Winning Attitude on the Field Translates to Career Success
The researchers found that people who played a varsity high school sport are viewed as having more self-confidence and leadership skills than those who took part in other high school activities.
Former varsity athletes were also much more likely to be involved in volunteerism and charitable activities, according to the study published online in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies.
"Participation in competitive youth sports 'spills over' to occupationally advantageous traits that persist across a person's life," lead researcher Kevin Kniffin, a postdoctoral research associate at Cornell University's Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, said in a university news release.
"In our study of late-career workers, those who earned a varsity letter more than 50 years ago do demonstrate these characteristics more than others -- plus, they donate time and money more frequently than others and possessed great prosocial behavior in their 70s, 80s and 90s," Kniffin said.
More information
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers sports safety tips for young athletes.
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Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
