[LUM#20] Arthur, age 11: "If I play sports, will I do better in school and at work?"
Arthur, 11 years old. Future choreographer.
We know that playing sports is good for our health. But it's also interesting to ask whether sports have other benefits. For example, am I considered better at school and work if I play sports? Of course, you don't have to play sports to be a good student, but researchers have conducted studies to answer this question. In terms of school, they found that in the United States, students who play sports are more likely to finish their studies, and on average, they also have better grades on their final diploma.
In terms of professional life, researchers have found that athletes looking for work are more likely to find a job than someone who does not play sports. Those who write in their resumes that they enjoy and practice sports are, on average, more likely to get the job they want. It is as if athletes are more interesting to their future employers because of their passion. To take this even further, studies have shown, especially in the United States, that athletes have access to better-paying jobs. The salaries of people who played sports in college and wrote this on their CVs can be up to 9% higher than those who never played sports. So, it's safe to say that companies love athletes! The question remains: why are athletes so popular when it comes to getting a job?
Several researchers have compiled a list of qualities that recruiters readily attribute to people who play sports: resilience under pressure, self-confidence, the ability to work well with others, and motivation. So, of course, playing sports is very good for your health, but it's also a great way to meet friends, feel good, and, if these results are to be believed, do better at school and work. However, it is important to note that playing sports is not a magic formula for success. These results were mainly obtained in the United States, and studies should be conducted in France to compare these two countries, where the culture surrounding sports is different. Even though playing sports has many advantages, studies should also be conducted on the benefits of other extracurricular activities, such as music, theater, etc., because not everyone is lucky enough to easily find and play a sport they enjoy!
Noémie Bobin – PhD student at the Center for Environmental Economics in Montpellier (CEE-M)
An article in partnership with The Conversation website.
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