What are the physical benefits of playing basketball? Basketball is a world-renowned game and is played by hundreds of people across the globe. The benefits of playing this game are countless. It’s easy to play a friendly game that friends can enjoy in their free time.
Along with being a fun game, it is also a very healthy game. You get to work on some of your muscles and learn coordination with friends. A traditional basketball game has 5 players on each side. However, in a more casual environment, it can be played as two on two and three on three as well.
The rule of the game is simple all you need to do is throw the ball through the hoop to gain scores. In the end, the team that has the most scores wins.
The simplicity of the game and competitiveness to win can help people bond well and gain strength while playing. So to fully understand the benefits of this game let’s jump in and figure out what does it has to offer:
What are the physical benefits of playing basketball?
Health benefits:
This game is a high endurance game, with lots of jumps and squatting postures involved. Which means your whole body is actively involved in playing this game. That can help your body in staying healthy by expanding on the following benefits:
Healthier bones:
Basketball is a high-intensity game that makes you flex your muscles and mental nerves as well. Your bones experience a lot of high-strength workout training when playing this game.
Your bones and muscles surrounding those bones become more powerful and gain strength from the muscles. Your bone density improves naturally as it would from a high-intensity workout at the gym.
The players of basketball generally have a higher bone mineral density than those who do not play basketball.
Supports Muscle Strength:
As mentioned before basketball is a high-intensity game. You are required to make fast-paced decisions and quickly adapt to the various situations that are being posed.
Your job as a basketball player is to catch the ball at high-speed motion and in a fraction of seconds pass the ball to another play. This helps keep your muscles pumping. The whole game requires agility and strength.
You will also need to work on your stamina to be able to cope with this long and high endurance game to ensure you do not bow out when needed the most.
The muscles of your legs, shoulders, arms, your core, and your back are highly impacted by this game. Hence when choosing to play this game build some core strength and work on your stamina along with your agility.
Improved coordination and balance:
Basketball is a game that heavily depends on your motor ability. This means that to play this game your motor skills need to be on point.
It doesn’t mean you cannot play it among friends unless you have motor skills, it means you will be able to build some serious motor skills while playing this game.
There are a lot of things that need to be performed in this game to keep the ball moving, such as hooping, dribbling, and passing. This all builds coordination, muscle strength, and balance.
The task of dribbling along can help you gain balance. It also helps you gain agility as you are constantly on the lookout for the adversary to take the ball from you.
Enhance motor skills:
Basketball is a game of endurance and keeps your heart pumping till the last minute. You gain muscular strength and the ability to endure all kinds of quick active motions.
Your body learners to pick up the pace and move according to the ball. This helps build strength in muscles and the body. Your body becomes agile and swift in response to the motion.
The kind of movement and agility also helps build muscular strength and increases metabolic rate. This means that you can end up losing weight by playing this sport.
All in a game of basketball, not only does your cardiovascular health improves, in fact, your self-esteem also takes benefit from your game.
Enhanced body composition:
Your body composition improves as a result of playing this game. As already discussed the bodyweight reduction is one of the benefits of this amazing outdoor or indoor game.
It helps lose excess weight and increases lean muscle in the body. Whether you are a trained professional or not you can benefit mentally and physically from a healthy friendly match with some friends.
Boosts cardiovascular health:
Due to it being a high endurance game with a lot of bouncing and running involved, your cardiovascular health improves. It helps keep your heart racing at a high rate and helps improve the performance of your heart while you are playing this game.
Now that we know all the health benefits let’s look at some other benefits of playing this game:
Decreases Stress:
Our body releases endorphins when engaged in high-intensity activity. These hormones are also known as feel-good hormones. These hormones are responsible for many features and attributes; they can help you feel calm by reducing stress.
Endorphins alleviate depression and boost mood, while also allowing you to relax and be present in the moment.
Since basketball is such a high-intensity game and keeps you on your toes constantly you also become mindful and your concentration levels also benefit from having to constantly stay on your toes.
Promotes self-confidence and positivity:
A strenuous game like basketball relies heavily on communication among team members. You end up building a strong bond with your team members and your communication also benefits from being supported by your team members.
The on-court camaraderie also trickles down into other areas of your life. Your work performance also benefits from having confidence.
You also become open to constructive criticism and learn to not take it personally instead you grow and incorporate the criticism in your life to be better than ever. Your team spirit is also ignited as you learn to be a part of a team and work together to meet the goal, off-court and on the court.
What are the physical benefits of playing basketball?: Final Words
With so many benefits to offer this game is certainly an amazing game to play. Whether you work or are a student incorporating a game of basketball into your routine will only benefit you.