Sports and Child Development

TLDR

The role of curricular activities in shaping education, health, and behavior is well documented, yet the impact of extra‑curricular activities remains largely unexplored. The study investigates how participation in sports clubs influences children’s development. The authors use alternative datasets and flexible semi‑parametric panel‑based methods to correct for selection bias in sports participation. Participation in sports clubs improves school performance and peer relations, partly because it reduces engagement in passive leisure activities.

Abstract

The role of curricular activities for the formation of education, health and behavioural outcomes has been widely studied. Yet, the role of extra-curricular activities has received little attention. This study analyzes the effect of participation in sports clubs—one of the most popular extra-curricular activities among children. We use alternative datasets and flexible semi-parametric estimation methods with a specific way to use the panel dimension of the data to address selection into sports. We find positive and robust effects on children's school performance and peer relations. Crowding out of passive leisure activities can partially explain the effects.