How did competitive sports during your youth affect you? Both short term and long term. Personally, I am a big advocate for competitive sports for all ages, when the coaching is appropriate for the age group and the pressure is appropriate for the age playing. The benefits of competitive sports begin with the reduction of childhood/adult obesity, competitive spirit development, sportsmanship skills, teamwork skills and individual athletic development. I truly believe that sports can be such a confidence booster, especially because of the hormones that are released during exercise, you know the saying, "Look good, feel good'? It's true. Even at a young age, the endorphins released during intense exercise on a field, on a court, in the pool, etc., reap endless benefits for children.

The negative outcomes that can come from competitive sports and school age children include the following: over competitive parents/coaches that ruin a love for the game, injury, emotional stress, low confidence if the child is not particularly skilled and also, over stimulation on the muscles and joints if kids aren't strength trained at an age appropriate intensity.

Children who experience overzealous coaches and parents can be turned away from any athletic activity just to avoid the negative attitudes that can possibly surround it. Children who are overweight or lack athletic abilities could start to shy away from the training and competitions. Major and even minor injuries deter children from returning to their sport of choice. Children who are more intellectually inclined could potentially invest their time in other activities that exercise the brain more so than the body itself. In those instances, sports may be more detrimental than beneficial to the child's development, and that's okay. Sports aren't for everyone, but they've been a lifesaver for me.

Being involved in athletics for an entire lifetime can teach the value of hard work, discipline, the importance of physical fitness and it can build so many relationships that can push you farther in every aspect of your life. 60 minutes a day of competition and training can easily influence the next 60 years of your life.

Ultimately, competitive sports have a number of benefits to offer all age groups. The life lessons that are taught on the field or court will be carried throughout the players' lives and turn them into the well-rounded adults that they have the potential to be. A lifetime of participation in sports can provide an outlet to relieve stress, exercise your competitive nature and make connections with teammates and opponents who share the same passions.