A recent study conducted in Chennai has revealed that pre-teen students who engage in high-intensity outdoor sports, such as football, exhibit significantly higher levels of self-esteem and self-competence. The research also indicates a correlation between such activities and improved sleep cycles and healthier dietary practices among children aged 10 to 13.
The psychosocial impact assessment study, a pilot project involving 240 students from five government schools in Chennai, was undertaken by the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) in collaboration with Latentview and the Bengaluru-based Sports Village Foundation. The seven-month study, spanning from July 2025 to February 2026, aimed to evaluate the effects of structured sports programs on young adolescents.
Information was available with The Chenab Times regarding the study’s methodology. Students were divided into two groups of 120 each. One group participated in the ‘Chennai Kaalpandhu League’ (CKL) program, which included daily football training by specialized coaches in addition to regular physical education. The control group received only the standard physical education curriculum in their schools.
Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted with parental consent. The baseline assessment took place between July 27 and August 25, 2025, with the endline assessment conducted from February 9 to 18, 2026. Comparisons of scores revealed notable changes, particularly within the CKL group.
The study observed a marked increase in self-esteem among CKL group students, with scores rising from a baseline average of 14.29 to an endline score of 14.85 over a five-month period. This increase was measured using the widely recognized Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Conversely, the non-CKL group experienced a slight decrease in their self-esteem scores during the same period.
Beyond self-esteem, the study also highlighted improvements in self-competence levels within the CKL group, mirroring the positive trend in self-esteem. Furthermore, participation in organized sports appeared to reduce hyperactivity among these students. The study also noted that students involved in the CKL program spent fewer hours engaged with television and mobile screens, suggesting a positive shift in lifestyle habits.
Priscilla Sathianathan, Chair of the Centre of Excellence in Health Psychology at MSSW and the principal investigator of the study, remarked on the observable differences in the students’ conduct. “The confidence levels were so high, and it also reflected in their dietary habits,” she stated, indicating that the enhanced self-assurance translated into other aspects of the participants’ lives.
While the specific results of this Chennai-based study are yet to be formally published, the preliminary findings align with a broader body of research indicating the significant psychological and lifestyle benefits of sports participation for young individuals. Numerous studies have established a strong link between physical activity, particularly in organized sports, and improved mental health outcomes, including higher self-esteem, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and better overall well-being. The positive impact on lifestyle factors such as sleep and diet further underscores the holistic benefits of encouraging pre-teens to engage in high-intensity outdoor sports.
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