A study from Finland shows that teenagers who are out of shape are at increased risk for having high blood pressure later in life (International Journal of Sports Medicine, Volume 26, 2005). In 1976, a group of teenagers ran 1.2 miles as fast as they could. Twenty-five years later, the faster runners had far lower blood pressures than the slower runners. The data was corrected for body fat, so weight gain would not explain the higher blood pressures in the slower runners. High blood pressure increases risk for death from heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, and diabetes.

The ability to run long distances fast depends on training, so the faster teenagers were in better shape than the slower runners, and fit teenagers are far more likely than out-of-shape teenagers to exercise in later life. If you exercise regularly when you are young, you will be more likely to continue exercising regularly when you are older which can prolong your life.

There are many other reasons to encourage your child to be active in sports. For example, college admissions officers look for students who excel in a specific skill or activity. A student who has an outstanding record in his or her sport will have an advantage over other students. Top athletes with average grades often are accepted at the finest universities.