A SURVEY OF OPINIONS OF STUDENTS INVOLVED IN ATHLETICS REGARDING EXTRACURRICULAR SPORTS ACTIVITIES, AND A STUDY OF HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HABITS
Keywords:
athletics, students, survey, opinion, healthy lifestyleAbstract
Athletics is a sport that gets children and young people moving. The power of athletics is to inspire children to be more active, develop their skills and confidence, and connect with sport for life. Athletics provides an opportunity for children to develop a wide range of skills. Children learn discipline, perseverance and the value of hard work. They develop problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills as they face challenges during training and competition. Track and field encourages time management and goal-setting skills as athletes must balance their training, schoolwork, and other commitments. These skills, acquired through sports, can have a positively impact a child's academic performance and future endeavors. Participating in athletics significantly boosts a child's self-esteem. As children improve their skills and witness their progress, they gain a sense of accomplishment and develop confidence in their abilities. The successes and failures experienced in sports teach children how to deal with both victory and defeat, instilling resilience and perseverance. Regular physical activity has a positive effect on symptoms of anxiety and depression in children. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin in the brain, which help regulate mood and promote a sense of well-being. For children who may be struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or low self-esteem, playing sports can be a natural and effective way to improve their mental state. The purpose of our study is to examine students' opinions about extracurricular athletics activities and to determine whether they lead a healthy lifestyle. To conduct the study, we used a survey of students aged between 13 and 16 years who participated in, athletics as an extracurricular activity. The analysis of the results shows that over 95% of the surveyed athletes are convinced that physical activity and sport contribute to their good health. Based on the research conducted, we can conclude that a positive attitude towards sports has a beneficial effect on the health and professional fulfillment of the individuals studied
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