but because of their relationship with their coach, who inspired them to evolve and become a leader.

Have a draft of your college essay? We’re here to help you polish it. Students can participate in a free Peer Review, or they can sign up for a paid review by CollegeVine’s experts. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to start improving your essay and your chances of acceptance!

500+ Sports Research Topics

Sports research topics cover a vast array of areas in the world of athletics, from the physical and psychological impacts of sport on athletes to the social and cultural implications of sports on society. Sports research can include studies on training techniques, nutrition, injury prevention, performance enhancement, and much more. It can also explore the societal impact of sports, such as the role of sports in shaping national identities, gender roles, and cultural values. As a result, the field of sports research provides a unique lens through which to understand the complex relationship between sports and society, and offers insights that can benefit athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts alike. In this post, we will explore some of the most fascinating and important sports research topics that are currently being investigated.

Sports Research Topics

Sports Research Topics are as follows:

The psychological benefits of participating in team sports
The impact of sports on academic achievement
The role of sports in promoting physical health and fitness
The impact of sports on mental health and well-being
The benefits and drawbacks of early specialization in youth sports
The relationship between sports and character development
The role of sports in building social capital and community cohesion
The impact of technology on sports training and performance
The influence of gender on sports participation and achievement
The impact of culture on sports participation and achievement
The economics of professional sports: salaries, revenue, and team valuations
The role of sports in promoting diversity and inclusion
The impact of sports on political and social change
The impact of sports sponsorship on consumer behavior
The impact of doping in sports on athlete health and performance
The role of nutrition in sports performance
The impact of weather conditions on sports performance
The influence of crowd behavior on sports performance and player behavior
The impact of sports injuries on athlete health and career longevity
The impact of sports on tourism and local economies
The role of sports in promoting peace and conflict resolution
The impact of globalization on sports and their respective cultures
The impact of sports on national identity and patriotism
The impact of sports media on fan behavior and athlete performance
The impact of sports on the environment
The influence of sports fans on team strategy and decision-making
The impact of sports gambling on sports integrity and athlete health
The impact of sports specialization on long-term athlete development
The influence of sports referees and officials on game outcomes
The role of technology in sports officiating and decision-making
The impact of sports on youth development and socialization
The role of sports in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment
The impact of sports on personal identity and self-esteem
The role of sports in promoting physical literacy and lifelong physical activity
The impact of fan behavior on athlete mental health and well-being
The influence of sports broadcasters on fan behavior and attitudes
The role of sports in promoting healthy competition and fair play
The impact of sports participation on academic performance in children
The influence of social media on athlete behavior and fan engagement
The impact of sports on international diplomacy and political relations
The influence of coach behavior on athlete mental health and performance
The role of sports in promoting cultural understanding and awareness
The impact of sports science on athlete training and performance
The impact of youth sports on parent-child relationships
The influence of sports team culture on athlete behavior and performance
The role of sports in promoting environmental sustainability
The impact of sports on social mobility and economic inequality
The influence of sports on global health issues
The impact of sports on regional and national identity
The role of sports in promoting positive youth development and resilience.
The impact of technology on sports performance
The effects of altitude on ball flight in sports like golf and tennis
The effects of sports on stress management
The impact of COVID-19 on the sports industry
The impact of technology on sports officiating and rule enforcement
The role of sports in promoting cultural heritage and preservation
The impact of sports on mental toughness and resilience among athletes
The effects of different types of recovery interventions on sports injury rehabilitation
The role of sports in promoting intergenerational connections and social capital
The effects of different types of sports psychology interventions on team dynamics and performance in professional sports
The role of sports in promoting peacebuilding and conflict resolution in divided societies
The impact of sports on career development and job satisfaction among sports journalists
The effects of different types of recovery interventions on injury prevention and performance in powerlifting
The role of sports in promoting social innovation and entrepreneurship among youth
The impact of sports on social identity and community building among refugees and immigrants
The effects of different types of sports nutrition interventions on brain health and cognitive function in older adults
The role of sports in promoting sustainable urban development and active transportation
The impact of sports on social capital and political engagement among LGBTQ+ athletes
The effects of different types of training interventions on injury prevention and recovery in equestrian sports.
The impact of sports on body image and self-esteem among female athletes
The effects of different types of sports equipment on performance and injury risk in extreme sports
The role of sports in promoting cultural diplomacy and international relations
The impact of sports on emotional regulation and mental health among adolescent athletes
The effects of different types of nutrition interventions on injury prevention and recovery in team sports
The role of sports in promoting civic engagement and political participation among athletes
The impact of sports on cognitive development and academic achievement in early childhood
The effects of different types of sports psychology interventions on sports performance and mental health
The role of sports in promoting environmental education and sustainability in schools
The impact of sports on career development and employability among retired athletes
The effects of different types of mindfulness interventions on sports performance and well-being
The role of sports in promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding
The impact of sports on emotional intelligence and leadership development among coaches
The effects of different types of sports supplements on performance and health outcomes
The role of sports in promoting disaster risk reduction and resilience in coastal communities
The impact of sports on social identity and group dynamics in fan communities
The effects of different types of sports training on injury prevention and recovery in power sports
The role of sports in promoting digital literacy and technological innovation in youth
The impact of sports on social-emotional learning and character development in schools
The effects of different types of nutrition interventions on sports performance and cognitive function in older adults
The role of sports in promoting gender equity and empowerment in sports organizations
The impact of sports on cultural identity and community building among Indigenous peoples
The effects of different types of training interventions on injury prevention and recovery in para-athletes
