An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.
“Incorporated into the definition of ‘sport’ are all forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being, and social interaction. These include play; recreation; organized, casual or competitive sport; and indigenous sports or games.”
Why engage in sports?
Physiological effects and health benefits of sports and games.
1. Exercise, physical activity, and sport have long been used in the treatment and rehabilitation of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
2. Physical activity for individuals is a strong means for the prevention of diseases and for nations is a cost-effective method to improve public health across populations.
3. Improved Blood Circulation
Blood circulation get's better when you start playing sports. The body remains well oxygenated. Thus, it remains more healthy and active. Apart from blood circulation, being physically active can also increase the amount of hemoglobin and the volume of blood.
4. Stronger Immunity
Regularly indulging in exercise and sports makes the body immune to many diseases that usually affect a person due to weak immunity. When a person exercises, the rate at which white blood cells reach every body part increases significantly. Playing sports increases sweat production and also removes toxins. Due to the rise in body temperature, the chances of bacterial growth also lessen.
5. Muscle Toning
Sports are actually the best form of working out for muscles. Toned muscles are always desirable and that’s what you get when you play sports. The endurance of muscles also increases with time and this helps you in gaining a stronger body. Both inner and outer muscles get toned up when one plays any sport. For example, running involves working out both the inner and outer thigh muscles.
6. Stronger Bones
Playing sports is beneficial in strengthening not only the muscles but also the bones in your body. Bones get their strength from bone density and aging decreases bone density, which can result in osteoporosis. Taking up sports is perhaps one of the easiest ways to maintain bone density and strength for people of all ages.
7. Positive Attitude
Sports can bring a positive attitude to your life if played in a healthy manner. It refreshes the mind and helps in developing a positive and fresh outlook towards life.
8. Lower Cholesterol Levels
Sports also help in maintaining lower levels of bad cholesterol. Some experiments showed that compared to athletes, bad cholesterol levels in sedentary people were much higher, while good cholesterol levels were significantly higher in athletes.
9. Healthy Heart
Playing sports helps with stretching ability. The heart benefits the most from playing sports and there are fewer chances of malfunctioning of your heart. Playing sports help the heart in pumping more blood as it is a type of workout for the body.
10. Control Diabetes
Playing sports helps the insulin to perform in a better manner. This helps diabetic people to make most of the insulin present in their body. Also, physical activity helps in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes. It can also help in weight management since it burns excess calories.
11. Weight Management
Obesity is a big issue faced by millions of people across the world. This issue can be dealt by indulging in loads of sports or similar physical activities. Fat gets burnt and calories are shed through rigorous physical activity involved in sports. People who regularly play sports are naturally leaner and fitter.
12. Lower Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, may result in a stroke or heart disease. This makes the control of hypertension absolutely necessary. Hypertension can be prevented by being physically active or by.
13. It improves energy levels
Regular exercise often makes people feel more energetic, allows them to be more active, and reduces the likelihood that they'll tire during the day.
14. It enhances emotional well-being.
Most people report that they feel calm and have a sense of well-being after they exercise. Exercise, according to one theory, releases beta-endorphin, a natural substance in the body that is hundreds of times more potent than morphine.
15. It helps prevent cancer.
People who exercise regularly have lower incidences of cancer. The cancers most affected include colon, prostate, uterine, and breast cancers.
16. It helps keep arteries and veins clear.
Exercise reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol and fats in a person's blood. It increases the flexibility of the walls of blood vessels and helps to lower blood pressure. This can reduce a person's risk of heart attack and stroke.
17. It strengthens the lungs.
Working hard increases lung capacity and their efficiency in moving air in and out of the body. As a result, more oxygen is drawn into the body and more carbon dioxide and other waste gases are expelled. Regular exercise helps prevent the decline in oxygen intake that occurs naturally with age or as a result of inactivity.
18. Enhance the Immune System
Being active is great for the body in helping to enhance one’s immune system. As a report from Aging Home Health Care states, “Physical activity can help prevent or maintain control in some chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes arthritis, and even some types of cancer.” Physical activity done over a consistent period can also help in improve the overall quality of life and assist in longevity. Examples: Exercising, playing games, horseshoes, golf, bike riding, or basketball. (All sports can be altered for different levels of physical function abilities)
19. Improve Flexibility
Moving can assist in stretching muscles and in turn improve flexibility. Try doing some active hobbies such as these to get moving. Examples: Wii Games, walking, Yoga, stretching, swimming, painting, Tai Chi or dancing.
20. Improve Memory
Many hobbies will challenge your mental abilities and enhance your problem-solving skills. Most hobbies also offer mental stimulation in reference to completing the task. Examples: Word searches, Crossword Puzzles, Brain games, Soduko, or Card games.
21. Reduce stress
Most people pursue hobbies because they enjoy them, and many things that we enjoy doing help relieve stress in our lives. Some of these ideas may also help create a calm atmosphere to reduce stress. Examples: Cooking or baking, gardening, taking a walk, singing, reading, or playing a musical instrument.
22. Improve self-esteem
Some hobbies even involve other people which can create social opportunities and improve self-esteem! Examples: Card games, board games, shopping, knitting, or scrapbooking.
