The behavioral, psychological, and social impacts of team sports: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zuckerman, Scott L.; Tang, Alan R.; Richard, Kelsey E.; Grisham, Candace J.; Kuhn, Andrew W.; Bonfield, Christopher M.; Yengo-Kahn, Aaron M.
• Is Part Of: Physician and sportsmedicine. Volume 49:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 246
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Sport-related concussion -- team sport -- chronic traumatic encephalopathy -- public health; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine du sport -- Périodiques; Sports medicine; Sportgeneeskunde; Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2020.1850152
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-3847

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives : To assess the association between team sport participation and behavioral, psychological, and social health outcomes in young athletes. Methods : A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to identify studies published between 01/01/1950-05/01/2020 investigating the association between team sport participation and health outcomes in young athletes (<25 years). Included studies compared team sport participants to controls or themselves, assessed health outcomes, and had a sample size >50. Prospective and retrospective studies were included; non-primary literature was excluded. Health outcomes were categorized as: 1) behavioral, 2) psychological, or 3) social. Data were extracted to form 2 × 2 tables for each study to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results : Of 371 queried articles, 34 studies from 10 countries across 4 continents were included, with 9 reporting homogenous outcomes for meta-analysis. Behavioral: Fifteen studies evaluated behavioral health outcomes of alcohol and/or drug use, fitness, and diet. Quantitatively, team sport participation was found to decrease rates of cigarette/tobacco use across 5 studies (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.69–0.76) and alcohol/drug use across 7 studies (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.69–0.77). Qualitatively, 12/15 (80%) of studies confirmed improved behavioral health outcomes with team sport participation. Psychological: Nineteen studies evaluated psychological health outcomes including anorexia, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. Quantitatively, team sport participation was associated with decreased depression/anxiety rates across 5 studies (OR 0.59, 95%CI 0.54–0.64). Qualitatively, 14/19 (74%) of studies confirmed improved psychological health. Social: Ten studies evaluated social health outcomes including academic performance, commitment, psychosocial health, social behavior/identity, and delinquency/high-risk activity. Qualitatively, 7/10 (70%) of studies confirmed improved social health outcomes with team sport participation. Conclusion : Team sport participation was associated with decreased odds of smoking/tobacco use, alcohol/drug use, and depression/anxiety. Though few studies mentioned potential negative effects of team sport participation, the majority reported improved behavioral, psychological, and social health outcomes in youth athletes worldwide.