Extracurricular activities for physical activity
Extracurricular sports or after school athletic activities provide opportunities for children and adolescents to play soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, volleyball, football, basketball, and various other sports at beginner, intermediate, and competitive levels. Activities are offered at differing skill levels to encourage participation regardless of skill. Before and after school programs can also include physical activity components such as dance, fitness breaks, or physically active games, often as part of healthy out-of-school time initiatives.
Note: Some research on the effectiveness of extracurricular activities for physical activity for children has focused on body mass index (BMI) or obesity rate outcomes, which have a problematic history. This evidence summary does not focus on research on those outcomes. Weight-focused research and healthcare practice have relied on weight and BMI as a proxy for health, however, research has identified other components of health that are more important to measure to predict an individual’s risk of mortality, chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, and other leading causes of death and disability.
What could this strategy improve?
Expected Benefits
Our evidence rating is based on the likelihood of achieving these outcomes:
Increased physical activity
Potential Benefits
Our evidence rating is not based on these outcomes, but these benefits may also be possible:
Improved physical fitness
Increased academic achievement
Reduced arrests
Reduced teen pregnancy
What does the research say about effectiveness?
There is some evidence that increasing access to extracurricular sports, athletic activities, and active after school programs increases children’s physical activity during leisure time, especially when offered as part of a multi-component physical activity promotion program1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects.
Participation in extracurricular sports and activities is associated with higher physical activity levels for children and adolescents3, 5. Participation in at least three hours of sports per week appears to increase physical activity levels and fitness for boys4, 9.
Overall, physical activity interventions during school hours have been shown to increase the duration of participants’ physical activity and reduce time spent watching television. Such interventions can also increase physical activity rates in some circumstances. However, additional evidence is needed to confirm effects of such interventions on physical activity during out of school time10.
Extracurricular physical activity programs are also positively associated with strong academic performance11, low juvenile arrest rates, and low teen birth rates12. A Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) can include physical activity programming outside of the school day which may contribute to improvements in students’ math and reading scores13.
Experts suggest increasing the frequency of extracurricular activities offered may increase participants’ overall physical activity. Tailoring activities can engage girls at levels nearly equal to boys, as well as engage students with lower levels of physical activity14.
How could this strategy advance health equity? This strategy is rated potential to decrease disparities: suggested by expert opinion.
Experts suggest that extracurricular activities for physical activity implemented in neighborhoods and schools that have experienced systemic disinvestment have the potential to reduce disparities in physical activity levels and health outcomes among children by income, race, and ethnicity29, 30, 31. Available research and reports show children do not have equitable access to extracurricular activities for physical activity and that program quality varies29, 32. There are more high-quality programs and opportunities for students from higher income backgrounds and white students than for students with lower income backgrounds and students of color29, 31, 32. Available data suggests that Black and Hispanic children have lower levels of participation in extracurricular activities than white children31. Children with a college-educated parent also have higher participation rates in extracurricular activities than children whose parents did not graduate from college31. Interviews suggest that parents support children’s participation in out-of-school time activities for physical activity; however, cost and enrollment barriers often prevent participation29. Parent interviews suggest programs may increase participation among children from low income backgrounds, children of color, and children from immigrant families by making efforts to increase outreach, reduce costs, improve the enrollment process, increase and promote program quality, provide staff and volunteer training, improve safety, engage families, and address language barriers29, 32.
One report in King County, Washington suggests that fewer than 22% of boys and 16% of girls are meeting the federal guidelines for physical activity set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention32. Some studies suggest that extracurricular activities for physical activity are more successful at increasing physical activity levels for boys; however, gender effects are inconsistent and tailored interventions appear to be equally successful among boys and girls9, 14. Participation in extracurricular activities for physical activities among girls increased significantly after Congress passed Title IX in 1972, increasing access for girls to equal opportunities in extracurricular activities and reducing the previously persistent gender gap31. One small case study interviewed adolescent girls living in lower income neighborhoods who participated in exercise activities before school; these girls reported that participating increased their self-confidence, attendance, and improved their social networks and perceptions of school climate33.
Research suggests that physical activity differences between children living in rural areas and urban areas are inconsistent, which reflects the complexity of communities in both rural and urban areas30.
What is the relevant historical background?
A 2024 report from the Physical Activity Alliance shows racial/ethnic and disability disparities in physical activity participation among U.S. children, including overall physical activity, sports participation, and daily physical education attendance, suggesting unequal access to environmental resources that support active play34, 35. Environmental factors contributing to low levels of physical activity among urban Black and Hispanic children from families with low incomes include: 1. lack of access to safe and proper spaces for outdoor play (e.g., parks, sports fields, playgrounds), 2. unsafe neighborhoods, 3. living in apartment buildings where children are required to engage in sedentary and quiet activities, and 4. the absence of affordable, organized, and structured physical activity programs in their communities36. Black and Asian children are more likely to attend schools that offer fewer classes or less time for physical activity, which is tied to school funding and investment in recreational facilities and equipment35. An income-based gap in participation in extracurricular activities has existed in the U.S. since the 1970s or earlier31. Budget cuts and changing political views have continued to move many services once provided in school, including many extracurricular activities, sports, and athletic clubs, out of schools and into the private sector, which increases disparities in access to these services and activities based on family income and ability to pay-to-play31.
