By understanding mental well-being in sports, parents, coaches, and young athletes can ensure that students receive the support they need on and off the field. Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by up to 20 percent among adolescents. These findings highlight how physical activity and mental health go hand in hand, making athletic participation vital for overall well-being.
Emphasizing the Mental Benefits of Sports
Young people who play sports reap a range of psychological rewards. Physical exercise releases endorphins, which reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness. More importantly, playing team sports can improve a person’s mental health because it fosters social connections and teaches resilience. Rather than feeling isolated, athletes often experience camaraderie, support, and belonging. This environment counters loneliness — a key risk factor for depression and anxiety. Here are some specific examples of the mental benefits of playing sports:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that children who engage in regular exercise experience improved mood and better academic performance.
- A study in The Sport Journal found that adolescents participating in sports had higher self-esteem and lower stress levels than non-athletes.
- Mental health organizations note that strong social support systems, such as those formed in team sports, play a crucial role in helping youth manage mental health challenges.
These numbers underscore how sports help mental health by keeping kids active and socially engaged. Moreover, the positive effects of sports on mental health extend beyond immediate outcomes. Young athletes often develop a lifelong appreciation for fitness and self-care, leading to healthier habits during adulthood.
Why Mental Well-Being Matters in Sports Psychology
Experts in mental health in sports psychology emphasize the importance of the mental side of sports. Students who struggle mentally may find it difficult to stay motivated, control their nerves, and maintain focus. Performance training programs often weave in mental techniques, such as visualization and goal setting, to help athletes master their psychological game. This holistic approach is why mental health and sports are inseparable components of a well-rounded athletic development plan. Here are some of the benefits of mental training:
- Improved Focus: Regular mental drills help athletes remain calm under pressure.
- Resilience: Students learn to bounce back from mistakes quickly, preventing prolonged performance slumps.
- Confidence: Positive self-talk techniques improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety.
How Sports Training Builds Character and Coping Mechanisms
Beyond physical fitness, youth sports teach valuable life skills. The structure and discipline of athletics encourage goal setting, time management, and perseverance. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), exercise helps regulate mood and stress levels by balancing hormones and neurotransmitters. This physiological support, combined with a strong community of peers and coaches, illustrates sports mental health benefits in action.
Key Ways Sports Participation Supports Mental Well-Being
Participating in sports helps support mental well-being in several key ways, including:
- Stress Management: Physical exertion helps release tension and clears the mind.
- Teamwork Skills: Collaborating with teammates develops communication and conflict resolution abilities.
- Self-Esteem Boost: Positive feedback and incremental progress build confidence in young athletes.
- Routine and Structure: Consistent practice schedules instill discipline and help students manage time.
- Emotional Resilience: Students learn to handle both victory and defeat, preparing them for life’s ups and downs.
The Importance of Sports Performance Training
People sometimes ask why sports performance training is necessary if athletes already practice with their in-season coaches. The reality is that performance training takes a sports-agnostic approach, focusing on critical areas like speed, agility, strength, and injury prevention. This specialized approach complements regular practice sessions by enhancing fundamental skills that apply to any sport.
Whether athletes are in-season or off-season, sports performance training allows them to focus on specific physical and mental improvements that can be overlooked during traditional practices. By sharpening techniques and building core strength, sports performance training reduces stress and increases self-confidence — two key elements linked to sports helping mental health.
Visit UPSWING Foundation to discover more about our mission to empower young athletes and how what we do helps promote sports psychology and mental health awareness. Between sports performance, dance, and recovery, all of our training programs emphasize the mental benefits of performance training as much as physical training.
Children who engage in regular physical activity often develop healthy routines, strong social connections, and greater emotional resilience. These benefits underscore the importance of supporting movement-based programs and prioritizing youth wellness.
Training at a facility like UPSWING Centennial supports mental health by building confidence, discipline, and resilience through structured youth sports performance, dance, and recovery programs. These activities promote emotional regulation, reduce stress, and foster a sense of belonging, laying a strong foundation for lifelong mental well-being and positive self-identity.
UPSWING Foundation was founded in 2020 by Harmony and Jason Myers as a Colorado-based nonprofit with a vision to connect people and catapult dreams. We know access to sports, education, and other opportunities is too often limited by barriers such as socioeconomic factors. We also know all kids should have an equal opportunity to experience sports, to learn and grow, to connect with others, and to discover and pursue their dreams.
Our mission is to develop strong, confident, successful student-athletes who are able to give back to their communities in meaningful ways. We can do that by crushing barriers that limit access. We work to crush those barriers by:
- Developing high-quality programming to support athletes, their families, and our communities
- Creating world-class amateur sports campuses that integrate multiple sports, fields, training, and educational spaces
- Ensuring access to programming and facilities through dedicated scholarship and support programs
- Partnering with and supporting like-minded organizations to create opportunities for aspiring athletes and our communities
If you’re interested in supporting young athletes, you can learn more about what we do, view our partnership packages, or donate to support our critical work!
If you want to sign up for Sports Performance, Dance, or Recovery Training at UPSWING Centennial, you can do this by either downloading the “UPSWING Foundation” app on the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting our website.
ABOUT UPSWING FOUNDATION:
UPSWING Foundation, a Colorado nonprofit corporation, exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, is the only youth sports foundation based in Colorado’s mile-high training grounds that provides access to world-class programs alongside top athletes for kids of all backgrounds in order to connect people and catapult dreams. Where access to sports and other opportunities is often limited by barriers such as socioeconomic factors, the UPSWING Foundation works to crush those barriers by creating first-in-class, accessible programming and training spaces to develop strong, confident, successful student-athletes who are able to pursue their dreams and give back to their communities in meaningful ways. To learn more, visit us at upswingfoundation.org.
Main Office:
1746 Cole Blvd, Ste 300,
Lakewood, CO 80401
contact@upswingfoundation.org
(720) 608-0259
ABOUT UPSWING CENTENNIAL:
UPSWING Centennial is the first dedicated space built to deliver the UPSWING experience to aspiring athletes in Denver and the surrounding communities with world-class services in performance training, dance, and recovery.
UPSWING Centennial:
7460 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122
facilities@upswingfoundation.org
(720) 500-5100
ABOUT SPARK:
SPARK is a contracted program through UPSWING, owned and managed by the renowned Nicole Kahre. Nicole is an award-winning choreographer with an impressive and diverse background, including serving as the choreographer for the Denver Nuggets Dance Team. Her expertise and passion for mentoring young athletes have led to her dancers being featured on shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. Nicole created SPARK to train high school and college dance teams, contributing to multiple 4A and 5A State Championships and three National Pom and Dance Program victories. At UPSWING, SPARK boasts a team of about 10 highly skilled dance instructors from various backgrounds, including a CU Dance Team alumna and two Broncos Cheerleaders. Decades of teaching dance at an elite level and studying the science behind all technical skills will provide athletes the technique and mastery of fundamental skills necessary to succeed in any dance team program.
SPARK at UPSWING Centennial:
7460 S University Blvd, Centennial, CO 80122
facilities@upswingfoundation.org
(720) 500-5100
