Co-author: Véronique Boudreault, PhD, PsyD, professor at Université de Sherbrooke and holder of the Aléo Research Chair

Adolescence is a pivotal time of change—in our bodies, our perspectives, and our emotions—that presents many challenges for youth. But what if sport was one of the keys to successfully navigating the ups and downs of adolescence? Playing sports is more than just a way to stay in shape; it can play a vital role in young people’s development and help safeguard them from psychological distress.

What are the mental health benefits of sports? And what valuable skills can our teens learn on the field, in the pool, or on the track?

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of sport on teens’ well-being in this first article in our series on sports and mental health, written in collaboration with CF Montréal. 

Read on for an in-depth analysis by Véronique Boudreault, PhD, plus testimonials from passionate soccer player Éloi, age 16, and Félix Brillant, coach at the CF Montréal Academy.

In collaboration with CF Montréal

HOW SPORTS ARE BENEFICIAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH

“I started playing soccer around the same time I started hockey, when I was about 5 years old. One day, I told my dad I just wanted to play soccer year-round. I was already passionate about it and got really hooked on the sport!” – Éloi, 16, U16 player at the CF Montréal Academy

MORE RESILIENCE AND BETTER STRESS MANAGEMENT 😬

Sport is widely recognized for its beneficial effects on young people’s mental health, promoting psychological well-being and reducing the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders.^1,2

First and foremost, exercise releases endorphins—neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and reduce stress, thereby improving overall well-being.³

With regular exercise, these effects accumulate and strengthen a person’s resilience in the face of everyday challenges. For example, physical activity helps regulate the stress hormone cortisol, which makes it easier to remain calm under pressure.^4,5

Éloi has experienced this first-hand: “Soccer definitely helps me manage stress in my daily life. Playing in major events against top-level teams has made it easier for me to mentally prepare for stressful situations.”

This ability to transfer lessons learned through sport to other spheres of life common among young athletes. For Éloi, the benefits of sport extend far beyond the field: “At the end of the day, preparing for an exam at school is no different than preparing for a soccer match. My sport has helped me manage stress in all areas of my life, including school. I rarely get nervous before exams now, because I’m used to feeling this stress and know how to keep things in perspective.”

ESSENTIAL SKILLS 💪

Competitive sports provide a rich learning environment that teaches adaptability and other skills that apply in daily life, including the following:

• Organization
• Prioritization skills
• Perseverance
• Stress management
• Teamwork⁹

In addition to these practical skills, sports help boost self-confidence. By learning to set and achieve progressive goals, young athletes develop a sense of competence and accomplishment.¹⁰

Eloi’s experience is the perfect illustration: “The discipline that soccer requires, like having to train every day, helps me stay on track with my schoolwork. Over time, I’ve learned that procrastination, whether at school or on the soccer field, isn’t helpful.”

PROTECTION AGAINST PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS 🧠

Another important way in which sports support mental health is by strengthening players’ social connections and sense of belonging.

Young people who play a team sport or participate in another structured sporting activity often benefit from a support network that has a protective effect on their mental health.¹¹

Being part of a team or group boosts teens’ self-esteem and sense of self-efficacy while reducing the risk of social isolation.¹²

Coach Brillant stresses the importance of this social framework: “Collectively, sport has a real impact on the sense of belonging that young people feel. Team spirit, mutual aid, encouragement: these are all things you find in team sports like soccer. We win together and we lose together. Players form a strong bond, even kids who didn’t know each other at the start of the year can become very close by the end of the season.”

He also emphasizes a coach’s vital role in helping young athletes maintain balance in their lives: “Staying active and expending energy does wonders for mental health. But it’s our job as coaches to make sure our players don’t burn themselves out. We need to keep an eye on their fatigue and sports-related stress. We want them to understand that competition is a performance, and that every performance comes with its share of stress. It’s perfectly normal, and we’re here to guide them through it.”

For Éloi, the connection between well-being and sports is clear: “Because I play soccer, I often find myself working with a team and meeting new people at tournaments. I think it’s helped me improve my social skills. Playing soccer with good players, against good teams motivates me and gives me a sense of pride.”

In short, the benefits of playing sports go beyond the physiological. Sports are also a powerful lever for mental health, as long as they’re played in a healthy, balanced environment that considers the overall well-being of young athletes.