Sportiness is next to Godliness

Exercising in some way every day is the key to a long and well-played life. A body not used is a body in decline—and a mind at risk. Here is why.

Early in life, even at just a few months old, children model their parents. Children’s imagery of healthy bodies, their understanding of food as fuel, and their growing definition of what a fit person is, is first shaped by their parents’ actions. Children and parents, no matter when they start, can initiate a daily exercise routine that they do together. If both prioritize finding a way to exercise, especially by playing a sport, the culture of activity as a pathway to joy, satisfaction, accomplishment, challenge, and endurance is established. It often lasts a lifetime.

Adolescence brings rapid growth and a range of interpersonal challenges. Children fixed to computer screens—with role models who influence rather than lead, who focus on style more than accomplishments—are a lure into decadence. This pattern continues through high school and into college. Where once team sports and athletic leadership were equal partners to academic accomplishment, today’s students are overwhelmed with digital temptations. A top volleyball coach relayed to us that she abandoned her career because athletes now compete more for NILS (name, image, and likeness) points than goals. The money involved, combined with the new open transfer portals that permit all college athletes to switch schools, makes it impossible to coach, recruit athletes, or build teams. Today’s coaches never know who is going to stay or leave, who cares more about the video of the play than the victory itself.

Work schedules in early, mid, and even late-career often start early and end late. They may even go all night long. The lack of exposure to sunshine and outdoor fresh air combines to diminish bone mass. Joints suffer, backs weaken, and muscles atrophy, as does the competitive spirit that team sports used to provide. Sports like golf or tennis, played just once a week without training and stretching sessions beforehand, lead to numerous back, shoulder, knee, and Achilles injuries. Pickleball has replaced CrossFit as the number one referral to our practice — not because it isn’t a great sport, but because its ballistic activities, loaded with sudden stops and starts, require a daily program of flexibility and muscle strengthening to avoid injury. Such a program should begin early in life and continue throughout.

So if you believe there is a god, respect the one inside you. If that partnership is strong, you can actively celebrate together forever.

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