A new report has found that physically active girls are happier and more resilient than those who are not physically active. The findings which include responses from more than 25,700 primary and secondary aged children across a two-year period have been revealed by national children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust.
More active girls showed higher levels of the qualities associated with wellbeing which are self-belief, confidence, resilience, happiness and empathy. The largest difference was seen in girls’ resilience. Over three quarters (77%) of more active girls said they were resilient compared to under half (46%) of less active girls.
The research is taken from the Youth Sport Trust’s Girls Active programme run in partnership with Women in Sport, This Girl Can, with funding from Sport England National Lottery. It also found that more active girls were happier with 75% stating so compared to 55% of less active girls.