Effects of Participation in School Sports on Academic and Social Outcome Variables

• In Event: 49.077 - P–20 Perspectives on Students and Sport

Abstract

For many students, school-led sports programs are an important part of their educational experience. Propensity score matching was used to investigate the impact of participation in school sports on academic and social variables. Data were obtained from the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), resulting in a total sample of 29,535 12th grade students, of which 12,849 participated regularly (at least 1-2 times per week) in school-led sports. Participation in school sports was associated with higher GPAs, favorable perceptions of school safety, and increased perceptions of family and teacher/community support. Given that participation in school-organized sports provides many positive youth development outcomes, schools should consider promoting school-organized sports to students.

Authors

• Okan Bulut, University of Alberta

• Martin Van Boekel, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Luke Stanke, University of Minnesota

• Jose R. Palma Zamora, University of Minnesota

• Kyle Nickodem, University of Minnesota

• Kory Vue, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

• Yu-Feng Chang, University of Minnesota

• Nicholas Latterell, University of Minnesota

• Michael C. Rodriguez, University of Minnesota