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Late Bloomers | Boys
Research presented will paint a clear picture of what exactly classifies a late bloomer, the physiological implications of maturity in sport, the psychosocial effects of late bloomers and the implications for youth development leaders and coaches.
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Why Do Kids Play Sports?
In a comprehensive report produced by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency titled What Sport Means in America: A Study of Sport’s Role in Society, researchers conducted 8,943 surveys, from the general population, youth involved in National Governing Body (NGB) sports program, youth participating in community sports programs, coaches and parents. When asked why both youth and adults participate in sport, the overwhelming primary reason was because sport was fun. In fact, 81% of youth participating in local community
sports programs listed “fun” as the primary reason they started sports and 79% of youth in a higher level NGB program listed fun as their primary reason (Boxill, Glanville, & Murray, 2011).
Fun was the primary reason for beginning a new sport, but for NGB sports
programs, the most important values during competition were: “doing my best” (92%), “performing well” (83%) and “improving my skills” (82%). These came to the forefront moving the element of “fun” (82%) tied for the third most valued element. For community programs, fun remained as the overall valued element, followed by “doing my best” (Boxill et al., 2011).
When reviewing surveys of kids no longer playing sports, children who used to
participate in sport listed the top three reasons for no longer playing: “Playing sport was no longer fun anymore” (27%), “Found something else I liked to do better” (23%), and “Wasn’t as good at sport as other people my age” (21%) (Boxill et al., 2011).
In a separate study conducted by Scanlan and Lewthwaite (1986), they also found a high correlation between enjoyment of the sport and their desire for future participation in sport. More importantly, “The findings regarding the intrapersonal predictors of age and perceived ability demonstrated that younger children, and those who perceived themselves to be more able, experienced greater enjoyment than their counterparts” (Scanlan & Lewthwaite, 1986, p. 31).
Factors Effecting the Enjoyment of Sport
In a study conducted by Scanlan and Lewthwaite (1986), they also found a high correlation between enjoyment of the sport and their desire for future participation in sport.
Therefore, it may be concluded that the negative psychosocial effects listed previously due to late puberty may in fact lead to a lower self perception of one’s own ability and therefore minimize the
enjoyment experienced by those participants.
Fun and enjoyment is amongst the top reasons youth start and continue in a sport and lack of fun and enjoyment may be what leads to dropout from sporting program. Research by Scanlan and Lewthwaite (1986), have suggested that self perception and the perception of others may influence enjoyment greatly.
Brady (2004), found similar results to those of the research projects listed previously, he found that, “late maturers are particularly susceptible to developing a low perception of their abilities. During childhood, boys overwhelmingly identify athletic ability as a determinant of social status among their peers”(p. 38). Therefore, it may be concluded that the negative psychosocial effects listed previously due to late puberty may in fact lead to a lower self perception of one’s own ability and therefore minimize the
enjoyment experienced by those participants.
References
Boxill, J., Glanville, D., & Murray, T. (2011). What sport means in america: A study of sport's role in america. (). Colorado Springs, CO: U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Brady, F. (2004). Children's organized sports: A developmental perspective. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 75(2), 35-41.
Scanlan, T. K., & Lewthwaite, R. (1986). Social psychological aspects of competition for male youth sport participants: IV. predictors of enjoyment. Journal of Sport Psychology, 8(1), 25-35.