The activity can be practiced by children, adults and the elderly and has positive results, for example, in weight control and reducing blood pressure
Fun to watch and play, the soccer It is a sport that goes far beyond entertainment: it is a sport capable of offering a series of benefits for both physical and mental health.
The most obvious, obviously, are linked to the aerobic activity generated on the field, as underlined Mercedes Carnethonepidemiologist and professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University, in Chicago (USA).
“It’s a continuous running game with very few stops, which also includes anaerobic elements, that high intensity where you run and then rest,” he explains.
“Because football involves highly aerobic forms of activity and exercise, there are many benefits to be gained,” he adds. Ilan Dananneurologist at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute, in Los Angeles (USA), highlighting positive results such as weight control, reduction in blood pressure and improvement in cholesterol levels.
“Regular exercise can also improve mood, reduce anxiety and lead to better sleep,” she says.
Calcium: it is good for your health in general
According to the sports researcher Pietro Krustrupwho has spent more than 15 years studying the health benefits of soccer, soccer-related recreational games and exercises offer benefits related to improved body composition and reduced cholesterol and blood pressure after approximately 12 to 16 weeks of training.
“Football is a versatile sport, combining endurance, strength and high-intensity interval training at the same time,” says the professional in his research.
“It’s basically the best of three worlds: it’s as good as interval running when it comes to cardiovascular training, it’s as good as long-distance running or cycling when it comes to endurance, and finally, it’s as good as weight lifting in terms of musculoskeletal training benefits,” he adds.
Finally, another advantage of football compared to other sports is that it allows access to players of all levels and ages. This information was also confirmed by Krustrup, who studied older players, including some rookies in their 80s, and found that older novice players get the same health benefits as those who have been playing for decades.
Advantages of football
Now that you know that soccer is not only a fun activity, but also extremely beneficial for your health, take a look at the complete list of benefits it offers, according to professionals:
- Increases aerobic capacity;
- Improves cardiovascular health;
- Reduces body fat and improves muscle tone;
- Increases muscle strength;
- Increases bone strength;
- Stimulates coordination;
- Promotes teamwork;
- Increases the cognitive function of the brain;
- It increases confidence and self-esteem and helps reduce anxiety.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