The role of sports in promoting global health and disease prevention
The impact of sports on social support and mental health among parents of youth athletes
The effects of different types of recovery interventions on sports performance and injury prevention in master athletes
The role of sports in promoting community-based health education and behavior change
The impact of sports on identity development and socialization among adolescent girls
The effects of different types of sports nutrition interventions on gut microbiota and health outcomes
The role of sports in promoting intercultural communication and language learning
The impact of sports on psychological well-being and job satisfaction among sports officials
The effects of different types of mindfulness interventions on injury prevention and recovery in endurance sports
The role of sports in promoting sustainable tourism and economic development in rural areas
The impact of sports on social integration and inclusion among individuals with disabilities
The effects of different types of sports equipment on biomechanics and performance in precision sports
The role of sports in promoting community resilience and disaster risk reduction in urban areas
The impact of sports on social-emotional development and academic achievement among at-risk youth
The effects of different types of sports nutrition interventions on immune function and health outcomes
The role of sports in promoting social justice and human rights in sport governance
The impact of sports on community development and social capital in post-conflict areas
The effects of different types of resistance training on injury prevention and recovery in endurance athletes
The role of sports in promoting intergenerational relationships and aging well-being
The impact of sports on social support and mental health among retired athletes
The role of sports in promoting civic activism and social change
The impact of sports on sleep quality and quantity in professional athletes
The effects of different types of stretching on recovery and injury prevention
The role of sports in promoting environmental justice and sustainability
The impact of sports on emotional intelligence and social skills among youth athletes
The effects of different types of resistance training on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting peace and conflict resolution in divided societies
The impact of sports on academic achievement and career success among athletes
The effects of different types of endurance training on injury prevention and recovery
The role of sports in promoting cultural diversity and inclusion
The impact of sports on team cohesion and communication
The effects of different types of dietary interventions on sports performance and recovery
The role of sports in promoting mental health and well-being in marginalized communities
The impact of sports on cognitive function and academic achievement in children
The effects of different types of cooling interventions on sports performance and recovery
The role of sports in promoting community resilience and disaster preparedness
The impact of sports on social capital and social mobility in low-income communities
The effects of different types of sports nutrition interventions on bone health and injury prevention
The role of sports in promoting global citizenship and intercultural competence
The impact of sports on personal and professional development among athletes
The effects of different types of training programs on sports performance and injury prevention in older adults
The role of sports in promoting human rights and social justice
The impact of sports on decision-making and risk-taking behavior in adolescents
The effects of different types of aerobic exercise on cognitive function and brain health
The role of sports in promoting sustainable development and social innovation
The impact of sports on social integration and belonging among refugees and immigrants
The effects of different types of sports equipment on injury risk and performance
The role of sports in promoting gender equality and empowerment in developing countries
The impact of sports on academic engagement and achievement among middle school students
The effects of different types of hydration interventions on sports performance and recovery
The role of sports in promoting community-based tourism and economic development
The impact of sports on identity formation and self-concept among athletes
The effects of different types of sports training on bone health and injury prevention in female athletes
The role of sports in promoting environmental conservation and climate action
The impact of sports on personal values and character development among athletes
The effects of different types of sports nutrition interventions on cardiovascular health and performance
The role of sports in promoting community-based disaster response and recovery
The impact of sports on social support and well-being among LGBTQ+ athletes
The effects of different types of recovery interventions on injury rehabilitation and return to play in professional athletes
The role of sports in promoting social entrepreneurship and innovation
The impact of sports on moral reasoning and ethical decision-making among athletes
The effects of different types of training programs on cognitive function and academic achievement in children
The role of sports in promoting social inclusion and equality in urban settings
The impact of sports on social identity and collective action among fans
The effects of different types of recovery interventions on sports performance and injury prevention in adolescent athletes
The effects of different types of recovery modalities on injury prevention in sports
The role of sports in promoting cultural diplomacy
The impact of sports participation on academic achievement among college students
The effects of different types of hydration strategies on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting social cohesion and community building
The impact of sports on physical and cognitive aging
The effects of different types of warm-down on sports performance and injury prevention
The role of sports in promoting positive youth development
The impact of sports on crime and delinquency among youth
The effects of different types of endurance training on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting gender equity and empowerment
The impact of sports on mental health among athletes
The effects of different types of carbohydrate intake on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting international relations and diplomacy
The impact of sports on body image and self-esteem among adolescents
The effects of different types of sports drinks on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting environmental sustainability and conservation
The impact of sports on cognitive function and brain health
The effects of different types of sports psychology interventions on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting social justice and human rights
The impact of sports on physical activity levels and sedentary behavior
The effects of different types of pre-game nutrition on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting economic development and tourism
The impact of sports on cultural and national identity
The effects of different types of footwear on injury risk in sports
The role of sports in promoting civic engagement and democracy
The impact of sports on sleep quality and quantity
The effects of different types of anaerobic training on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting intergenerational relationships and socialization
The impact of sports on body composition and weight management
The effects of different types of sports psychology interventions on injury prevention and recovery
The role of sports in promoting peacebuilding and conflict resolution
The impact of sports on self-efficacy and self-esteem among athletes
The effects of different types of protein intake on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting health equity and reducing health disparities
The impact of sports on social capital and community resilience
