2. The Health Benefits of Sport 1. Neurological Benefits
2. Psychological Benefits
3. Improved Social Skills
Importance of Sport in Education
1. Building Friendship Among Pupils
2. Healthy Kids are Better Learners
3. Improving Problem Solving Skills
4. Instilling Core Values
The Role of Sport in Society
The Health Benefits of Sport
sports health benefits
One of the best reasons for kids and adults to play sport is for the incredible health benefits. With experts recommending 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, it can be hard to find the time and motivation to fit this into a busy schedule. Sport makes it easy. Firstly, the sport tends to involve vigorous exercise, meaning you only need to aim for 75 minutes a week to get the same benefits. This makes achieving a healthy level of exercise easier.
Secondly, the sport is fun. Everyone can find a physical activity that gets them excited, whether that’s volleyball, cycling, kayaking, or rock climbing. The vast range of sports available means that it’s possible to find a form of exercise that’s enjoyable. Once again, this makes exercise exciting and less of a chore, increasing the chances of you finding the motivation to do it.
If you achieve the recommended level of exercise, then the health benefits are undeniable. They include:
50% decreased risk of diabetes
35% decreased risk of heart disease
50% reduced risk of colon cancer
20% reduced risk of breast cancer
30% lower risk of falling as an older adult
30% lower risk of dying
These statistics are true for just a small amount of exercise. One sports game a week would be enough to reap these rewards. At the same time, you’ll be lowering your body fat percentage and increasing muscle mass. You’ll sleep better, have more energy throughout the day, a higher sex drive, and increased appetite. It’s almost impossible to list all the health benefits!
Beyond these clear health benefits, the importance of sports lies in how they encourage other healthy behavior. In order to perform well and win games, you’re going to smoke less, drink less, eat better, and get more sleep. Having this competitive motivation means that you live more healthily across all areas of your life.
Exercise is so vital to maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding cardiovascular problems. For many, however, nothing is more daunting than a trip to the gym. Sport, conversely, doesn’t feel like a burden. It’s fun, social, exciting, and fulfilling. As a result, achieving all the aforementioned health benefits is instantly more achievable.
The physical importance of sports is well known but you might not be aware of how it impacts your mental health. Participating in physical activities has an incredibly beneficial effect on your happiness. This boost in happiness comes from a range of sources, both neurological and psychological.