Several reports have shown that the 2008 recession caused steep declines in state public school funding, and these funding cuts disproportionately reduced budgets for high poverty school districts37 and districts serving larger populations of English language learners38. As of 2014, 31 states were providing less funding for public schools than they provided in 200837. The COVID-19 pandemic also changed poverty rates, altered student enrollments, and complicated state education budget estimates, which in many cases has resulted in proposed state funding cuts that disproportionately affect school districts serving communities with low incomes39.
Equity Considerations
- What is the staffing and physical environment for out-of-school time physical activity extracurriculars like in your school/school district/state? Who does not have access to quality extracurricular activities for physical activity?
- Does legislation provide funding and other support for implementation of healthy out-of-school time activities?
- Who usually leads planning and implementation for extracurricular activities for physical activity? How does your school/school district engage community residents in planning?
Implementation Examples
Efforts to increase extracurricular physical activities for youth can be part of broad community initiatives that encompass policy, systems, and environmental changes, as in Hamilton County, OH15 or programmatic efforts, as in the YMCA Afterschool Food and Fitness Project7. Extracurricular activities, sports leagues, or active after school programs can be run by schools, non-profit organizations, local YMCA or JCC chapters, or parks and recreation departments16, 17, 18, 19.
Many national non-profits provide resources and tools to encourage after school programs to adopt healthy out-of-school time practices, including increased opportunities for physical activity, for example the National Institute on Out-of-School Time20, Healthy Kids Out of School21, and the Bright Futures child health promotion initiative22. Building Healthy Communities makes programming for increasing students’ healthy eating and physical activity available to all public, charter, and private nonprofit schools in Michigan23.
The I Can Do It program encourages inclusive physical activity programming during and outside of school time for students with disabilities. In 2019, the program’s first year, it was implemented in Arizona, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.; and it expanded to an additional 20 states in the second year24. The Girls on the Run program started in 1996 and after 30 years has reached over 2.8 million girls with 160 council locations across the country25.
Professional sports leagues have also developed youth programs and initiatives to increase extracurricular physical activities and sports participation, for example Major League Baseball26, the National Football League27, and the National Basketball Association28.
Implementation Resources
‡ Resources with a focus on equity.
AFHG-OST - Alliance for a Healthier Generation (AFHG). Out-of-School Time.
HOST-PA - Healthy Out-of-School Time (HOST) Coalition. Resources: Physical activity (PA).
LHC-Rockeymoore 2014 - Rockeymoore M, Moscetti C, Fountain A. Rural childhood obesity prevention toolkit. Leadership for Healthy Communities (LHC), Center for Global Policy Solutions, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; 2014.
WeThrive-Toolbox - WeThrive!, Hamilton County Public Health. Toolbox and resources used as part of the WeThrive! initiative.
Footnotes
* Journal subscription may be required for access.
1 Verstraete 2007 - Verstraete SJM, Cardon GM, De Clercq DLR, De Bourdeaudhuij IMM. A comprehensive physical activity promotion programme at elementary school: The effects on physical activity, physical fitness and psychosocial correlates of physical activity. Public Health Nutrition. 2007;10(5):477–84.
2 Wolch 2011 - Wolch J, Jerrett M, Reynolds K, et al. Childhood obesity and proximity to urban parks and recreational resources: A longitudinal cohort study. Health & Place. 2011;17(1):207-14.
3 Lubans 2008 - Lubans D, Morgan P. Evaluation of an extra-curricular school sport programme promoting lifestyle and lifetime activity for adolescents. Journal of Sports Sciences. 2008;26(5):519–29.
4 Ara 2006 - Ara I, Vicente-Rodriguez G, Perez-Gomez J, et al. Influence of extracurricular sport activities on body composition and physical fitness in boys: A 3-year longitudinal study. International Journal of Obesity. 2006;30(7):1062–71.
5 CFLRI-Cameron 2005 - Cameron C, Wolfe R, Craig C. Physical activity and sport: Encouraging children to be active. Ottawa, CAN: Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI); 2005.
6 Beets 2013 - Beets MW, Huberty J, Beighle A. Systematic observation of physical activity in afterschool programs: Preliminary findings from Movin' Afterschool intervention. Journal of Physical Activity & Health. 2013;10(7):974-981.
7 Harvard-YMCA afterschool - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity: Food and Fun Afterschool curriculum and program. President and Fellows of Harvard College and YMCA of the USA. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
8 Barr-Anderson 2014 - Barr-Anderson DJ, Singleton C, Cotwright CJ, Floyd MF, Affuso O. Outside-of-school time obesity prevention and treatment interventions in African American youth. Obesity Reviews. 2014;15(4):26-45.
9 Jago 2014 - Jago R, Sebire SJ, Davies B, et al. Randomised feasibility trial of a teaching assistant led extracurricular physical activity intervention for 9 to 11 year olds: Action 3:30. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2014;11:114.
