Benefits of Sports

 

Benefits of Sports

© 2019 Paul Goodman

Ten(10) Benefits of Playing Sports

1. Healthier Heart
2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
3. Diverse Social Connections
4. Reduced Risk of Diabetes
5. Reduced Body Fat
6. Teamwork
7. Sleep Better
8. Lower Blood Pressure
9. Improved Appearance
10. Improved Mood

1. Healthier Heart

Unfortunately, heart disease is the number one cause of death in the USA, but the good news is that numerous studies have shown that regular exercise from participation in sports can dramatically increase heart health and reduce the chances of dying from cardiovascular disease. A study by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, for example, showed that people who swam participated in racket sports (such as tennis, badminton, squash), or did aerobics (including dancing) experienced dramatic reductions in mortality rates for cardiovascular death. The reduction rates were 41% for swimming, 56% for racket sports, and 36% for aerobics.

2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety

Over two-thirds of Americans say that they experience stress or anxiety daily, but did you know that studies have shown that the physical activity involved with sports participation can reduce these problems? According to Harvard Medical School, exercise combats stress through both neurochemical and behavioral means. Aerobic exercise reduces stress-inducing hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, while at the same stimulating endorphins, which provide mood elevation and a general sense of well-being. Behavioral benefits include better self-image as you lose weight and gain muscle tone, as well as increased confidence, vigor, and energy.

3. Diverse Social Connections

Sports clubs and teams contain people from different backgrounds, professions, and ages, but everyone is united by their enthusiasm for the game. It's a great way to meet new people and socialize. Also, if you ever need to find a lawyer, builder, or access local knowledge and get recommendations, asking at your local sports club is often a great place to start. I can't tell you the number of times that I've been helped out directly by other team members, or through their advice on issues within and outside the sport. Whenever I go to a new location, the first thing I do is join a sports club and make new friends and contacts.

4. Reduced Risk of Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association recommends a combination of aerobic activity and strength building to lower the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (as well as managing diabetes generally). Examples of sporting pursuits that can reduce risk include cycling, swimming, tennis, running, rowing, and skiing.

5. Reduced Body Fat

Participation in sporting activities has been established as a great way to lose weight. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, an exercise that involves short bursts of intense effort is the most effective, but a lower intensity workout can still work for those who can't go too hard for whatever reason. According to British fitness writer and sports therapist, Katie Hiscock in her BBC article on fat burning, it's important to remember that: "Losing weight is a simple maths equation - you need to burn more calories than you consume each day." Sports can help you to burn off calories in a fun way.

6. Teamwork

Playing as part of a team is a great way to bond with others. It can create a profound sense of satisfaction when communication, cooperation, and previous practice all comes together positively. Teamwork can be a wonderful learning experience for children and can improve the morale and efficiency of an adult workgroup. Teams can bring a deep sense of belonging, and you never stop learning when you are part of them, in my experience.

7. Sleep Better

Although there have been only a limited amount of studies that have looked at the relationship between exercise and sleep, there does seem to be a positive connection. According to the National Sleep Foundation, regular exercise can help people with problems sleeping to get more slumber, although the precise mechanism for how this happens is still not known for certain.

8. Lower Blood Pressure

According to the Mayo Clinic, regular aerobic activities can be used to control or lower your blood pressure. Aerobic exercises are basically anything that uses a variety of different muscles in repeated and rhythmic movements. Aerobic sporting activities can include things like playing tennis, badminton, running, bicycling, and swimming. In its Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the US Department of Health and Human Services advises that adults aim to do a minimum of 50 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to 300 minutes (5 hours) a week of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) to 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. On a personal level, I measure my own blood pressure regularly and in my experience, there is nothing quite like a sport for lowering it.

9. Improved Appearance

As well as weight loss, physical activity can help your appearance through improved muscle tone. The more that you use your muscles, the better your physical endurance and overall strength. Being physically active also enables more blood flow and oxygen, which gives you a warm glow and an enhanced complexion.

10. Improved Mood

According to scientists, sporting activities can trigger brain chemicals that lift your mood and makes you feel happier. A study published in The Lancet by scientists at Yale and Oxford suggested that exercise was a more important factor for participants in determining their levels of well-being than their economic situation. It showed that while people who exercise regularly tend to feel bad for 35 days a year, nonactive participants felt bad for 18 days more, a substantial difference.

Five(5) Benefits of Playing Team Sports

There are several advantages specifically associated with partaking in team sports and 5 of the main ones are below.

1. Social - Team sports are by definition group pastimes, whether it's on the sports field or court, or at a more general collective event, such as a post-match meal. You can make a lot of friends through sports. It can also be a great way to network with the wider community.
2. Learning - Playing in a team can be a great way to improve your sporting expertise. This can take the form of receiving informal advice from more experienced players, or it can be through more formalized team coaching. Either way, it's learning that you may not have got in a solo sport.
3. Motivation - Turning up for practices and making yourself available for matches, or other forms of competition can seem like a chore sometimes. If there's just yourself to consider, you can find yourself bailing out more often than you should. If you are committed to a team, there's more motivation, as you don't want to let the team down.
4. Working in tandem - There is a certain sort of satisfaction that comes from participating in a cooperative group. It is also a wonderful way to learn how humans can work together in groups to maximize their achievements. The knowledge that is learned on the sports field can also be used in other areas of life, such as the workplace.
5. Shared skills - In many teams, different members perform different roles. This means that your position in a team can reflect your individual set of strengths and weaknesses. You learn to value and respect people with other skill sets and appreciate how each individual can help the team in different ways.