EIB10103 – WRITING FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

PREPARED BY

NO. NAME NO. ID

1. AIDA HUSNA BINTI AWALLUDIN 62216123195

2. NUR AIN SURAYA BINTI MOHD NOH 62216123752

PREPARED FOR
MISS TAYANY
 The fact that most university students spend their time in front of their computers,

universities should make sports a compulsory module in all degree courses.

Sports is always beneficial, yet we don't get enough of it these days because of
the technological revolution. I wholeheartedly concur that in order to lower the
prevalence of obesity and other health issues, institutions should require students to
participate in some form of athletics. One study has found that participation in sports
reduces the risk of depression and suicidality among university students. In addition,
participation in team sports is associated with a lower risk of past-year attempts at
suicide compared to non-athletes (Richardson, 2022). The value of games and sports is
often overlooked by parents and children. Instead of participating in physical activities,
today's students would rather play video and internet games. This generation isn't doing
sports for long, which is not surprising given that it is making them more prone to
various health issues. However, kids can now outsource their homework to Halo Paper
so they can focus more on sports and other activities. I agree with the statement that
university should make sport a compulsory module in all degree courses. The benefits
of sports among student is stress relief, team building and balance lifestyle.

The benefits of physical activity to wellbeing are considerable. In fact, there is a

wealth of mental health data in sports that shows the beneficial relationship between
playing sports, especially team sports, and the prevention of depressive symptoms.
Sports help you manage stress. Playing sports can be used as a coping strategy to
assist students with the demands of their studies and enhance their mental well-being.
The stress level of college students is higher than the other age groups, which can
adversely affect their mental health. Stress is usually caused by academic pressures,
which can lead to terrible effects and further results in future failure. However, sports
has played a drastic role in reducing the students’ stress levels and increasing
happiness and psychological well-being (Judge, 2018). Youth who were involved in
school sports had lower depression symptoms, lower perceived stress, and better self-
rated mental health than those who did not play sports at all. This concluded that
playing sports at university protected young people from poor mental health four years
later.

Moreover, there is no denying the health advantages of participating in sports.

Playing sports on a regular basis helps with focus and academic performance in
addition to increasing physical fitness (Smith, 2019). Physically active students typically
have higher retention rates, grades, and chances of finishing their degree. Learning is
facilitated and brain function is stimulated by physical activity. In other words, exercise
enhances memory, attention, executive control, and processing speed, among other
aspects of cognitive functioning (Hillman et al., 2008). Both lifetime learning and
academic success depend on these cognitive abilities. Additionally, exercise improves
motivation and mood, which can have a favorable impact on students' persistence and
level of engagement in their academic work (Biddle and Asare, 2011). Numerous
studies have demonstrated that students who engage in physical education or sports
perform better academically than their peers who do not participate in these activities
(Trudeau and Shephard, 2008; Rasberry et al., 2011). For instance, aerobic exercise
significantly improved reading, math, and general academic performance, according to
a meta-analysis of 50 studies (Fedewa and Ahn, 2011). As a result, exercise has
positive effects on both health and education.

Additionally, sports help students develop their teamwork and social integration
skills (Johnson, 2020). It gives students a place to socialize, learn leadership and
collaboration skills, and cultivate a feeling of community. These soft skills are essential
for both professional and personal growth. To give an example, social skills like
communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and empathy are developed through
participation in sports and are crucial for establishing and preserving relationships (Eime
et al., 2013). Due to the fact that players and coaches have similar objectives, morals,
and life experiences, sports can also help students develop a feeling of identity and
belonging (Bailey et al., 2009). Additionally, playing sports can help students feel more
confident, self-assured, and self-sufficient, all of which can have a positive impact on
their academic and professional goals (Holt et al., 2017). Furthermore, according to
Larson et al. (2006), sports can impart to students’ important life lessons about
accountability, leadership, teamwork, and responsibility. As a result, athletics can aid in
students' social and emotional as well as physical development.

In conclusion, integrating sports into university curricula is critical for the overall
development of students. It promotes social skills, academic success, physical health,
and mental health issues simultaneously. Universities can guarantee that all students,
regardless of background, interests, or abilities, have access to the many advantages of
physical activity by mandating sports. Sports can also enhance and supplement the
academic programmed by giving students the chance to apply and improve their
knowledge and abilities in practical contexts. Furthermore, by giving students the skills
and qualities that employers highly value in a global workforce, sports can better
prepare them for the opportunities and challenges of the twenty-first century. Sports
should therefore be a required component of a university education because they help
people become successful, well-rounded, and healthy individuals.

REFERENCES

- Bailey, R., Hillman, C., Arent, S., & Petitpas, A. (2009). Physical activity: An
underestimated investment in human capital? *Journal of Physical Activity and Health,
6*(3), 264-272.

- Biddle, S. J., & Asare, M. (2011). Physical activity and mental health in children and
adolescents: A review of reviews. *British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45*(11), 886-895.

- Eime, R. M., Young, J. A., Harvey, J. T., Charity, M. J., & Payne, W. R. (2013). A
systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for
adults: Informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport.
*International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10*(1), 135.

- Fedewa, A. L., & Ahn, S. (2011). The effects of physical activity and physical fitness on
children's achievement and cognitive outcomes: A meta-analysis. *Research Quarterly
for Exercise and Sport, 82*(3), 521-535.
- Hillman, C. H., Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart:
Exercise effects on brain and cognition. *Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9*(1), 58-65.

- Holt, N. L., Neely, K. C., Slater, L. G., Camiré, M., Côté, J., Fraser-Thomas, J., ... &
Tamminen, K. A. (2017). A grounded theory of positive youth development through
sport based on results from a qualitative meta-study. *International Review of Sport and
Exercise Psychology, 10*(1), 1-49.

- Johnson, U. (2020). The role of sport in promoting social integration among university
students. *Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 44*(1), 3-25.

- Judge, L. W. (2018). The relationship between stress and coping strategies among
collegiate student athletes. *Journal of Contemporary Athletics, 12*(1), 1-14.

- Larson, R. W., Hansen, D. M., & Moneta, G. (2006). Differing profiles of developmental
experiences across types of organized youth activities. *Developmental Psychology,
42*(5), 849-863.

- Rasberry, C. N., Lee, S. M., Robin, L., Laris, B. A., Russell, L. A., Coyle, K. K., &
Nihiser, A. J. (2011). The association between school-based physical activity, including
physical education, and academic performance: A systematic review of the literature.
*Preventive Medicine, 52*, S10-S20.

- Smith, J. J. (2019). The impact of physical activity on academic achievement in

Australian adolescents. *Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 16*(2), 113-119.

- Trudeau, F., & Shephard, R. J. (2008). Physical education, school physical activity,
school sports and academic performance. *International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition
and Physical Activity, 5*(1), 10.