Health benefits of playing football
Ever wondered what keeps Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi so fit and healthy? It’s not just their silky skills with the ball, but the hours on the training ground and the all round health benefits of playing the world’s favourite sport. Recent research suggests that having a good kickabout with a group of friends is better for your health than weight training or running. So lace up your boots and enjoy the top five benefits of playing football!
Play Your Way to Heart Fitness
Playing football on a regular basis helps to keep your heart healthy. It’s such a vigorous workout that it helps to lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. The stop-start way the game is played also helps to burn fat faster, giving you a better physique and paving the way to a heart healthy future.
Be Stress Free
One of the great benefits of any exercise is the release of endorphins that help make you feel good, ease stress and anxiety and soothe the nervous system. Because football is such an active sport, you’ll release plenty of endorphins for a ‘feel good’ rush after every game.
Toned Muscles, Healthy Bones
Want a toned body and strong bones and muscles? Then a good game of football is better than running and lifting weights. The skills involved and the intensity and range of movements lead to a full body workout that strengthens bones and tones the muscles. Five-a-side is even better because the workout is more intense, so get some friends together, invest in team football kits from an online retailer like https://www.kitking.co.uk and hit the gym!
Get a Flexible Mind and Body
Play football regularly and you’ll sharpen your coordination skills and sharpen your mental flexibility. You won’t be aware of all the multitasking processes your brain goes through during a game, but those constant decisions increase your mental and physical agility so you can cope with anything on and off the pitch.
Increase Stamina and Endurance
Why train for a marathon when you can increase your stamina and endurance by playing a game of football? With its combination of running and sprinting, kicks and twists, football is a full body exercise that gradually improves your fitness, building the stamina and endurance you need to last a full 90 minutes with ease.
