It gets increasingly more difficult to stay active as we age. Going to the gym and exercising regularly is obviously a great way to stay in shape and remain active. However, recent studies have shown that those who participated in sports were 5 times more likely to remain active in their 70’s and 80’s versus those who simply went to the gym. The following are all reasons why playing your favorite sport is the best way to remain active throughout your life.
Field Time Develops An Early Love of Activity
Whether your favorite sport is tennis, basketball, baseball, football, soccer, or a combination of many sports, chances are that you started playing at a young age. By participating in athletics at a young age, you not only get good exercise, but you also learn a number of valuable lessons that help shape you throughout your life.
“Sport can affect a child’s development of self-esteem and self-worth. It is also within sport that peer status and peer acceptance is established and developed.”
-Sports Psychologist Dr. Glyn Roberts of the University of Illinois
This, along with the benefits that accompany regular exercise such as being a stress reliever, keeping you mentally sharp, and helping you to be more well rested are all great reasons to start sports at young age.
Field Time Develops A Crave for Competition
The friendly competition associated with playing sports translates to other aspects of your life. The drive to improve will help you do better in school, improve your self confidence, succeed in business and prosper throughout your life. When you win, you feel amazing and want to keep playing so you can win again. Alternatively, when you lose you want to continue playing in hopes of winning the next time. Friendly competition is addictive, which is why it makes sense that you’d want to keep playing your favorite sports throughout your life.
Sports Offer The Benefits of Cardio
All of the cardiovascular fitness that accompanies your favorite sport has a great impact on your overall health and wellness. Cardio is great for every part of your body.
- Brain – decreases your chances of having a stroke, protects against Alzheimer’s Disease, improves your thinking ability and memory.
- Skin- an increase of circulation gives you healthier, clearer skin.
- Blood – helps to control your blood sugar and improves good cholesterol by lowering blood fats.
- Muscles – makes you stronger so everyday activities seem easier, increases your oxygen supply so your muscles can do more.
- Pancreas – decreases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- Lungs- reduces shortness of breath and fatigue the stronger you get.
- Weight- Allows you to burn more calories and maintain a healthy weight.
- Sexual Function– reduces the chance of erectile dysfunction in men and improves arousal in women.
- Bones and Joints -Combats osteoporosis, helps to manage the pain of arthritis, helps to keep your range of motion in your joints.
While you’re just playing a fun game with your friends, you are also getting all of these added health benefits.
For the Fun of It
While some people genuinely enjoy going to the gym to workout, most would generally prefer to play a pick up game with their friends. This may arguably be the main reason why playing sports keeps you active throughout your life. It’s easier to go to the gym when you’re young and don’t have as many obligations. As you get older family, work and other priorities get in the way of what was once your gym time and if you didn’t absolutely love working out in your 20’s, there is no way your going to make time for it in your middle age. However getting up early to do something you love, like playing tennis with your spouse is much more likely.
A Social Outlet
There is something unique and special about being on a team. Having a group of people work together to accomplish a common goal is incredibly rewarding. This teamwork that is developed through the common bond of a favorite pastime, makes you feel like you’re part of something important. By being part of a team, you have other people that depend on you. Because you don’t want to let your teammates down, this sense of accountability keeps you coming back for more. Whereas exercising at the gym it is typically just you, the social aspect involved with team sports will keep you active throughout your lifetime.
If you don’t currently have a sport that you enjoy playing, know that it is never too late to start. In a study done by the British Medical Journal, they found that even those who waited until middle age to start participating in sports were much more likely to continue being active throughout the rest of their lives versus those who never did.
The most amazing thing about playing sports is that you are never too old to enjoy them. Continue to play the game that you grew up loving and you will live a happier, healthier, and longer life.
Kevin Jones has mastered a busy lifestyle with work and fitness combined with family life. He writes offering solutions for cardio fitness as well as keeping families fit together by utilizing activities and diet. You can read more of Kevin’s writings by connecting with him online; LinkedIn – Twitter