Six most important effects of playing football on physical health

by on Jul 13, 2023

Six most important effects of playing football on physical health

Six most important effects of playing football on physical health

There are few sports as popular as football. Whether it's played on the street, in a stadium or at a club, the game's popularity has continued to grow over the years, and the sport has been around for centuries in many different variations. Kicking as a sport is popular with just about every age group and nationality. Football is an incredible mass phenomenon. For many, of course, the sport also offers a multitude of benefits. In this article, we take a look at the health benefits of playing football. From improving the cardiovascular system to reducing the risk of injury, the benefits of playing football go far beyond the pitch. Read on to learn more about the health benefits of playing football and how the game can boost your overall health.

1. Playing football improves the cardiovascular system

Football is a sport that involves both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The former is used for cardiovascular activities such as running or walking, while the latter is used for activities such as weight training or sprinting.

To improve the cardiovascular system, you need to develop skills such as endurance and strength. These three components go hand in hand and are developed through consistent training. It is not enough to just go and play. To get the results you want, you need to put in long hours, work hard and train smart. Football training consists of three phases:

Warm-up

The duration of the warm-up training is between 15 and 20 minutes. Here, mainly agility and strength exercises, as well as warm-up games, are done with the aim of tuning up the body, building up concentration and ensuring ball security.

The main part of the training session

The main training session lasts about 50 minutes. Here, game forms and exercises with a technical-tactical focus are used to improve the training focus, and conditions are also trained in line with the game.

Final part

The final part of the training lasts 20 minutes and consists of a normal game of football on the goals or motivational exercises and a run-out. The aim here is to enjoy the game and to motivate for the next training session.

As you can see, playing football is more than just two teams playing against each other, the training behind it is very demanding and should definitely be done by anyone who is interested in this sport. 

2. Playing football improves muscle strength

To be strong, of course, you need to build muscle. There are several ways to do this: you can lift weights, do resistance exercises or do intense endurance training.

All three methods have their uses, but nothing is as effective for building muscle as playing football. This is because, during a game, you are continuously using your muscles. Thus, your muscles grow and develop to support your bones, tendons and joints.

During a classic football match, a player (excluding the goalkeeper) runs around 11 kilometres, plus training and everything else. Overall, everything about playing active football is more like interval training. Of course, you need breaks to build up your muscles, but you still don't have to say goodbye to the sport. With the overwhelmingly positive Slotozen Australia experience, you can have a perfect break from football. A change of activities is always very useful.

3. Playing football is good for weight loss

Weight gain is a common problem among both adults and children. Many people fear that they can never lose weight if they like to eat. However, this is not the case. With the right approach, anyone can lose weight or prevent useless gaining. It just requires commitment and a little effort.

A healthy diet is important for everyone, but it is especially important for children. A child's still-developing body needs a variety of vitamins and minerals to develop properly. A diet that lacks some of these nutrients can lead to suboptimal development.

However, even a good diet cannot prevent weight gain, so it is particularly good to exercise, the only question is, which one do you want to do? If you want to engage all parts of your body equally well, football is the right choice. As mentioned above, regular football training improves the cardiovascular system significantly.

4. Playing football improves balance

Balance is important both on and off the pitch. Especially in everyday life, we often need our balance. It is made up of coordination and muscles, if one of these two things is underdeveloped or even completely absent, it can cause problems. To improve your balance, you need to train your muscles to work together and support accordingly when you are in action on the field. This means that you need to improve your core muscles, which form the basis of your entire body.

In football, the training already starts in the feet, if you do not stand robustly, then no ball can be guided safely. Balance is especially important in the rain and on wet pitches, so you should do exercises even in bad weather.

The best way to train your sense of balance is with squats, or by using weights to keep your balance. Alternatively, you can also try to keep your balance on soft ground, the longer, the better.

As we get older, our balance can decline. This is a common complaint among seniors, although many believe it is not a real problem until adulthood. However, there are many factors that can contribute to an impaired sense of balance, including poor posture, lack of exercise and conditions such as dizziness.

The aim of balance training is to improve joint stability, improve posture, balance and coordination, which leads to enhanced brain activity, and prevent falls and injuries. 

5. Playing football has a positive impact on mental health

Playing football is not just about physical activity; it also has a significant positive impact on mental health. Engaging in this popular sport can contribute to improved overall well-being and psychological resilience.

One of the key benefits of football on mental health is the release of endorphins and serotonin during physical activity. These neurotransmitters are known to boost mood, reduce stress, and promote a sense of happiness and relaxation. Regular participation in football can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, providing individuals with a natural way to manage their mental well-being.

Moreover, football fosters a sense of belonging and social connection. Being part of a team allows players to form friendships, develop a support system, and experience a sense of camaraderie. The shared goals and challenges of the game create a strong bond among teammates, promoting teamwork, cooperation, and communication skills. These social interactions can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, contributing to improved mental and emotional health.

Football also provides a platform for personal growth and self-esteem. When individuals set goals and work towards them, such as improving their skills or scoring a goal, they experience a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. Success in football, whether it's mastering a new technique or winning a match, can enhance self-esteem and contribute to a positive self-image.

Playing football goes beyond the physical aspects of the sport. It positively impacts mental health by promoting happiness, reducing stress, fostering social connections, boosting self-esteem, enhancing cognitive abilities, and providing means of emotional release. 

6. Playing football has a great positive influence on the immune system

The immune system has the task of protecting the body from infections. Anything that strengthens your immune system can increase your resistance to common illnesses like flu, colds and even cancer.

Just going out, cycling or walking can boost your immune system. There are a number of ways that playing football can improve your immune system. One way is to sweat more. When you exercise hard, your body releases toxins when you sweat. This helps you get rid of toxins that may be in your body.

It also puts a lot of stress on the body in bad weather conditions. Exercising is usually done whether it is raining, windy or snowing - this toughens the body and indirectly builds the immune system. If you train actively, even in the sun and fresh air, this has a positive effect on your immune system.

Why you should start playing football

The list of benefits that playing football can bring is long and impressive. From building the cardiovascular system to improving balance and muscle strength to fighting disease.

If you've been thinking about joining a team, now might be the time to do it, whether it's at your local club or something bigger, you should definitely give it a go. Of course, it doesn't have to be on such a large scale, just a round of kicking around the football pitch is fine too. However, it clearly takes self-motivation to go through the training alone, a team with a trainer, of course, makes this easier and also helps considerably with motivation.

In conclusion, however, it can be said that playing football in a team or alone with appropriate training is more than good for the body and mind.

 


Last Updated: Jul 13, 2023