The effects of different types of high-intensity interval training on sports performance
The impact of sports on stress and stress-related disorders
The effects of different types of dietary supplements on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting human development and well-being
The impact of sports on emotional regulation and mental health
The effects of different types of strength training on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting social innovation and entrepreneurship
The impact of sports on social identity and belonging
The effects of different types of cognitive training on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting disaster resilience and preparedness
The impact of sports on academic engagement and achievement among high school students
The effects of different types of stretching on injury prevention and sports performance.
The effects of different types of training on athletic performance
The effectiveness of different coaching styles in sports
The role of nutrition in athletic performance
The psychology of injury rehabilitation in sports
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports
The role of sports in promoting physical and mental health
The impact of social media on sports marketing
The effectiveness of sports marketing campaigns
The effects of gender and ethnicity on sports participation and performance
The impact of sports sponsorship on athlete performance
The role of sports in promoting teamwork and leadership
The effects of environmental conditions on sports performance
The impact of sports on community development
The psychology of winning and losing in sports
The effects of sleep on sports performance
The use of virtual reality in sports training
The impact of sports injuries on athletes’ careers
The effects of altitude on athletic performance
The use of data analysis in sports performance assessment
The role of sports in reducing stress and anxiety
The impact of sports on academic performance
The effects of different sports on cardiovascular health
The use of cryotherapy in sports recovery
The impact of social media on sports fans and fandom
The effects of different types of footwear on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting physical activity among children and adolescents
The effects of different types of stretching on sports performance
The impact of sports on social and cultural values
The effects of hydration on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting global understanding and diplomacy
The effects of different types of surfaces on sports performance
The impact of sports on economic development
The impact of sports on mental toughness and resilience
The effects of different types of recovery methods on sports performance
The use of mindfulness in sports performance and injury recovery
The impact of sports on environmental sustainability
The effects of different types of warm-up on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting tourism and travel
The impact of sports on crime reduction and community safety
The effects of different types of sports equipment on performance
The impact of sports on job creation and employment opportunities
The effects of different types of physical activity on mental health
The role of sports in promoting social mobility and equality
The impact of sports on identity formation and socialization
The effects of different types of pre-game rituals on sports performance.
The role of sports in promoting healthy aging
The impact of sports on conflict resolution among youth
The effects of sports on job satisfaction and productivity
The role of sports in promoting environmental conservation
The impact of sports on language proficiency and communication skills
The effects of sports on the development of social skills
The role of sports in promoting peaceful coexistence and tolerance
The impact of sports on community building and cohesion
The effects of different types of sports on hand-eye coordination
The impact of sports on personal growth and self-discovery
The effects of sports on cultural competency
The role of sports in promoting social and emotional learning
The impact of sports on community health
The effects of different types of sports on reaction time
The role of sports in promoting social justice and equity
The impact of sports on academic motivation and achievement
The effects of sports on the development of grit and resilience
The role of sports in promoting civic engagement and social responsibility.
The impact of sports on tourism
The role of sports in promoting physical activity
The effects of playing sports on cognitive development
The impact of sports on political identity
The effects of sports on self-esteem and body image
The role of sports in promoting teamwork and collaboration
The effects of different coaching styles on athlete performance
The impact of sports on national security
The role of sports in promoting cultural exchange and diplomacy
The effects of sports on language acquisition
The impact of sports on family dynamics
The role of sports in promoting conflict resolution
The impact of sports on social mobility
The effects of different types of training on injury prevention
The role of sports in promoting global health
The effects of sports on decision-making and risk-taking behavior
The role of sports in promoting physical and mental well-being
The impact of sports on social justice
The effects of sports on academic achievement among at-risk youth
The role of sports in promoting cultural heritage
The impact of sports on personal identity
The effects of sports on emotional intelligence and empathy
The role of sports in promoting gender equality
The impact of sports on identity formation
The effects of different types of sports on balance and coordination
The role of sports in promoting social capital
The impact of sports on social integration and inclusion
The effects of training at high altitudes on athletic performance
The psychological factors that contribute to athlete burnout
The relationship between sleep and athletic performance
The effects of music on sports performance
The effects of caffeine on sports performance
The impact of climate on sports performance
The use of supplements in sports performance
The role of genetics in sports performance
The effects of aging on sports performance
The impact of sports injuries on athlete’s careers
The relationship between sports and mental health
The effects of gender on sports performance
The impact of social media on sports
The effects of sports fandom on mental health
The use of technology in sports coaching
The impact of team culture on sports performance
The effects of sports specialization on athlete development
The role of sports psychology in athlete performance
The effects of plyometric training on athletic performance
The impact of climate change on outdoor sports
The effects of team dynamics on sports performance
The impact of sports participation on academic achievement
The effects of sports sponsorship on athlete performance
The role of biomechanics in sports performance
The effects of stretching on sports performance
The impact of sports equipment on performance
The effects of altitude training on endurance sports performance
The effects of different types of training on sports performance
The role of nutrition in injury prevention
The effects of mental preparation on sports performance
The effects of climate on indoor sports performance
The role of sports in cultural identity
The impact of sports participation on youth development
The effects of strength training on sports performance
The role of coaches in athlete development
The impact of sports on national identity
The effects of different playing surfaces on sports performance
The role of recovery in sports performance
The impact of sports on local economies
The impact of sports on gender and racial equality
The effects of team size on sports performance
The role of sports in promoting social inclusion
The effects of sports on personal development
The impact of sports on conflict resolution
The effects of sports on leadership development

