Team Sports Crush Solo Training for Kids' Mental Health—Here's the Proof

Here's a number that should stop you in your tracks: in a study of over 11,000 kids, team sport participation was linked to a 19% lower withdrawn/depressed score, while individual sport participants showed a 16% higher anxiety/depression score (ABCD Study, National Institutes of Health). That's not a typo. The same data set that shows team sports helping also shows solo sports seemingly doing the opposite. If you're a parent, coach, or trainer deciding between signing a kid up for a team or a solo sport, this is the most important stat you'll read all year.

I'm not here to trash individual sports. I've coached both. But the evidence is stacking up so heavily in favor of teams that ignoring it is almost malpractice. Let's break it down head-to-head.

The mental health gap: teams win, and it's not close

Look at the numbers from the ABCD Study: team sport kids scored 19% lower on withdrawn/depressed symptoms and 17% lower on social problems, while individual sport kids scored 16% higher on anxiety/depression. That's a 35-point swing on depression alone. Meanwhile, a Swedish study of nearly 16,400 children found that organized sports participation lowered the risk of a first-time mental health diagnosis by 23% for boys and 12% for girls (Lundgren et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025). And for depression specifically, organized sports cut risk by 35% for boys and 11% for girls.

Why? Researchers point to belongingness, supportive peers, friendship formation, shared responsibility, and collaborative goals—factors that are largely absent in solo training (ABCD Study). When you're on a team, you're not just exercising; you're part of a social unit. That's the mechanism.

Physical activity: teams still edge out solo

One could argue that solo sports like swimming or tennis give you more focused physical output. But a meta-analysis of 46 longitudinal studies found that youth sport participants had higher physical activity (d = 0.24) and better overall health and wellbeing (d = 0.23) compared to nonparticipants (Int J Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity, 2025). That's not team vs. solo, but it shows that organized sport in general is good. However, when you add the mental health angle, teams pull ahead.

Plus, think about adherence. The WHO says 80% of adolescents don't meet recommended physical activity levels (WHO Physical Activity Fact Sheet). Teams create a built-in reason to show up—your teammates are counting on you. Solo training? You can skip it and nobody cares. That's a huge practical advantage.

Cost and access: the dirty secret of solo sports

Now, let's talk money. Youth sports costs have grown about 46% since 2019 (Aspen Institute Project Play, State of Play 2025). But here's the thing: team sports, especially through school or community leagues, can be far cheaper than solo sports like gymnastics, swimming, or tennis, which often require private coaching and facility fees. The Aspen Institute also notes significant access gaps between upper- and lower-income homes. If you're on a budget, a local soccer or basketball team is often the most affordable way to get your kid moving.

And participation data backs the team route: in 2023, 39.8% of U.S. kids aged 6-17 regularly played a team sport, the highest rate since 2015 (Aspen Institute, State of Play 2024). Girls' participation in particular hit recent highs. So there's a thriving ecosystem for teams.

Specialization: don't let your kid go solo too early

Here's a trend that worries me: kids are specializing more. The average number of sports kids regularly played in 2023 was 1.63, down 13% since 2019 (Aspen Institute, State of Play 2024). That means more kids are focusing on one sport, often an individual one, at a younger age. But the data says that's a mistake for mental health. The sustained team sport participants in the ABCD study reported lower stress and better coping in young adulthood. The social fabric of a team is protective.

So my advice: unless your kid is a prodigy with a burning passion for a solo sport, sign them up for a team. If they're already in a solo sport, add a team sport on the side. You'll get the physical benefits plus the mental health boost.

Team Sports vs. Solo Training: Head-to-Head

What I'd actually do

If you have a kid aged 6-17, put them in a team sport. Full stop. The evidence is overwhelming. The ABCD Study alone is enough. If they're already in a solo sport, keep it, but add one team practice a week. Don't let specialization rob them of the mental health benefits of team belonging. And if cost is an issue, look into local rec leagues or school teams—they're often the cheapest option. The 63X30 initiative is pushing to get 63% of kids in organized sports by 2030 (Aspen Institute), and for good reason. Your kid's brain will thank you.

Sources

• Int J Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity (2025) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40598359/
• ABCD Study (National Institutes of Health) - https://abcdstudy.org/
• Lundgren et al. (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2025) - https://bjsm.bmj.com/
• WHO (Physical Activity Fact Sheet) - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
• Aspen Institute Project Play (State of Play 2024) - https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2024
• Aspen Institute Project Play (State of Play 2025) - https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2025