Erik Szymonski is responsible for the PE curriculum and teaching NCFE Level 2 sport at Sutton Tuition and Reintegration Service (STARS), a pupil referral unit. “There are a lots of reasons why physical activity can be beneficial to mental health. Science has shown that exercise releases endorphins and serotonin which improve your mood. But the power of exercise is even greater; it gives people something to focus on, a purpose.
“Exercise creates an environment which allows you to see growth and progression, no matter what level you are at. Whatever your goal, I think over time, this focus on a physical goal allows for people to step away from the preoccupation with the rest of their lives and focus on something that is only going to make them better.”
Jovana Jankovic is a tennis coach at Riverside LTC in Bedford, who played professionally in Serbia: “Sport provides a way for people to have time for themselves to focus purely on exercise and bettering themselves. “
Gary O’Brien is Head of Tennis and Squash at St Paul’s School in London and has seen these benefits first hand among his students: “I think for young people, getting involved in team sports facilitates many mental benefits: it helps them make friends and improve their social skills. Team sports can also help with both verbal and non-verbal communication; something that is so key to performing well in sports.
“Another factor is confidence. Team sports can help young people voice their opinions, show off their skills, as well as improve at a sport. Playing in a team also can help with conflict resolution, whether that is within your team, or with the opposition. It is quite clear that when playing team sports, your actions alone can have a big impact on the team, however it is also humbling to know that your ability alone often has little or no bearing on outcome, so young people must learn to work together to achieve success.
“All this allows for mental maturation and resilience, leading to the ability to overcome difficult situations in life. Team sports can help give young people the skills they need to take into later life.”
“Sport has a profound impact on a students’ mental health,” says O’Brien. “The enhanced flow of oxygen to the brain can increase a students’ productivity in the initial hours after exercise which can help declutter the mind if more tasks are being performed as a direct result of exercise. Many students have some degree of body dysmorphia or insecurities about their appearance; exercise may help alleviate this stress.
“Football, for example, is a great activity for students that can address multiple areas of the brain. It is a sport which involves complex thinking and reasoning, thus improving problem solving. The presence of multiple players, movements and decisions means a player must be highly attentive; they must be able to process and switch between tasks in open play whilst at the same time staying aware of their visual and spatial limitations. Such is the team nature of football; a player must be able to connect and work with their team mates. Verbal reasoning and the integration of thoughts and emotions play a key role in this area.”
“Athletes learn how to be independent and deal with situations on their own without needing validation from a third party,” says Jankovic. “I have seen many shy and insecure students take on an individual sport and come out much more confident and clearer minded.”
Szymonski adds: “Sometimes, if a student has had a bad morning, or a bad week, after a competitive game of sport, you see smiles and a happier demeanour. I think taking part in physical activity will be the key to long term happiness and improvements in mental health.
“A lot of my players will show a completely different persona when they enter a sporting environment. Research has been interpreted to suggest that teenage boys especially require high praise and a growth mind set to thrive. I have seen this to be the case for pupils across a range of situations, from low ability PE lessons to nationally competitive players. Sport has shown to be a release for pupils, especially those who are having troubles in other aspects of school. It is a great chance for them to experience success no matter what level they play.”
O’Brien again: “Sports tours are naturally about training and competing in different environments and against different players to round your experience and expertise in the desired sport. The non-sport excursions are important for many reasons. They encourage rest and recovery, which is essential for any performer. They can encourage further team bonding outside of sport which may then enhance relationships in it. They also enhance a cultural appreciation of other cultures, customs and countries – something I feel is vital especially for English students.”
Szymonski adds: “A sports tour will improve team dynamics because of spending extended time together. Students might make new friends and it could also be quite exciting for a lot of young people who have not had the opportunity to go abroad or travel much.”
“Sports tours offer the best of both worlds,” sums up Jankovic. “It provides people with the ability to see other cultures and explore different places while at the same time, they’re able to focus on their training and match playing.”
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