High school team sports may mean risky business for young men

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Participating in team sports is thought to be good for kids and teens, teaching them discipline, teamwork and encouraging healthful behavior. But a new study suggests there may be some down sides to playing sports.

Researchers surveyed 13,000 male and female high school students from around the country to see if a connection existed between playing team sports and risky behavior. Among the young men, 60.5% said they participated in team sports in the previous year, and among young women, 48% played one or more team sports.

Taking part in team sports for males was associated with increased levels of fighting, drinking, and binge drinking. It was also, however, linked with lower levels of depression and smoking.

Among young women, sports seemed to have a more beneficial effect. Participation was linked with lower levels of fighting, depression, smoking, marijuana use, and unhealthy weight-loss habits. No association was made between sports and drinking. All activity was self-reported.

‘Sports team participation appears to have both protective and risk-enhancing associations,’ said Susan M. Connor, the study’s lead author, in a news release. ‘These results indicate that healthy lifestyle benefits are not universal and do not apply equally across genders.’ Conner is with the Injury Prevention Center, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

The study was presented at the annual meeting and exposition of the American Public Health Assn. held this week in Philadelphia.

-- Jeannine Stein