Intervention and training in young athletes

HERNÁNDEZ MENDO, A.; GONZÁLEZ HERNÁNDEZ, J.; RAIMUNDI, M.J.; REIGAL, R.

The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Volume 2: Applied and Practical Measures

Routledge

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2020; p. 389 - 410

A classic theme in Sport Psychology and physical activity is the one related to the benefits of practicing sport for children and adolescents. It is well known that sport and physical activity constitute contexts for the development of cognitive, psychological and social benefits. Likewise, through sport you can develop strengths of character, values and aspects related to the moral development of children and adolescents, of great importance for the life of the people. It is assumed that sport can generate a context in which children and adolescents can learn life skills and various positive attributes that facilitate development, both inside and outside of sports environments. However, participation in sport does not guarantee the development of positive characteristics in children and adolescents. Evidence indicates that adult leadership is the key factor in maximizing positive effects. Therefore, this chapter will address, first, some of the cognitive, psychological and social benefits that can be gained through the practice of sport, as well as some risks that may also arise from it. Secondly, different intervention programs in grassroots sport for young sportsmen and sportswomen, coaches and parents will be addressed. Coaches and parents are key socializing figures that influences on the quality of experience in sport. Their influence in the transmission of values and in moral development, their impact in emotional and affective responses, in motivation and involvement but also in representing sources of stress, burnout or drop out has been shown all around the world with different children and adolescents. All interventions seek to promote values, educating through sport and prioritizing the experience of sport as a socializing experience and psychosocially healthy action.