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Survey: playing sports may ease anxiety, New York Post reports

The survey covered three thousand nine hundred thirty-one adults, and the mental health links were tied to youth sports; the advice is to start now.

On air: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on The Bonk-o-Meter
Published 1:02 PM ET, Thursday, October 29, 2026

At a glance

First reported by New York Post: “New survey shows playing sports alleviates anxiety: Let it kickstart your fitness goals”, with reporting from Ohio State University News and Spectrum News 1.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 1:02 PM ET on The Bonk-o-Meter, by Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman.

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

New York PostNew survey shows playing sports alleviates anxiety: Let it kickstart your fitness goals
Ohio State University NewsPlaying youth sports linked to better mental health in adults June 26, 2024 · facts used on air
Spectrum News 1Study: Mental health better in people who played youth sports June 28, 2024 · facts used on air

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe claim under review: playing sports eases anxiety, and adults should let it kickstart their fitness goals.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorBrilliant. Adults with anxiety, advised to join a team. Now they're anxious in matching shirts.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe New York Post reports a survey found sports can ease anxiety, and calls it a relatable wellness tip.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorRelatable. Right.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe evidence for it is real. The survey covered three thousand nine hundred thirty-one adults, and the links to better mental health were there.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd the catch is in the fine print, because it always is. Go on, Hank.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe study found the links were about youth sports, not adults taking them up now.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThirty-five percent never played organized sports, and forty-one percent played and dropped out.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo the tip is to have been a child on a team. I'll look into a time machine.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRating: Medium Bonkers. The survey is fine, but the headline took a childhood and sold it as a Saturday plan.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorTwenty-four percent played straight through to eighteen. Those are the calm ones, and I'd like their names.