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Sports Argumentative Essay Topics (Simple Titles)

Sports allow us to stay physically healthy, learn new abilities, and improve our emotional well-being. It has enhanced social contact and is a kind of enjoyment for the majority of people. Sports Argumentative Essay Topics focus on persuading and supporting particular viewpoints on sports via academic writing. It could encompass all dimensions of sports, including social, economic, and political implications of various sports.

It’s just as vital to choose a good topic as it is to generate captivating material. You must impress your instructor with the greatest argumentative essay ideas if you want to do well in school.

Here are some excellent topic suggestions for you in a variety of disciplines. Select an appropriate topic for your essay and begin the writing process.

Sports Argumentative Essay Topics

Are video game players considered real athletes?
Can teenagers be kept out of trouble by engaging in sports?
Should girls and boys be able to engage in the same sports?
Should professional athletes be allowed to use non-steroidal alternatives to steroids?
Is cheerleading a sport for individuals?
Baseball isn’t nearly as exciting as it once was.
Do colleges spend a significant amount of money on sports programs?
Student-athletes should be compensated for their participation.
Sports betting should be prohibited.
Alcohol and cigarette advertisements should not be broadcast during sporting events.
Is the media portraying female athletes as sexual objects?
All athletes should be drug tested before they can compete.
Women should not be allowed to participate in extreme sports.
The effects of bodybuilding on a woman’s body as she gets older.
Is chess a game or a sport? Explain it in depth.

Sports, as one of the most engaging leisure sectors, contribute significantly to a student’s well-being, both physically and in terms of essay writing. Popular sports have been included into the school curriculum as part of the co-curricular program. Students may keep intellectually attentive and physically healthy by participating in sports. They’ve also assisted students in obtaining scholarships for their education.

With the industry’s rapid expansion, a slew of contentious problems have arisen. Among them are how athletic activities are conducted and what constitutes a sport.

These scandals have sparked a slew of heated debates. Sport is an element of the extracurricular activities at the school. As a result, writing about sports argumentative essay themes is quite acceptable. Students struggle to choose what to write about due to the wide variety of sports available throughout the world. For the sports fan, the decision is simple.

There are several sports argumentative essay topics to choose from. However, narrowing down the options might be tough. A student’s finest topic ideas are determined by their interests. Here are some suggested sample topics for you to consider.

Using performance enhancing drugs should lead to exclusion from professional sports.
Cheerleading as a competitive sport
Negative perceptions that college players are illiterate
The amount of money spent on college games is too much.
Is marching band a sport?
Creating a school-wide sports culture
Health issues associated with student-athletes’ use of energy drinks
Student-athletes should be compensated for their participation in sports.
Why cheerleading should be included in the Olympics
Permitting fights during hokey games.
Football’s dangers to players
Baseball’s popularity has waned over time.
Where should we draw the line when it comes to selling the name rights to sports teams?
Coaches’ treatment of players is not controlled by rules that are rigorous enough.
Athletes who utilize steroids should surrender their medals.
Legalizing sports betting everywhere is bad.
Home-schooled students should be permitted to participate in public school athletics.
Athletes’ sponsors and chosen owners receive the majority of their earnings.
Should video games be considered sports?
Should violent sports including wrestling and boxing be prohibited?
Is it appropriate for women to participate in powerlifting?
Why Colleges should invest more on wellness programs than in athletics.
College football players should be paid.
Why Parents should not let their kids to participate in football activities.
Being gay in sports gets greater media and spectator attention.
It is offensive for sports teams to use Native American mascots and names.
Advertisements for tobacco and alcohol should not be shown during sporting events.

