A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that engaging in physical activity during early childhood, particularly organized sports, could significantly reduce the incidence of mental health disorders in later childhood and adolescence. The research highlights distinct differences in protective effects based on gender and specific conditions. Although the findings are observational, they underscore the importance of promoting physical activity as a means to build resilience against stress-related mental health issues among children.

Researchers examined data from the ABIS Study (All Babies in Southeast Sweden), which involved 17,055 families with children born between 1997 and 1999 in Southeast Sweden. Parents reported their children's levels of physical activity, time spent outdoors, and participation in organized sports at ages 5, 8, and 11. Among the participants, approximately one-quarter experienced traumatic events before age five, increasing to nearly 30% by age ten. By analyzing mental health diagnoses up to age 18, the researchers found that increased physical activity was associated with a lower risk of developing mental health disorders.

One notable finding was the decline in daily physical activity from an average of over four hours at age five to about two and a half hours by age eleven. Each additional hour of physical activity at age eleven corresponded to a 12% reduction in the likelihood of being diagnosed with any mental disorder before age eighteen. However, these protective effects varied by sex. For instance, boys who were physically active at age eleven had a 30% lower risk of developing any mental illness, whereas no significant association was observed for girls after adjusting for various factors.

Further analysis revealed that the benefits of physical activity appeared earlier in boys than in girls. Boys showed a reduced risk of depression at ages five and eight, while no such effects were noted in girls. Additionally, participation in organized sports at age eleven was strongly linked to a lower risk of first-time mental health disorders, with boys experiencing a 23% reduction and girls seeing a 12% reduction.

While outdoor time did not seem to influence mental health outcomes, involvement in organized sports demonstrated clear advantages. Boys participating in organized sports experienced a 35% lower risk of depression, compared to an 11% reduction for girls. Organized sports also reduced anxiety risks by 21% for boys and 14% for girls, along with addiction risks by 30% for boys and 41% for girls.

The researchers speculate that these differences may stem from varying hormonal influences or physiological consequences tied to cultural norms. Despite the limitations of relying on parental recall and the observational nature of the study, the findings suggest that the period just before and during early puberty represents a critical window for developing resilience through physical activity.

This study emphasizes the need to promote physical activity, especially organized sports, as a vital strategy in addressing the rising prevalence of psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents globally. Encouraging early engagement in physical activities could pave the way for healthier mental development in youth.