The Association Between Sports Participation and Physical Fitness

Abstract

Context:  The increasing extent of physical inactivity among children, adolescents, and adults is one of the greatest public health concerns. Sport is a type of leisure-time physical activity. With improved knowledge regarding the health advantages of physical activity, the role of sports in society has become increasingly important for the promotion of public health. Recognizing the significance of the effects of sports participation on physical fitness, this study presents a review of the association between sports participation and physical fitness. Evidence Acquisition:  A search for literature was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the terms “sports participation and physical fitness” to find the association between the key terms. A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results:  Sports participation was found to be positively associated with physical fitness. Participation in sports was associated with more physical activity, less sedentary behavior, and improved physical fitness. Participation in club sports led to improved physical fitness, especially endurance and strength. Sports participation resulted in improved cardiorespiratory fitness, improved anaerobic performance, and higher levels of muscular strength. Conclusions:  Sports participation is associated with many health benefits, including improved physical fitness. As sports participation is a well-liked physical activity, making it easily accessible and spreading awareness about its benefits can lead to more healthy people and communities.