Engaging in athletics may help you maintain your physical condition as well as your mental health. Even if it’s only for fun, everyone should engage in athletic activities. It adds to the body’s overall wellness in more ways than one. Many countries rely heavily on sports to boost their economies. People have gotten into a lot of fights because of sports. These are solid arguments to use as the basis for your writings.

It is suggested that you choose an essay topic that you are enthusiastic about. Here are 25 sports argumentative essay themes on which you could wish to write an essay and do research to discover persuasive arguments.

Topics for Women in Sports

The media plays a vital role in ensuring that genders are represented equally in sports news. Do you agree with me?

Should sports teams, referees, and coaches be split into gender groups?
Do you think it’s fair and reasonable to split girls and males?
Is it true that male sports have more supporters than female sports?
Female athletes are more motivated by personal achievement than by personal progress.
Should female athletes be given more training than male athletes?
Do you feel that sports regulations should be changed to eliminate gender bias?
Should sports be divided into categories based on gender?
Should transgender people be permitted to play sports?

Argumentative Topics in Winter Sports

Winter sports refer to those games that take place on snow or ice. Skiing, ice skating, and sledding are the most popular of these activities. Traditionally, such activities have only existed in frigid climates with temperatures below freezing throughout the winter. Artificial snow and ice, on the other hand, allow events to be staged in practically any weather situation.

If you enjoy winter sports and wanted to write about them, consider the following essay topics:

Why is The Winter Dew Tour bringing more snowboarding visitors to the United States?
Why has the future of winter sports been jeopardized? Is climate change to blame for this?
Is cross-country skiing the safest sport to participate in?
Are the figure skating judges overbearing to the competitors?
Why do hockey fans embrace the game’s brutality and combat?
Is it feasible to do springboard jumps when there is a lot of snow?
Why do many people believe North Korea has copied the Pyongyang Winter Olympics show?
Why are winter clothing businesses thriving and expanding despite the crisis?
What are the dangers of artificial snow in winter sports?
Why we should not take Bobsleigh seriously.

Here are more Great Topic Ideas for Your Argumentative Essay.

Basketball is currently losing popularity.
Parents should not allow their children to play football because of traumatic events.
Students who win sporting events should be compensated by universities.
Cheerleading cannot be categorized as a sport.
Coaches should check to see whether their players are using anabolic steroids.
All people have the legal right to wager on sports online.
Advertisements that encourage unhealthy habits like drinking and smoking are incompatible with sporting activities.
Why Dog and other animal sports competitions should be banned in all places.
Why Parents should not allow their children to participate in violent activities such as boxing.
Powerlifting should only be a males-only sports.
It is incorrect to classify video gaming as a sport.
Sports may have both good and bad impacts on a person’s health.
In any sport, teamwork is essential for success.
All American institutions should require their students to play soccer.
What are the steps to becoming a university’s top sports team?
Soccer’s worldwide appeal can be attributed to a variety of factors.
Is it appropriate for a coach to lose his cool in the middle of a game?
Do you think of chess as a full-fledged sport similar to football or basketball?
Is there any gender prejudice in sports?
How important is the media in sporting events?
Is there a method to avoid football injuries?
Does stress affect all athletes, and if so, how can it be avoided?
It is difficult to have a successful athletic career and a personal life at the same time.
Professional sports are more than a pastime; they are a way of life.
Professional athletes have a variety of chronic health issues.

There may be only a few of the argumentative essay topics to consider depending on your subject area. Sports is among the most controversial essay subjects, and it is ideally suited to the argumentative essay type. Choose a topic that interests you and write a well-structured essay that demonstrates why your point of view is correct. You can let the reader know of all possible viewpoints, offer “for” and “against” reasons for each, and end the essay such that no one is left in doubt about your stance.

I hope the list of ideas above will assist you in coming up with sports debate themes. Choose one of the five topics from the list that you are most familiar with. Remember that the issue should be well-researched so that you can back up your claim with proof. You may always resort to pros who have written hundreds of argumentative essays if you don’t have enough time or writing abilities. As a result, forget about tension and simply let your thoughts flow!

Argumentative Sports Essay Outline

1. introduction for sports essay.

As expected, the introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. As a result, it must grab the audience’s interest and attention.

