It is known that participating in sports can provide many benefits to the participant whether it is learning how to work with others or how to persevere against struggles. However, there is research that also states that participating in athletics may have negative consequences as well. One of these studies is “Alcohol Use, Sexual Activity, and Perceived Risk in High School Athletes and Non – Athletes” by Reagan Wetherill and Kim Fromme. Their article was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health in 2007. The study examined whether there is a relationship between risky behavior, such as alcohol use, and athletic participation among high school students. Perceived risk was also studied to see if it is a mediator between the variables of dangerous behavior and sports participation. This non-experimental study used 2,138 completed surveys from recently graduated high school students who would be attending college (Wetherill & Fromme, 2007). After analyzing the data with techniques such as generalized linear modeling, the results showed that student athletes do report having greater alcohol consumption, greater number of sexual partners, and lower perceived risk as compared to non-athletes. The study was able to conclude that perceived risk is a mediator or exogenous variable between sports participation and alcohol use for both senior high school males and females.
There are limitations to the study that must be addressed. The information gathered for this study was self – reported. Therefore, students were able to subjectively identify themselves as athletes. Also, the survey only pertained to the last three months of high school. During this period, students may have been in the off season of their sport or in seaso...
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...k factor. The longitudinal study could also be continued into the student’s college career to determine whether or not sports participation in high school has an effect on the student’s behavior and risk perception in college. Future studies could further examine the relationship between perceived risk and specific sport participation, such as football, basketball, or baseball. Focus could also be drawn towards determining what specific factors play a role in influencing a student’s perceived risk such as special treatment by community or success in one’s sport. With news stories of not only student athletes being involved in behavioral risks but also professional athletes, future studies may shift towards professional sports as well. Future research is needed to not only design better prevention programs for students, but also for professional athletes as well.
High school sports are approached with clashing opinions. Some of these opinions are positive, and supportive of athletics. “Athleticism, among many activities, offers teens a physical outlet to exert their troubles, anger, emotions, and other feelings” (Chen 1). This can be observed in nearly all of the football players in Friday Night Lights. This can also be noticed in the world today. “Athletics help high school students understand their own abilities and talents” (Chen 1). This piece of evidence is very accurate when describing high school athletes. Sports can make a high school student humble. As can be seen by the preceding information, high school athletics can have a positive impact on a student’s life.
Taylor, Hopkins. Substance abuse issues to Offending Athletes. Miami: Beachwood Press, pages 35-37. 2009. Print.
Dr. Pietro Tonino stated that “College athletes are putting themselves at risk for health problems that could persist long after they graduate.” (sciencedaily.com). The college athletes today risk their health when they step onto the court or field for their college, and get little in return. According to sciencedaly.com, there was a study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine. Researches at Indiana University organized an analysis of two groups of people. One crowd was made up of middle-aged college graduates who played division one sports. The supplemented group comprised of middle-aged college graduates who did not participate in sports. The study showed they were in much poorer physical condition, and agonized from a number of things including depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The non-athletes portrayed much less signs of wear and tear.
Marcovitz, Hal. How Serious a Problem Is Drug Use in Sports? San Diego: Reference Point Press, 2013. Print.
To satisfy the competitive urge of their students, physical educators held “Play Days” and “Sport Days” for their female students. In a play day, teams from institutions did not play each other, but were comb...
High school sports are one of American student’s favorite extracurricular activities. High school sports provide a sense of school pride and dedication to the athlete’s school. Many students play in hopes of a college scholarship in their desired sport. Despite the dreams that come with sports the sad truth is that many sport careers end short by some sort of injury. Injuries in high school sports vary from a range of things. High school athletes suffer from damage to the brain, spine, bones, ligaments, and tendons. Sports also take a mental toll of the athlete putting them at risk of cardiac arrest. Student Athletes are also pressured to take harmful performance enhancing products and take up harmful dietary patterns to try and gain an edge. Sports have many beneficial qualities but can be harmful to the body if performed in an unhealthy fashion. The truth is that anytime an athlete engages in physical activity they are at risk.
College students who are in athletics are one of the most recognized student organizations on campus that engage in health-risk behaviors (Ward & Gryczynski, 2007). According to Ford (2007), college athletes are at greater risk of engaging in risky activities, such as getting drunk to forget about problems. Many athletes stress over maintaining a balance between academics and a high level of athletic performance. In order to relieve stress athletes consume more alcohol. Furthermore, most athletes assume that alcohol consumption does not effect their ...
