Team sport is a form of play wherein teammates interact directly and simultaneously to achieve an objective. The objective usually involves teammates facilitating the movement of a ball or similar object in accordance with a set of rules, in order to score points. This type of sport often requires careful strategic planning, good preparation and a high level of mental and physical toughness of each player.
The inherent demand to cooperate while competing in team sports is also more pronounced than in individual sports. This is because in team sports the athletes are permanently situated in co-opetition (i.e., competition with teammates for starting positions and other status-related resources). This co-opetition is even more pronounced in team events such as relay races, where cooperation is essential for performance enhancements and winning against other teams.
In addition, playing team sports can teach young people about important life skills. They can help them learn how to make friends and build self-esteem. They can also learn how to be a good role model, especially when they have positive sports mentors. This can help them in their daily lives, as they will be able to be more supportive and understanding of others.
While there is considerable interest in the effectiveness of interventions to promote team sport participation among girls, there is a lack of empirical evidence. This article aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic review of the research literature on the effects of such interventions.