The Positive Effects of Youth Competitive Sports
First, it is important to clarify there are many group sports from soccer, basketball, baseball, football, etc. But competitive group sports also include dance as well.
The unique quality of dance as a competitive sport that stands out over many others is the fact that it offers both group and individual competition opportunities in one and is also considered an art form. Regardless of what form of competitive sports a youth chooses, the positive effects are endless.
Let’s focus on the positive effects of dance as a competition sport for youth and how it prepares them for lifetime situations of all kinds.
Staying Healthy:
Physical activity motivated by competition, challenges the youth to more advanced skills in physical training, pushes the body to perform at a greater technical skill level, improves cardio, muscle strength, coordination, endurance, cognitive skills, and is proven to decrease stress levels and improve mood. All of this can also set them up for a physically fit life of healthy exercise as an adult.
Encouraging Higher Standards of Achievement:
Competitive activities, along with preparing them for wins and losses later in their adult life, also helps kids develop important skills like resilience, perseverance, and tenacity. They learn to push through, have the discipline to not give up and strive to do more than what is required. They learn to not give up on themselves, be responsible and challenge themselves to their full potential.
Character Development:
Competitive dance teaches you to bounce back from failure and respond positively to pressure and challenges, and then adapt to move forward towards greater success. To achieve life successes, you need to know how to handle losses or failures, to learn from those experiences in a positive way and use them to grow stronger in your confidence. Sometimes from our competitive losses we learn more about what we can do next time for greater successes. Competitive dance requires dedicated training and practice, giving youth the skills to stay focused on the ultimate goal of personal growth. Successes create positive effects of self-esteem, sense of shared happiness and makes the win just that much sweeter, knowing that hard work pays off.
Building Teamwork:
Regular training and competition build a sense of community and bonding. Working together towards a common goal is one of the most effective ways to grow friendships and learn inclusivity of others who may be different from ourselves, by sharing in the love of the sport, and common goals of success brings the team together. It’s this shared experience and emotion that builds trust, loyalty, and camaraderie within a team.
The Joy of Dance as a Competition Sport:
Music and movement fill the soul with joy, raises our endorphin levels, and lifts our spirits. Combine this along with the physically challenging sport of competition dance, and you create a powerful energy of determination, confidence, and happiness like no other. Blend this with the ability to work together celebrate each other’s unique skills and achieve the success and strength of life building benefits, and you make everyone a winner for life.