The Pandemic’s Dramatic Effect on Young Athletes

The youth are hurting and struggling as much as the rest of us, and it’s harder for them to accept the current circumstances

The Pandemic took so much from us. It canceled graduations, weddings, concerts, vacations, family trips, and so much more.

We’re all hurting. This isn’t the way of life. We shouldn’t feel trapped inside with nothing to look forward to. It’s shitty, but that’s how life is sometimes.

Children are supposed to be living the best time of their lives right now. They should be in school passing notes, trying out for sports teams, and making memories like the rest of us did.

Canceled sports impacts the youth in ways we won’t understand unless we first-hand see our own kids or know someone who’s kids are going through it.

Sports medicine specialist, Kyle Yost sat down for an interview with The University of Maryland Medical Center and gave us some insight on how the Pandemic affects the youth.

Here are three crucial takeaways from the interview.

The Psychological Effects of Sports Cancellation

High school kids are impacted in a multitude of ways; they are undergoing hormonal changes and use sports as a way to help reduce stress and control anxiety and depression.

— Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Kyle Yost

When we were kids, our bodies were changing and it felt overwhelming at times. We suddenly realized that we were no longer kids. It can be an incredibly stressful time so what do we turn to?

We turned to sports, video games, going out with our friends and so much more. Us adults didn’t have to deal with a Pandemic and the cancellation of sports.

It’s incredibly challenging for a kid to understand what’s going on in the world with a Pandemic the same way that I couldn’t understand what 9/11 was about in Kindergarten.

Some things we’ll just never understand. But we need a way to cope with anxiety, depression, and stress. Sports was that one thing, but now it’s on pause.

My heart goes out to the kids who no longer have that outlet.

How Parents React to the Situation Their Kids are In

They have responded well to encourage their kids to keep learning and still exercising and seeing friends over virtual platforms.

— Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Kyle Yost

Being a kid is hard. They want closure and all of the answers immediately. Can you blame them? I would love to know when this Pandemic is over, but I just have to wait. We all do.

If you’re a parent, then you may have tried some of the tactics D.O. Yost recommended such as learning, exercising, and seeing friends over virtual platforms.

Everything that can distract us from the current circumstances such as social distancing and the cancellation of sports can only go so far.

Current times are not the same exercising as it is going to practice with your buddies and playing games under Friday night lights.

Parents have to be there for their kids. The kids need reassurance and guidance on how to carry on through such tough times. We’re all in this together.

How Children Are Responding to The Pandemic

I have noticed that families are using this time to spend together, often by getting outside. You will see parents playing catch with their kids in the backyard, families going for walks and other activities together.

— Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Kyle Yost

If there’s at least one positive takeaway from the cancellation of sports, it’s that kids are spending more quality time with their families.

The time that would have been spent with other kids is now being spent with the family that will be there for them no matter what.

For example, I rarely ever speak to anyone I played sports with from childhood, but I do stay in contact with my loving and caring family.

It’s beautiful to see more kids get to spend time with their families. It must be hard for parents to let their kids go out and do their own thing because they’d much rather have all the time in the world with them.

There are many cons to the cancellation of sports such as increased levels of stress, missed opportunities, potential scholarships, and memories.

But more time with family and loved ones is something these kids will never get back.

Takeaway

The COVID-19 Pandemic has challenged each and every one of us to be more resilient. The youth will look back at this time and appreciate how much stronger it made them.

• The psychological effects of sports cancellation take away a key outlet that so many kids use to overcome stressful situations.
• Parents are the youth’s most valuable resource and sense of reassurance during this tough time. They deserve more credit than they receive.
• Children are forced to take guidance from their parents and continue to learn, exercise, and stay active throughout all the restrictions.

The student-athletes of the COVID-19 Pandemic will appreciate the extra time they got to spend with family.

And most of all, they’ll be glad that it prepared them for the unknown adversity that happens in the real world.

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