Final answer:
Team sport participation typically peaks during early adulthood, between 20 and 35 years old, when physical abilities are at their highest. In high school, only a small percentage of students participate in sports throughout all four years. Icons like Serena Williams illustrate that peak performance can extend beyond the typical peak years.
Step-by-step explanation:
Team sport participation often peaks during early adulthood, which aligns with the ages between 20 and 35 years old. During this period, individuals have completed their physical maturation, showcasing peak physical abilities like muscle strength, reaction time, sensory abilities, and cardiac functioning. It's important to note that involvement in after-school sports can begin in middle childhood, with many children participating in organized sports and peer-group activities. High school usually sees a continuation of this pattern with some students participating in sports throughout their educational journey.
However, the percentage of students who stay in after-school sports all four years of high school is relatively low. In the given example, approximately 8 percent of high school students are involved in after-school sports consistently through their high school career. Furthermore, icons like Serena Williams, who became the oldest female tennis player to be ranked number one at the age of 30, demonstrate that there can be professional peak performance beyond the typical peak years.
A broader societal trend also shows the popularity of leisure activities including team sports, with significant participation in various sports activities across different ages, peaking during the youthful early adulthood years but also remaining common into middle adulthood.