In addition, the beginning should excite the reader to read the body of the essay.

An introduction has two essential components.

1. General claim

2. Thesis statement

General claim

The broad statement’s primary goal is to provide background information about the issue to the reader. This material should pique the reader’s curiosity in the subject.

A general statement MUST begin with a general overview of the topic and progress to a specific statement of the primary concept.

The thesis statement is the fundamentally the central idea of an essay. Its purpose is to introduce the essay’s core concept.

Oftentimes, the thesis is written in the last the introduction.

Sample Topic: Basketball and Football are similar in many ways

General statement would look like something below:

For several millennia, sports have been played all throughout the world. There are several sports to choose from. Some of them are performed solo, while others are played in groups. Furthermore, some sports, such as basketball and football, are quite popular and give several benefits to anybody who participates in them.

Here is what to watch!

The explanation progresses from broad to specific issues about the topic.

Sentences need to be logically connected. This section prepares the reader for the main topic.

Thesis statement

The statement below could be your thesis statement:

Basketball and football share a lot of similarities, but they also have a lot of differences in other multiple ways.

The statement is specific because it shows a position about the topic. This will then guide the body paragraphs of the essay.

3. Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs can be as long as your essay prompt requires. If your essay is longer than 850 words, it will need more than 5 paragraphs.

4. Conclusion

The conclusion of an argumentative sports essay is the last paragraph. It will restate the thesis, list the supporting statements, and add a general personal view. Concluding an argumentative essay should leave the reader with a clear position the writer has taken regarding the topic.

Essay on Importance of Sports for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of sports.

First of all, Sport refers to an activity involving physical activity and skill . Here, two or more parties compete against each other. Sports are an integral part of human life and there is great importance of sports in all spheres of life. Furthermore, Sports help build the character and personality of a person. It certainly is an excellent tool to keep the body physically fit. Most noteworthy, the benefits of Sports are so many that books can be written. Sports have a massive positive effect on both the mind and body.

Physical Benefits of Sports

First of all, Sports strengthen the heart. Regular Sports certainly make the heart stronger. Hence, Sport is an excellent preventive measure against heart diseases . This certainly increases the life expectancy of individuals. Furthermore, a healthy heart means a healthy blood pressure.

Sports involve physical activity of the body. Due to this physical activity, blood vessels remain clean. Sports reduces the amount of cholesterol and fats in the body. This happens because of the increase of flexibility of the wall of the blood vessels. The flexibility increases due to physical exertion, which is the result of Sports.

Furthermore, the sugar level in blood also gets lower thanks to Sports. The sugar certainly does not accumulate in the blood due to physical activity.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

A person experiences a good quality of breathing because of Sports. Sports strengthen the lungs of the body. Sports certainly escalate the lung capacity and efficiency of the body. Hence, more oxygen enters the blood which is extremely beneficial. Furthermore, there are fewer chances of developing lung diseases due to Sports.

Appropriate body weight is easy to maintain because of sports. A Sports playing person probably does not suffer from obesity or underweight problems. Sports certainly help the body remain fit and slim.

Furthermore, Sports also improves the quality of bones. A person who plays sports will have strong bones even in old age. Several scientific research reports that Sports prevent many diseases. For example, many researchers conclude that Sports prevent the development of cancer.

Other Benefits of Sports

Sport is certainly an excellent tool to build self-confidence . Playing Sports increases confidence to talk properly. A sport certainly improves the skills of communicating with others. Furthermore, the person experiences confidence in sitting, standing, and walking properly. Hence, Sports enriches the social life of an individual.

Sports bring discipline in life. It certainly teaches the values of dedication and patience. Sports also teach people how to handle failure. Furthermore, the importance of following a time schedule is also present in Sports.

Above all, Sports improves the thinking ability of individuals. Sports certainly sharpen the mind. Children who play Sports probably perform better at exams than those who don’t.

Finally, Sports reduces the stress of mind . A Sports playing person would certainly experience less depression. Sports ensure the peace of mind of those playing it. Most noteworthy, Sports brings happiness and joy in the life of individuals.

A sport is an aspect of human life that is of paramount importance. It certainly increases the quality of human life. Sports must be made mandatory in schools. This is because it is as important as education. Everyone must perform at least one Sport activity on a regular basis.

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Next phase of O’Connell’s quarterback journey begins right now

Whenever he's asked for his thesis on the most important position in football, Kevin O'Connell returns almost invariably to the topic of a quarterback's journey. He speaks about it with a fascination that only seems to have grown the longer he's staked his career on it.

O'Connell turns 39 on May 25, the weekend after he will have ostensibly coached a rookie quarterback through the Vikings ' first week of organized team activities. He is 17 months younger than Aaron Rodgers , the NFL's oldest current starting quarterback. Had O'Connell's career taken a different path after the Patriots made him a third-round pick in 2008, he could be one of the NFL's oldest players, rather than one of its youngest head coaches. There is no bitterness in his voice as he reflects on the pivot, only wonder at the mystical process that remains so difficult to nail and could soon shape the Vikings' future.