23. Better Quality Sleep
Being more active during the day helps create a more restful night’s sleep. Just be sure to do more active hobbies earlier in the day so you can be sure to have enough time to wind down before bed.
24. Sports improve your mood
Whether you are playing sports, working out at a gym, or taking a brisk walk, physical activity triggers brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed. Team sports, in particular, provide a chance to unwind and engage in a satisfying challenge that improves your fitness.
25. Sports improve your concentration
Regular physical activity helps keep your key mental skills sharp as you age. This includes critical thinking, learning, and using good judgment. Research has shown that doing a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities is especially helpful. Participating in this kind of activity three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes can provide these mental health benefits.
26. Sports reduce stress and depression
When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from daily stressors. This can help you avoid getting bogged down by negative thoughts. Exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones in your body. At the same time, it stimulates the production of endorphins. These are natural mood lifters that can keep stress and depression at bay.
27. Sports improve sleep habits
Sports and other forms of physical activity improve the quality of sleep. They do this by helping you fall asleep faster and deepening your sleep. Sleeping better can improve your mental outlook the next day, as well as improve your mood.
28. Sports boost your self-confidence
Sports provide you with a sense of mastery and control, which often leads to a feeling of pride and self-confidence.The regular exercise that comes with playing sports can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
29. Sports have been linked to leadership traits
Team sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball are breeding grounds for leadership traits. Studies done in high schools reveal a correlation between sports participation and leadership qualities.
30. There Is the Ability to Overcome Dyslexia
The benefit of games is that they force you to concentrate for long periods of time. Chances are you won’t even realize that you’re concentrating for these long periods of time.
31. Your Vision May Improve
You’re forced to look for details and distinguish between different shades of the same color. This ability becomes useful in the real world, as you will find it easier to distinguish between colors while playing. You’ll notice smaller details.
32. There Are Creativity Benefits
Creativity does lead to health benefits, either sports and games certainly develop creativity.
33. Improve the Memory and Other Cognitive Abilities
We hear all the time about how we need to keep our brains working to keep the function at the highest level. Examples are crosswords and Sudoku puzzles, there’s no denying that these games may be able to help. Just think about the amount that your brain must do while you’re playing the games.
34. Take Your Attention Off the Pain You Feel
The benefit is while you’re playing the video games, you’re taking your mind off the pain that you feel. Your focus is on the game—something that you’re enjoying. You’ll forget the pain that was there.
35. Gamers Are Better Surgeons
When you play games, your hands are always working. You must look at the details on the screen, make quick decisions, and keep the stress levels down. You must work within small spaces while controlling the accuracy on your targets.
36. Playing badminton promotes the activity of the bone forming cells and help in the
assimilation of calcium in the bone matrix, thereby strengthening it.
37. Additional health benefit of playing sports is reduced incidence of cancers like cancer of
the large bowel and cancer of breast.
38. Playing sports and games keeps you: feeling well,
39. Strong, motivated,
40. Enthusiastic and young.
41. It helps to ward off depression, anxiety, stress and increase self-esteem.
42. It also helps in enjoying a better sleep in the night, thereby minimizing the incidence of pre-existing illnesses getting aggravated due to lack of sleep.
43. Helpful in hypertensive individuals.
It may help them to ward off their hypertension without medicines and even if they are needed, only fewer amounts are required.
44. Increases the levels of HDL good cholesterol while decreasing the levels of bad cholesterols.
As bad cholesterols decrease the size of blood vessels promoting heart attacks and strokes, reduction in their levels translates into multiple health benefits for the individual.
45. Improved Quality of Life
Studies have demonstrated a clear benefit in senior citizens who played sports in their teenage years. A 2013 study published by BMC Public Health re-examined World War II veterans 50 years after initial testing. Those who had played varsity high school sports reported having fewer doctor visits per year.
46. Improve social life:
Finding companionship through bowling leagues and teams can ease loneliness in the elderly and others who live alone, reducing stress and depression. Social relationships around shared interests can increase longevity.
47. Hand-eye coordination
Throwing the bowling ball and hitting the pins requires a great amount of hand-eye coordination. This kind of focus stimulates mental alertness, concentration, and tactical strategy.
48. Improves endurance
Having an increased endurance allows athletes to reach their full potential in sports but most importantly, will keep their heart healthy.
49. Improved joint flexibility and range of motion. Improved flexibility reduces the risk of injury.
50. Enhanced aerobic fitness
Participating in aerobic activities — such as running, cycling, or swimming — can improve your body’s ability to transport and utilize oxygen in the lungs and blood
https://www.sportanddev.org/en/learn-more/what-sport-and-development/what-sport-0
https://www.scienceforsport.com/50-reasons-why-parents-should-encourage-children-to-play-sport/
https://www.sportanddev.org/en/learn-more/health/health-benefits-sport-and-physical-activity
https://www.linkedsenior.com/blog/2012/10/6-health-benefits-of-having-hobbies-leisure-activities/
http://www.badminton-information.com/health_benefits_of_playing_badminton.html
http://insportscenters.com/15-health-benefits-of-sports/
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