Team sport is a form of physical activity where people play organised sports where the goal is to win. It involves a variety of activities ranging from high-intensity running and wrestling to lower-intensity games. The activities involve the use of equipment such as a ball and a hoop. Some team sports include volleyball, hockey, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, football and soccer.
Team sport is considered a good way to promote health. Research has shown that participation in sports improves health and reduces the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental illnesses. It also has positive effects on mental health and life satisfaction. In addition to the physical benefits, team sport can develop valuable life skills, such as cooperation, teamwork, and commitment.
Studies have suggested that team sport can offer many advantages to adolescents. While individual sports have their own unique merits, team sports provide a more engaging experience for many people. For example, a soccer game includes a number of different sprints and directional changes. Players can earn awards and prizes for their team’s achievements. These opportunities can be a great way to encourage young people to get involved in sports.
However, while the benefits of playing team sports are well established, there are still fewer studies on the effectiveness of physical activity interventions. Therefore, it is important to identify the best ways to promote and increase girls’ participation in team sports. As such, a systematic review has been conducted to assess the effect of physical activity interventions on secondary school aged girls’ participation in team sport. This study focused on the UK, and sought to assess the impact of team sport interventions on physical activity levels, life outcomes, and related health outcomes.
Participation in team sport has been associated with increased self-esteem, higher grades, and better mental health. A number of studies have indicated that team sport participants exhibit lower risk-taking behaviours and lower levels of depression and stress. Furthermore, the experience of participating in sports is a key factor in determining whether an individual will choose to engage in sport. Despite this, evidence for the effectiveness of physical activity interventions to promote team sports among girls is limited.
To conduct this review, the authors used electronic databases to search for relevant studies about the impact of team sport interventions on girls. They identified four studies that met the eligibility criteria. Each study was included in the review if it was carried out in the UK, included girls, and had a participation measure. Additionally, the studies were reviewed for their effectiveness and included details of the interventions. Several of the intervention designs included components such as consultation with girls, partnership working, and encouragement to try new sports.
The results of the review suggest that physical activity interventions may help girls to maintain a sustained level of participation in team sport. Further research is needed to evaluate rigorous, high-quality, and high-impact interventions that encourage girls to try new sports, sustain their involvement in team sport, and participate in other activities.