According to a new study, emphasizing on the emotional benefits of exercise is a far better way to motivate teens to exercise.

Reema Sirriyeh, from the University of Leeds conducted the study with her associates. She said that there is evidence that people who find exercise enjoyable are more likely to engage in sports and exercise.

The study observed 128 students aged between 16 and 19 in England. These participants received encouraging text messages everyday for two weeks.

Texts on the emotional benefits included - "Physical activity can make you feel cheerful. What activity will you do today?" A second group received texts that highlighted the physical benefits, such as, "Physical activity can keep your heart healthy. What activity will you do today?”

In an online issue of the British Journal of Health Psychology, the researchers stated that the physical activity levels of all participants grew by an average of 31.5 minutes of moderate level activity per week after receiving the messages for two weeks.

However, there’s a need of change of attitude as many sports are played just out of competition. If you are not good at a sport, you should not participate at all. And the focus is always on winning rather than appreciating how well the participant has played.