Sport leadership

Abstract

A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019
revealed that the majority of teenagers do not engage in
sufficient physical activity, which can negatively impact their
physical and mental health in adulthood. This issue is also
observed in universities, where few students participate in
any sports.
The current environment is highly competitive and challenging,
especially for young people, who play a crucial role in shaping
a sustainable and equitable future. Similarly, the pandemic
has exposed weaknesses in social structures and emphasized
the need for leaders with resilience, adaptability, and
strong social and communication skills.
To explore leadership development in teenagers, a quantitative
study was conducted with three groups: representative
sports teams, those involved in co-curricular sports, and teenagers
with no sports involvement. Resilience, adaptability, social
skills, and assertive communication were evaluated.
The results showed that athletes in representative sports
teams had better leadership development, and a positive relationship
was found between training time and more developed
leadership skills.
In summary, the lack of exercise in teenagers is a global
issue with potential long-term consequences. Participation
in sports, especially at the representative level, enhances
the development of resilience, adaptability, social skills, and
assertive communication, highlighting the importance of promoting
these activities for the holistic growth of young individuals.