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@article{191931,
        author = {Nirmala Chandrasekaran and Anahitaa Bhimanand},
        title = {The Role of Sports in Youth Development: A Scoping Review},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {8552-8554},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=191931},
        abstract = {Sports participation among youth is widely recognized for its physical benefits, but its broader psychological, social, and cognitive impacts are often underexplored. This scoping review synthesizes recent literature on the multifaceted role of sports in youth development. Drawing on systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 2021 and 2025, we examine evidence related to mental health, emotional regulation, social skills, physical health, and decision-making. Findings indicate that youth sports contribute positively to long-term well-being, though methodological gaps remain. The review underscores the need for integrated support systems and further high-quality longitudinal research.},
        keywords = {mental well-being, physical health, psychological development, social development, scoping review, youth sports.},
        month = {January},
        }