As he sat at a table overlooking the sprawling lawn at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando during the NFL owners' meetings on March 25, O'Connell said, "I always use a loose, light term with my own [career], calling it a 'quarterback journey,' but it was one nonetheless."

The conversation shifted to Sam Darnold , the third overall pick in 2018 who signed a one-year deal to make the Vikings his fourth franchise in seven years. O'Connell said Darnold, still just 26, could flourish given the right environment. The Vikings, with former quarterbacks layering the coaching staff and Pro Bowlers doing the blocking and receiving, could provide that environment.

"Quarterbacks can be at different phases, parts of their career that maybe don't always align with performing for three and a half hours on Sunday," he said. "If you go through the process and get around some good coaches, which I think Sam was in San Francisco , [you can grow]. … As a young quarterback, or really any sort of quarterback coming into our situation, I do feel strongly about the opportunity we can offer."

The true test of O'Connell's theory, of course, is not likely to be Darnold. It could arrive as soon as Thursday night, if the Vikings draft the quarterback for whom they've been planning practically since O'Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah arrived in Minnesota in 2022. They have scouted the 2024 draft class for two years , making only temporary commitments to Kirk Cousins in the meantime and stopping short of the move up for a quarterback they contemplated in the 2023 draft in part because they knew the promise this class held. They let Cousins leave in free agency, acquired the No. 23 pick from Houston to go with their 11th overall choice and put at least a half-dozen quarterbacks through a pre-draft process O'Connell designed .

Thursday could be the consummation of that process, especially if the Vikings trade up even one spot from No. 11 to take the highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history. But it could also be a commencement of sorts, with O'Connell at the top of an infrastructure that seems as precisely engineered for quarterback development as the Vikings could hope.

The Vikings have drafted a quarterback in the first round just four times in franchise history . The last time they paired a first-round QB with an offensive head coach was 1999, when Dennis Green took Daunte Culpepper 11th overall.

Christian Ponder, selected 12th in 2011, flailed under a coaching staff (led by Leslie Frazier) that never seemed to be in lockstep with the front office. Teddy Bridgewater , the 32nd overall pick in 2014, was turning into an effective game manager for a defensive-minded head coach (Mike Zimmer) before a 2016 knee injury rattled his career trajectory.

O'Connell was hired to replace Zimmer and embraced Cousins, winning a division title with him in 2022 and forming a close partnership with the quarterback. But it seemed only a matter of time until the Vikings would entrust the position's future to the head coach they'd hired to safeguard it.

O'Connell backed up Tom Brady , studied under Bill Belichick and speaks about his own short-lived career with enough wry humor that suggests he's used it as a reference for young QBs hoping to avoid similar pitfalls. This winter, he hired Josh McCown , a 17-year NFL veteran who played for nine teams and for O'Connell in the latter's first NFL QB coach job in Cleveland , to inject quantities of detail and institutional knowledge into a rookie's instruction that could only come from a player with his experience.

Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips comes from a three-generation NFL family and won a Super Bowl with the Rams and O'Connell under Sean McVay. So did former quarterbacks coach Chris O'Hara, who is still on staff as a senior offensive assistant and pass game specialist. Assistant QB coach Grant Udinski, viewed as a rising star on the Vikings' staff, figures to provide the kinds of extra hours-long teaching sessions that have made him a trusted resource for the team's quarterbacks.

A rookie would join a quarterback room with two veterans, including one (Darnold) who knows about beginning a career atop the NFL QB high wire. He would throw to Justin Jefferson , Jordan Addison and (eventually) T.J. Hockenson , hand off to Aaron Jones and be protected by Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill. The Vikings, it seems, have put in as many trail guides and signposts as possible to help a young quarterback along the journey O'Connell speaks so much about.

The question is, will it work?

Since the start of the Super Bowl era in 1966, there have been 102 quarterbacks selected in the first 10 picks of the draft. While more than half of those players (52) have reached a Pro Bowl, just 13 have earned first-team All-Pro honors in their careers, and only eight are in the Hall of Fame (though quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes figure to raise that total).

The numbers underscore what O'Connell has witnessed and lived: there are enough pitfalls along the way that the QB journey is rarely flawless.

"Every quarterback goes to different environments, different systems, different organizations, and that path is not the same for every player," O'Connell said last week. "The timeline of when they're reaching their early peak of their rookie contract, when it's so valuable to have a rookie because of all the financial terms, that's one thing. But you also want to make sure that you're developing and doing what's best for the player. We just happen to have a really good situation, in my opinion, with the players we have in that huddle, the guys that are going to be coaching that player. Then ultimately, what we hope [we have] is a long-term plan to have a really special player at the position.

