Building Resiliency Through Sports

During Luke Pierce’s first competitive bike race at age 15, he fell on the first lap. Despite the shock, he got back up, dusted himself off, and finished the race. In his second race, he encountered another challenge—a flat tire. Determined, he quickly fixed it and continued, finishing second to last. Understandably, Luke hesitated before entering a third race, but he pushed forward and completed it without incident.

“I was super proud of him—that during difficult and fast-paced moments, he was able to make a plan, recover the best he could, and keep going,” says his mother, Shelley Brimhall Pierce (BS ’99).

Shelley and her husband, Jason L. Pierce (BS ’99, MBA ’03), have always encouraged their four children—Luke (now 16), 12-year-old twins Izzy and MJ, and 7-year-old Melissa—to participate in sports. Their instinct that sports help children thrive is now supported by research from BYU.

The Role of Sports in Building Resilience

A study conducted by BYU researchers Paul Caldarella and Jason E. Johnson (BS ’04, EdS ’15) confirms that sports participation fosters resilience in high schoolers in several significant ways. It enhances mental toughness, instills determination, builds positive habits, improves emotional well-being, and strengthens peer relationships.

“Resilience is the ability to positively overcome or recover from adversity or stress,” explains Caldarella, a professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education. Key traits of resilience include self-regulation, empathy, and social competence—all of which are nurtured through sports.

In a survey of 276 parents, researchers found that the 214 students who participated in sports exhibited higher resilience traits than the 62 who did not.

Learning Through Teamwork and Adversity

Being part of a team teaches teenagers to persevere through setbacks such as losses, injuries, and criticism. It fosters cooperation and instills the value of contributing to a group’s success. Teens learn grace in both victory and defeat.

“Some parents try to shield their children from challenges and disappointment, but this is often counterproductive,” says coauthor Jared S. Warren (BS ’96), an associate professor of psychology. “Resilience is built by working through challenges.”

Melissa Conklin Heath (BS ’75), another coauthor from the Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, shares how her daughter’s participation in high school swimming improved her well-being by connecting her with a positive peer group and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Heath herself experienced similar growth while competing in track, learning confidence through new challenges like discus throwing.

Interestingly, the study found that recreational sports had a greater impact on social competence and empathy than competitive high school sports. Researchers attribute this to a lower emphasis on winning and greater flexibility in participation.

Encouraging Sports Participation

Not every child is naturally drawn to sports, but exposure and positive experiences can ignite interest. The Pierces’ youngest, Melissa, wanted to follow in her older sisters’ footsteps by playing soccer. However, when game time arrived, she often refused to play.

“Sometimes we’ve gone to one of her games just to cheer for the team while she sits next to us with a sour face,” says Shelley. “Bribing her has worked a few times. While it’s not my favorite strategy, I see it as a win-win because it gets her to play, giving her another opportunity to learn and grow.”

The researchers advise parents to gently encourage but never force children into sports. Caldarella notes that other activities, such as music, art, or drama, can provide similar resilience-building benefits.

The Pierces allow their children to explore different sports, and their household is a hub of athletic activity. Luke competes in mountain biking, basketball, soccer, baseball, and tennis. The twins play soccer and T-ball. The entire family enjoys skiing and pickleball. Research suggests that playing multiple sports further enhances resilience.

Over coming Parental Concerns

Some parents worry about the risks associated with sports, including injuries, stress, and disappointment. The study acknowledges these challenges but emphasizes that parental support can help children navigate them effectively.

“Parents can help youth by fostering a growth mindset, encouraging active coping strategies, and emphasizing effort over outcomes,” says Warren.

Shelley Pierce admits that enrolling her children in sports felt like a gamble—what if they performed poorly or felt discouraged? But her fears were never realized.

“They may not have enjoyed every moment, but they had fun and learned something valuable,” she reflects. “Each of my children has grown through sports, and so have I as a parent.”

A Lifelong Impact

The researchers hope their findings encourage parents to view sports as more than just a stepping stone for future careers. Beyond competition, sports equip teens with skills that help them handle challenges like peer pressure, bullying, anxiety, and depression.

“Resilience can’t develop without adversity,” says Warren. “Sports provide real-world challenges that help teens build resilience—not just for adolescence, but for life.”

Dos and Don’ts for Parents

The researchers offer these recommendations for fostering resilience through sports:

Do:

• Offer a variety of sports options.
• Encourage commitment to a team while allowing freedom to stop after fulfilling obligations.
• Discuss lessons learned from sports experiences.

Don’t:

• Force children into sports—help them find other ways to build resilience if needed.
• Dismiss the disappointment of losing or not making a team—help children process their emotions.

Sports provide more than just physical benefits—they cultivate resilience, confidence, and valuable life skills. With the right approach, parents can help their children grow stronger through sports, preparing them for success both on and off the field.

 Article By M. Sue Bergin (BA ’78) in the Winter 2020 Issue