Jock culture emphasizes on “masculinity and power” (308), which unfortunately increases the likelihood of committing wrongdoings. Male athletes are more prone to take risks simply because it is in their nature. For example, a former freshman teammate of mine was caught cheating on a quiz and had to sit out two games as a result of of his offense. He believed that he needed to cheat in order for him to avoid receiving a lower GPA (Grade Point Average), which would kick him off the team. Another example is another teammate of mine who had naked pictures on his phone. His image of being popular clouded his judgement, which inevitably lead him to a three day suspension from school as well as missing out on five games that were utmost critical. There are so many examples that I could mention with athletes abusing drugs and committing felonies that the list seems endless. These athletes are extremely gifted in their sport, but are vulnerable to do something wrong. “Being treated as a celebrity [and] being freed from normal boundaries” (307) is what impels these proficient individuals to be susceptible to
Mintel. (2013). Teen athletes more likely to drink, less likely to use drugs. Available: http://academic.mintel.com.atlas.worc.ac.uk/sinatra/oxygen_academic/display/id=687169?highlight. Last accessed 4th January 2014.
Participation in sports has proven to increase self-discipline and self-esteem, and can teach athletes to learn from their mistakes and move on (Issitt). Athletes playing team sports also develop the ability to work well with others and use teamwork in their everyday lives. Teammates form relationships that are strengthened over a common passion and goal. These relationships can last long after high school is over (Chen). These social skills translate into better communication used with an athlete’s family, peers, and in the community. Likewise, “A 2006 study in Maryland found that student athletes are 15 percent more likely than non athletes to be involved in their communities and to take the time for civic engagements, including participating in voting and volunteer activities” (Issitt). The same study also concluded that athletes are far more likely to be comfortable with public speaking than non-athletes. This study provides concrete evidence that high school sports can help to gain mental and social skills that will be used later in life
A growing concern in the United States is high school sports. Sports can strengthen an individual 's physical, emotional and mental state. In addition, students in high school who play sports are oftentimes more likely to focus in class better, and for a longer periods of time. Furthermore, they work better in groups and generally have greater grade point averages than students who do not play sports (Psychological). High school sports should not be forced onto students, but be offered. Sports teach students skills that can be applied in school, and in everyday life.
“Sports do not build character. They reveal it” said John Wooden, Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach. Sports have become very popular over past years and it seems like nobody really joins the sport knowing the true benefits coming from these sports. After all, most people do watch sports on tv more than reality shows or movies. Many teens join sports in their high school years, and most don’t know that these sports are the things keeping teens out of conflicts. A new disagreement has arisen over whether or not sports can keep teens out of trouble. Participating in sports keeps teens out of trouble because it prevents depression and stress, creates a community, and averts boredom.
At some point students has had trouble either at home or at school and need to release stress or tension. Some of these times the teens choose to do activities that are wrong. Youth want to feel comfort and accepted, therefore they sometimes will do events that are not well for their body just to fit in with a group. There is evidence that proves sports can reduce the likeliness of teens committing crimes, or getting into trouble. Tees look at the negative substances such as drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, and think that they can do whatever they want. Many teens look at these activities and think they are “exciting” or “cool” and want to try them, but if they are busy with sports they most likely will not be as easily influenced. Participation in sports helps keep teens out of trouble by taking up their free time which could be used for mischief, gives them an opportunity to meet new friends for positive role models, provides teens an outlet to develop a higher self-esteem, and also enables student to set goals for on and off the field.
Sports programs have been an integral part of all schools. They support the academics of the school and therefore foster success in life. These programs are educational and help produce productive citizenship. They help students experience and build skills that may help them in their future, like interpersonal and time management skills. Education may kindle the light of knowledge, but sports help to maintain the proper physique. Sports are also an important means of entertainment and a use for energy after long hours of study. Sports increase a student’s performance not only in the classroom but also in their life.
revealed that participation in sports reduced the risk of overall illicit drug use, but particularly during high school; suggesting that this may be a critical period to reduce or prevent the use of drugs through sport.” (Addictive Behaviors.) Being involved helps teens take responsibility and a sense of pride in their activity. Therefore to avoid disappointment and failure adolescents will avoid substances known to have a negative correlation on the activity. One of the items that they may deem harmful includes alcohol since it affects awareness and reaction time. Serious athletes will know to stay away to help maintain their edge and level of fitness. Certainly, participation in extracurricular activities or simply belonging can help decrease teen drinking.