Benefits of extracurricular sports activities

Source: Medical News

Extracurricular sports have long been promoted as a way of keeping children healthy, but new research suggests they could also provide benefits in the classroom, helping children remain engaged and disciplined.

The study, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, found that children who regularly participated in structured sports were better at following instructions and remaining focused in the classroom than their peers by the time they reached fourth grade.

According to a report released this past December by the US Census Bureau, there are a large number of children that do not currently participate in extracurricular activities. Although children were found to be more likely to participate in sports than other activities, only 57 percent of children aged 6-17 participate in at least one after-school extracurricular activity.

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.