Playing Youth Soccer Offers Multiple Developmental Benefits

From Long Island, Rachel Lader is completing her Juris Doctor at New York Law School. Before beginning college, Rachel Lader played on a nationally ranked soccer team.

Participation in a youth soccer program offers a variety of benefits for young people. Unlike sports such as baseball and softball, soccer requires players to develop their physical fitness, agility, and stamina.

Chasing the soccer ball for two 45-minute halves is equivalent to running more than five miles. This exertion increases aerobic capacity and vastly improves overall cardiovascular health. Soccer also makes players use a variety of muscles, develop muscle strength, and increase bone density throughout the body.

In addition to the physical benefits, belonging to a soccer team has emotional benefits. Multiple studies have shown that engaging in a high level of physical activity by playing a sport such as soccer activates the neurotransmitters that regulate mood. In addition, experiencing disappointments, such as a lost game or an unfavorable referee call, can help children become more emotionally resilient.