"But all that can't happen without a daily process where you're attacking and understanding what you need to get better at, how the NFL game may be different than the college level and what that system was like versus what we'll do. I think there's a lot of ways you can look at different strengths of different players in the draft and say, 'You can make a pretty good projection that high-quality quarterback play could be in their future.' But there's a lot of work and time and effort to help them get there."

The Vikings have completed some of that work: scouting prospects, building a QB-friendly coaching staff and outfitting the roster with offensive weapons. The most important work, though, could be days — maybe even hours — from starting.

The next quarterback journey O'Connell oversees could, one way or the other, change the course of the franchise.

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Earth Day: How a senator’s idea more than 50 years ago got people fighting for their planet

FILE - Climate activists hold a rally to protest the use of fossil fuels on Earth Day at Freedom Plaza, April 22, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - Activists display prints replicating solar panels during a rally to mark Earth Day at Lafayette Square, Washington, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File)

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Millions of people around the world will pause on Monday, at least for a moment, to mark Earth Day. It’s an annual event founded by people who hoped to stir activism to clean up and preserve a planet that is now home to some 8 billion humans and assorted trillions of other organisms.

Here are answers to some common questions about Earth Day and how it came to be:

WHY DO WE CELEBRATE EARTH DAY?

Earth Day has its roots in growing concern over pollution in the 1960s, when author Rachel Carson’s 1962 book “Silent Spring,” about the pesticide DDT and its damaging effects on the food chain, hit bestseller lists and raised awareness about nature’s delicate balance.

But it was a senator from Wisconsin, Democrat Gaylord Nelson, who had the idea that would become Earth Day. Nelson had long been concerned about the environment when a massive offshore oil spill sent millions of gallons onto the southern California coast in 1969. Nelson, after touring the spill site, had the idea of doing a national “teach-in” on the environment, similar to teach-ins being held on some college campuses at the time to oppose the war in Vietnam.

Nelson and others, including activist Denis Hayes, worked to expand the idea beyond college campuses, with events all around the country, and came up with the Earth Day name.

FILE - Wind turbines operate at an energy plant near Stetten, north of Kaiserslautern, Germany, as the sun rises on, March 19, 2024. According to a new report published Tuesday, April 16, 2024, last year, marked the best year for new wind projects. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

WHY WAS APRIL 22 CHOSEN FOR EARTH DAY?

A history of the movement by EarthDay.org, where Hayes remains board chair emeritus, says the date of the first Earth Day — April 22, 1970 — was chosen because it fell on a weekday between spring break and final exams and the aim was to attract as many students as possible.

IS EARTH DAY A REAL HOLIDAY?

It’s not a federal holiday. But many groups use the day to put together volunteer events with the environment in mind, such as cleanups of natural areas. You can see a list of events worldwide , or register your own event, at EarthDay.org.

FILE - Activists display prints replicating solar panels during a rally to mark Earth Day at Lafayette Square, Washington, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File)

HAS IT HAD AN IMPACT?

It has. The overwhelming public response to the first Earth Day is credited with adding pressure for the U.S. Congress to do more to address pollution, and it did, passing landmark legislation including the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. More broadly, it’s seen as the birth of the modern environmental movement. In later years, Earth Day expanded to become a truly global event. It now claims to have motivated action in more than 192 countries.

In 2000, Earth Day began taking aim at climate change, a problem that has grown rapidly more urgent in recent years.

WHAT’S THE THEME THIS YEAR?

This year’s Earth Day is focusing on the threat that plastics pose to our environment, with a call to end all single-use plastic and find replacements for their use so they can quickly be phased down.

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .

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WHY WAS APRIL 22 CHOSEN FOR EARTH DAY? A history of the movement by EarthDay.org, where Hayes remains board chair emeritus, says the date of the first Earth Day — April 22, 1970 — was chosen because it fell on a weekday between spring break and final exams and the aim was to attract as many students as possible.

Sport and Exercise Psychology Graduate Theses and Dissertations

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SPORTS COMPLEX THESIS

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Author Corner

The impact of sports participation on mental health and social outcomes in adults: a systematic review and the ‘Mental Health through Sport’ conceptual model

Conclusions

Introduction

Identification of studies

Criteria for inclusion/exclusion

Data extraction

Risk of bias (ROB) assessment

Effects of sports participation on psychological well-being, ill-being, and social outcomes

Longitudinal evidence

Experimental evidence

Qualitative evidence

Quality of studies

Sports participation and psychological well-being

Sports participation and psychological ill-being

Sports participation and social outcomes

Mental health through sport conceptual model for adults

Limitations and recommendations

Availability of data and materials

Acknowledgements

Author information

Contributions

Corresponding author

Ethics declarations

Consent for publication

Additional information

Supplementary Information

Additional file 2: Supplementary Table B.

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