Practice and participation in athletics often makes children more adept at sports on the field, but now a study reports that this also might help them in the classroom.

"There has been a debate about the importance of children's free time activities," said Susan McHale, professor of human development and family studies. "Some people think children are stressed by too many demands on their time and that extracurricular activities take away from academic learning. Some people think children develop important competencies and social relationships by participating in free-time activities. We found evidence for the latter view."

McHale and her colleagues Ann Crouter, professor of human development and family studies, and Corinna Tucker, professor at the University of New Hampshire, conducted a study to determine whether extracurricular activities have any effect on a child's behavior and adjustment.

Their research found that because American children have such a large amount of free time (as much as 50 percent of their waking hours), devoting more time to sports and other activities does enhance children's development. Specifically, it speeds their academic, emotional and behavioral development.

In addition, playing outdoors and hanging out might actually detract from development, the study said.

The teams of researchers looked at 198 firstborn children, each from a different family.

They interviewed the children and parents to gather information about the children's free time.

The level of activity of each child was analyzed. Those from higher social classes and from parents with higher education were found to participate in more activities.

They also looked at the benefits of the activity levels. They found that more time spent on extracurricular activities does have a positive effect on the academics, emotions and behavior of children.

Many students agree with the findings of the study.

"I think (activities) would help," said Mandie Page (junior-nutrition). "They would learn rules and guidelines to follow."

Other students say that self-confidence comes from activities, which can improve behavior.

"It does make sense," said Melissa Parlanti (senior-astronomy and astrophysics). "They'd be training a lot and on a strict schedule. They'd have more discipline and self-awareness. And they'd be more responsible because they have much more at stake than those who aren't in activities."

Children who are not active can change their situation.

"I would suggest that if children aren't involved in any organized activities and are spending a lot of their time alone or roaming around the neighborhood, that their parents do their best orchestrate their children's involvement in structured, adult-supervised activities," McHale said. "This means helping their child to find activities that he or she wants to invest time in."