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Essay On Sports Should Be Compulsory In Schools

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According to recent studies, the amount of adolescents considered to be obese has increased by over 15% during the past thirty years (“Childhood Obesity Facts”). Physical activity is an essential part of every person’s day in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. Currently, Hudson High School requires all students to take the equivalent of two semesters of Physical Education class over the course of their high school education. However, mandating that all students participate in one sport is a much improved standard that will allow students to enjoy their physical activity and choose how they want to be active. Participating in one sports team should be the necessary stipulation for high school graduation because sports are shown to increase …show more content…

Engaging in a sport or physical activity creates a more positive environment. Feelings of satisfaction with one’s life are exhibited more frequently in those who play sports. As stated in the article “Young Teens Who Play Sports Feel Healthier and Happier About Life”, “Playing on a sports team was linked to higher life satisfaction in both boys and girls.” This trend of increased satisfaction reveals playing on a sports team where students can choose the activity to do helps to create a positive attitude in all aspects of their life, not just physical activity. In addition to benefitting individual happiness, sport participation increases school spirit. By motivating students to become active members of their school (both literally and figuratively) the overall morale of the school is enhanced. The article says, “sports team participation may enhance school connectedness, social support and bonding among friends and teammates” (“Young Teens”). Sports teams create unbreakable bonds between teammates. Mandating that every student join a team would help grow a positive attitude in the school. The benefits to satisfaction and happiness of the school environment prove all students should be required to be involved in one sport, instead of Physical …show more content…

The benefits to grade averages and letter grades is clear among students who play sports. The article “A Physical Education Trial Improves Adolescents’ Cognitive Performance and Academic Achievement: the EDUFIT Study” reports the findings of a study that involved a control group, a group that received four PE classes a week, and a group that received four high intensity PE classes a week. The results showed, “Average school grades (e.g., mathematics) increased more in Experimental Group 2 than in the Control Group” (“A Physical”). Being active and playing a sport helps students with their academic performance as well as their physical health. The study also tested unofficially recorded measures of academic achievement, such as non-verbal reasoning, abstract reasoning, spatial ability, and numerical ability. Student performance improved in these areas as well. The article states, “All the cognitive performance variables, except verbal reasoning, increased more in Experimental Group 2 than in the Control Group” (“A Physical”). Exercise and activity increase all-around brain function in students. Both reflective grades and ability levels reaped the benefits of physical activity. Becoming a member of a sports team should therefore be a graduation requirement as opposed to taking Physical Education

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