The Physical & Mental Benefits of Basketball
2nd Aug 21
Basketball is a sport that is enjoyed all over the world. It has many benefits and requires very little equipment, meaning you can play without putting yourself out of pocket. Matches consist of two teams of five, but basketball can be practised alone or with friends for fun if you don’t want to play competitively. However, you might be surprised to know that there are tons of benefits of basketball, both physically and mentally.
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- Builds Muscular Endurance
- Improves Balance & Coordination
- Strengthens Bones
- Lowers Stress
- Improves Communication Skills
Builds Muscular Endurance
Like most team sports, basketball requires you to be agile, quick, and strong to dodge and pass to get your ball to your hoop. The quick movements required mean that your muscles are always moving and contracting to support those moves. Playing basketball regularly means you can build up your muscular endurance in both your upper body and lower body, making it a perfect full-body workout.
Improves Balance & Coordination
Dodging and passing doesn’t just build muscle but also improves your balance and coordination. When moving around the court and dodging other players, you need to be able to stay upright to avoid falls. Even if you are playing alone, these are moves that can be practised on a court. Not to mention the obvious coordination needed to throw a ball and get it into the hoop. You’ll find playing basketball regularly improves both of these things, and you’ll start to score more and more often.
Strengthens Bones
Another benefit of basketball is that it helps to strengthen your bones. If you think about how much jumping and moving are needed in a basketball game, it is a great way to strengthen your bones. It counts as a jumping/weight workout as you are using your own body weight to lift yourself off of the ground but also to take the impact when you land. In the long run, healthy bones can have a massive impact later on in life.
Lowers Stress
Like most exercises, basketball is a good stress reliever. Regular practice will release those happy hormones (endorphins), making you feel better and reducing any stress you may be feeling. Low-stress levels can have many positive side effects, like improving your concentration and self-esteem and making daily activities and work a lot easier.
Improves Communication Skills
This benefit of basketball applies more if you are playing in a team or with friends. Playing regularly can help improve your communication skills. This might be a benefit you didn’t think of, but communicating on the court with your teammates is vital to play a good game. This communication doesn’t even have to be verbal. Once your team have built up that relationship, you’ll begin to notice you can communicate silently because you know each other so well.
The benefits of basketball can help you both on and off of the court; all you need is a ball and a hoop. You might even find that most parks have a court you can practice on. Just grab yourself a team, or head down there on your own and get playing; you’ve got nothing to lose!
Before beginning any exercise or nutrition program, consult your physician, doctor or other professional. This is especially important for individuals over the age of 35 or persons with pre-existing health problems. Exercise.co.uk assumes no responsibility for personal injury or property damage sustained using our advice.
If you experience dizziness, nausea, chest pain, or any other abnormal symptoms, stop the workout at once and consult a physician or doctor immediately.
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