7 Impressive Health Benefits of Playing Basketball

Did you know that an estimated 450 million folks worldwide play basketball? That count includes amateurs and licensed players.

After all, playing basketball isn’t only an enjoyable way to pass the time. It also delivers a wide array of physical and mental health benefits.

So, if you’re still on the fence about trying basketball out, this post is for you. Read on to discover how basketball benefits both the body and the brain.

1. Helps Hone Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS)

FMS refers to the basic movements associated with physical activity. They’re the building blocks for the skills kids need to learn throughout their lives. Some of these include catching, hopping, jumping, running, throwing, and skipping.

Playing sports, in turn, is one of the primary ways to enhance FMS, especially in kids. Basketball, in particular, helps promote agility, endurance, flexibility, and motor coordination. Research has also shown that it enhances power, speed, and strength.

That’s why basketball camps are popular amongst children and teens. After all, these camps teach young participants the basics of the game in a friendly and safe way. By joining one, they can get a taste of basketball and improve their FMS along the way.

2. Effective Calorie Burner

If you want to burn off excess calories, basketball is an excellent choice.

A person who weighs 150 pounds can burn up to 576 calories after one hour of playing basketball. That’s more than twice the calories that an hour of playing standard volleyball can burn!

3. Can Help Reduce Risks of Overweight or Obesity

Consuming too many calories can increase one’s risks for overweight and obesity. Both, in turn, are factors associated with chronic conditions, such as diabetes. They can also promote heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

As mentioned above, one of the chief benefits of basketball is that it burns a lot of calories. Therefore, playing basketball can be an excellent way to maintain a healthy weight.

4. Better Heart Health

Regular physical activity and sports, such as basketball, help improve heart health.

As basketball involves a lot of movement, it gives a complete cardiovascular workout. Indeed, research shows that basketball increases resting heart rates. That, in turn, leaves a positive effect on a person’s heart and lungs.

As such, regularly playing basketball may help cut your risks for cardiovascular disease.

5. A Great Way to Relieve Stress

Basketball, along with other forms of physical activity, triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins, in turn, are hormones associated with happy and pleasant emotions. That’s why these natural chemicals also go by the name “feel-good” hormones.

Thus, endorphins released while playing basketball can help alleviate stress.

6. Fosters Positive Connections

Basketball is a team sport that relies on every member’s active participation. So, by playing basketball, you can gain positive connections with other people.

Social connections, in turn, can help increase happiness and improve health. They may even help you lead a longer, more fulfilling life.

7. Can Help Improve Communication Skills

As you play basketball, you may learn new ways to voice your thoughts out. You may also be able to better your listening and nonverbal communication skills. You can then use what you’ve learned on-court in other off-court areas of your life, such as in school or at work.

Start Playing Basketball for Fun and Better Health

As you can see, playing basketball can help boost your physical, mental, and even social health. Over time, all those benefits can then help give you a better overall quality of life.

So, as early as now, take up basketball not just for fun but for all the good things it can do to your body and mind.

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