THE IMPORTANCE OF ADULTS SPORTS

As we all know, it remains as important as ever to take care of ourselves mentally and physically, and for many that self care is done through various forms of fitness such as running or lifting. There are also some that find the thrill and passion of sports participation, competition, and teamwork is where the true joy comes from.

Most adults in the US, approximately 73% according to a 2015 study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, participated in sports when they were younger, yet only about 25% participate as adults. Time, money, and for some, lack of friends with common interests are among the many reasons holding people back from dusting off the cleats, and getting in the game. 

Many adults shift their passions for sports to watching their kids participate and note that benefits to their child’s participation are their physical health, giving something constructive to do, and keeping them socially engaged by being on a team. 

“Sports are a critical component of a healthy community. They help children and adults maintain a healthy weight, teach acceptance and teamwork, and expand opportunity for children living in poverty,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “we must continue to encourage children to play sports, but, just as important, we must find ways to keep adults engaged in sports in order to maintain health and well-being.”

In 2022 Airway Heights Parks & Recreation is encouraging the adults in our community to engage and participate in our Adult Sports offerings not only for the success of the program, but for the self care it provides towards creating community and quality of life. It also shows importance of participation in sports is a lifelong opportunity to the youth in our community. Having a younger generation watch their parents and community members participate in organized sports provides learning opportunities of sportsmanship and teamwork.

So if the desire to play is still burning inside you, here is a list of sports leagues you can expect to see this year: volleyball, basketball, soccer, flag football, softball, and cornhole. All sports offered will take place at the Airway Heights Recreation Center or Sunset Park, and operate on locally modified formats typically with smaller teams sizes, fields/courts, and teams per league. 

For more information on current and upcoming sports, getting registered, or becoming a Free Agent CLICK HERE .