Author(s): Chandrakanta Hiremath

Abstract:
Sports is an activity involving physical exertion and skills in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. Sports is losing its momentum due to rise in number of children and adolescents engaging in using gadgets. Gadgets have ill effects on children as the research show that there is delay in learning and social skills, obesity and sleep problems. Technological evolution has given rise to sedentary behavior. Research show that excessive use of technology results in social anxiety, depression, eating disorder, loneliness, Nomophobia, seflieitis, phantom ringing syndrome and other technology addicted disorders. It has a huge negative impact on not only physical health but also affecting psychological and social health. Outcome of technological evolution is that fewer number of children and adolescents are interested in engaging themselves in sports. Research evidence shows that participating in sports assists in better social skills, assertiveness, higher self-esteem, self-confidence, self-control, self-concept, and competence. Further it also helps in having fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders. This implies that participating in sports has positive impact on mental health as it improves overall quality of life. Despite these benefits there are only handful of mental health professionals who recommend children and adolescents to engage in sports. Extensive research needs to be done on how sports is helpful in alleviating symptoms of various mental disorders so that the findings can help the mental health professionals to include sports as part of intervention of mental disorders.

Pages: 14-18  |  17339 Views  15193 Downloads