Sports

Of students from 1st through 12th grade in the United States, 57 percent participate in some form of extracurricular activity. Within those involved in extracurriculars, 34.7 percent are in a sport.¹ Three-fourths of parents in the U.S. report encouraging their children to participate in a sport.² Those who participate in sports and athletics have a lower likelihood of cardiovascular disease and obesity, and can increase bone and joint health, as well as improve sleep quality.³ Children in sports are also likely to have better vision — and have lower risk of developing vision impairments — and better motor skills than those who do not.⁴ Participation in athletics can also improve academic performance.⁵