Across the United States, fewer kids are playing sports each year. Researchers like Tom Farrey want to know why. He’s the founder of the Aspen Institute’s Sports and Society Program, a nonprofit organization that studies youth participation in sports.
About three-quarters of U.S. kids ages 6 to 12 played a sport in 2016, according to the Aspen Institute. This includes team sports like basketball, soccer, and softball. It also includes individual sports like tennis and martial arts.
While this seems like a lot, most sports have seen a steady decrease in participation since 2008. Only golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, and ice hockey saw gains during that time.
“There has been a shift away from not only organized sports but also disorganized, casual outdoor play,” says Farrey.
The researchers have a few ideas for why this is happening. One reason is that organized sports teams are expensive to join. Another is that kids are spending more time on their smartphones and tablets, and less time being physically active.
Many organizations are working to address these issues. For example, Major League Baseball offers free baseball and softball lessons to young fans. And most U.S. states require elementary students to take physical education.
Playing sports provides many benefits for kids. Regular physical activity helps keep bones, muscles, and joints healthy—and it also helps stimulate brain function. But that’s not all. Sports provide a sense of community too.
“Sports are just as much about playing with friends as they are about physical activity,” says Farrey.