10 Cochrane-Dobbins 2013 - Dobbins M, Husson H, DeCorby K, LaRocca RL. School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(2):CD007651.
11 CDC-School PA 2010 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (U.S. DHHS); 2010.
12 Cohen 2007 - Cohen DA, Taylor SL, Zonta M, Vestal KD, Schuster MA. Availability of high school extracurricular sports programs and high-risk behaviors. Journal of School Health. 2007;77(2):80–6.
13 Somers 2016 - Somers CL, Centeio EE, Kulik N, et al. Academic and psychosocial outcomes of a physical activity program with fourth graders: Variations among schools in six urban school districts. Urban Education. 2019;54(9):1349-1369.
14 Jago 2019 - Jago R, Tibbitts B, Sanderson E, et al. Action 3:30R: Results of a cluster randomised feasibility study of a revised teaching assistant-led extracurricular physical activity intervention for 8 to 10 year olds. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019;16(1):1-15.
15 WeThrive-Community wellness - WeThrive!, Hamilton County Public Health. WeThrive! Community wellness in action.
16 US ED-21st Century CLC - U.S. Department of Education (U.S. ED). Nita M. Lowey 21st Century community learning centers (CLC).
17 YMCA-Sports - Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA). Swim, sports & play.
18 JCC-Fitness - Jewish Community Center Association (JCC), DiscoverJCC.com. Programs and services at JCCs of North America: Health & fitness.
19 NRPA-Recreation and health - National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Recreation and health.
20 NIOST-Healthy OST - National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST), The Y (YMCA), University of Massachusetts Boston College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Healthy out-of-school time (OST).
21 Healthy Kids-OST - Healthy Kids Out of School, Child Obesity 180, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
22 Bright Futures-Extracurricular PA - Bright Futures at Georgetown University. Bright Futures in practice: Physical activity tool D: Characteristics of excellent physical activity programs for children and adolescents.
23 MI-BHC - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Building Healthy Communities Program.
24 I Can Do It - Greenberg, J. (2019, July 15). I Can Do It! A strategic physical activity program for students with disabilities. Shape America. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
25 GOTR - Girls on the Run (GOTR). (n.d.). Girls on the Run: Spark her limitless potential. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
26 MLB-Youth programs - Major League Baseball. MLB youth baseball programs and initiatives.
27 NFL-Play 60 - National Football League (NFL), National Dairy Council (NDC). Fuel up to Play 60 & Play 60.
28 NBA-Total health - National Basketball Association. (n.d.). NBA Total health: Make your move for total health: Strengthen your physical and mental health, and overall vitality, with tips and assists from the NBA and its health and community partners. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
29 La Charite 2025 - La Charite, J., Santoro, M., Flores, C., Hurtado, A., Lum, M., Castellon-Lopez, Y., & Dudovitz, R. (2025). Enhancing equity in access and quality of youth out-of-school-time recreational activities: Perspectives from primary caregivers and parents in under-resourced urban communities using semi-structured interviews. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 29(11), 1593–1609.
30 Von Seggern 2025 - Von Seggern, M. J., Schenkelberg, M. A., Rogers, A. E., Kellstedt, D. K., High, R., Welk, G. J., Rosenkranz, R. R., & Dzewaltowski, D. A. (2025). Sociodemographic influences on children’s out-of-school time organized activity participation and physical activity in rural communities: A cross-sectional study. PLOS One, 20(5), e0324560.
31 Meier 2018 - Meier, A., Hartmann, B. S., & Larson, R. (2018). A quarter century of participation in school-based extracurricular activities: Inequalities by race, class, gender and age? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(6), 1299–1316.
32 Aspen 2019 - The Aspen Institute. (2019). State of play Seattle-King County: Analysis and recommendations. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
33 White 2025 - White, R. L., Sherson, J., Young, C., & Noon, T. (2025). The value of an informal before‐school exercise opportunity for adolescent girls living in a low‐socioeconomic community. Journal of School Health, 95(2), 142–152.
34 PAA 2024 - The Physical Activity Alliance (PAA). (2024). The 2024 US report card on physical activity for children and youth.
35 Hasson 2025 - Hasson, R. E. (2025). Unequal play: Understanding and overcoming disparities in children’s physical activity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Advance online publication.
36 Chang 2017 - Chang, S. H., & Kim, K. (2017). A review of factors limiting physical activity among young children from low-income families. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 13(4), 375–377.
37 Baker 2016 - Baker B, Weber M. Beyond the echo-chamber: State investments and student outcomes in U.S. elementary and secondary education. Journal of Education Finance. 2016;42(1):1-27.
38 Baker 2020a - Baker BD, Srikanth A, Green PC III, Cotto R. School funding disparities and the plight of Latinx children. Education Policy Analysis Archives. 2020;28(135).
39 Urban-Blagg 2021 - Blagg K, Gutierrez E, Lee V. How COVID-19-Induced changes to K-12 enrollment and poverty might affect school funding. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute: 2021.
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