What are the Benefits of Basketball?

Basketball is one of the fastest growing and most popular sports. There are over a billion dedicated fans and millions of players! Some may say that playing basketball will help you grow stronger and taller, but there are also numerous other health benefits playing has to offer.

Keeping your heart healthy

Basketball is a contact sport, and it requires a large variety of skill development. When conditioning for basketball, players need aerobic and anaerobic training. Aerobic training involves endurance, and anaerobic training involves short burst activities. During playtime, there is a lot of starting and stopping, so while it is not considered an aerobic sport, it still provides a heart-pumping workout and promotes cardiovascular health. Because you keep moving, your heart rate increases and also helps build endurance, which is important to keeping your heart healthy. It will also help lower the risk of stroke and heart disease later in your life.

Getting into shape

Playing basketball can also help you burn calories. The quick lateral movements, running and jumping give you an aerobic workout, which allows a person who weighs 165 pounds to burn about 600 calories. A person who weighs 250 pounds can burn approximately 900 calories. This demonstrates it is highly effective as a fitness routine that is also fun, so it doesn’t necessarily feel like you’re hitting the gym with a goal of burning calories.

Building strength

Basketball also helps to build bone and muscle. Any physical activity that involves weight-bearing helps new bone tissue and muscle tissue to form. Your body becomes stronger as a result of the tugging and pushing of muscles against bone that happens during basketball.

Stress relief

Basketball is a great stress reliever. When stress is decreased, you have more energy and focus to complete other tasks. It also makes you more social, which can help prevent depression. Your immune system will receive a boost when stress is lowered, making you overall healthier and your body naturally combative!

Full-body toning/workout

When you play basketball you get a full-body workout, this helps develop lean muscle in your lower back, neck, deltoids, traps and core. It also makes your legs stronger, and shooting and dribbling help strengthen your arms, hand and wrist.

Quick thinking

Basketball is not only a fast-paced game that requires a lot of physical skill, but also a mind game that requires you to think on your toes. This sport requires heavy focus so you can accurately and quickly process what is happening on the court, then make the correct decisions to direct the ball. You also have to assess the court environment around you and make split second decisions based on the actions of other players on the court.

Hand-eye coordination

Basketball requires a lot of hand-eye coordination as well as full-body coordination. Practicing or playing basketball develops these skills as you rebound, dribble, and navigate the court while making your next move – whether it be a pass or a shot.

With the many benefits of basketball, it is the perfect reason for you to pick up a ball and start shooting some hoops. It can be played alone or with friends – no matter what you choose, you receive a great workout and many health benefits. By making this sport a part of your fitness routine, you’ll be physically and mentally fit for many years