Sports and Drug Free Living
Sport and health are so important to a nation that they deserve to be right at the front of people's minds.
Ill effects of inactivity
During recent decades, there has been a progressive decline in the level of physical activity in people's daily lives in developed countries. For a majority of people, little physical effort is involved in their work, domestic chores, transportation and leisure.
Whilst specific health risks differ between countries and regions, the fact remains that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for most common non-communicable diseases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that, chronic diseases are now the leading causes of death in the world. The WHO cites four non-communicable diseases that make the largest contribution to mortality in low and middle income countries, namely: cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes.
How can sport help to reach specific health objectives and a drug free living?
Becoming involved in sports can play a major role in improving and maintaining a person's health. Playing sports can help in numerous ways. Training for most of the sports requires one to increase his/her cardiovascular fitness.
PV Sindhu won Silver in Rio Olympics 2016
This is true no matter what the sport may be. Sports also require strength training. This may take the form of push-ups, sit-ups or weight lifting. One must train regularly when involved in sports. One of the keys to good overall health is consistent exercise. Being involved in sports means training several times a week.
The camaraderie of being part of a team often enables one to go beyond what one may have perceived as one's fitness or endurance limit. It is for these reasons and many more why sports can play a major role in achieving good health and drug free living.
Playing sports is an excellent way to strengthen your heart and all your other muscles while having lots of fun.
Playing a sport does not mean working towards becoming a professional. Just playing a sport you like a few hours a week can have a profound effect on your health...no doubt !
There is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence on the positive effects of sport and physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
People in developing countries are gradually realising and accepting the fact that sports are a necessity for health as well as an activity for leisure and entertainment.
Playing sports helps you stay in shape, teaches you how to organize your time, boosts friendships and builds relationships with your peers and adults. Through athletics, you gain skills that can best be acquired on court, track or field.
Sports can help manage stress
Exercise is often prescribed by health professionals as a stress management tool. And the American Council on Exercise (ACE) states that one exercise session can produce a feeling of relaxation lasting between 90 and 120 minutes. Many people do not enjoy going to the gym, so they will be less inclined to go regularly. Engaging in a sport you enjoy will ensure that you keep it up, making sure your stress management is sustainable.
Michael Phelps
Sports can help you avoid disease
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), exercise may slow the effects of aging and help ward off dementia-like illnesses. 'Health Talk Now' states that exercise can also increase good cholesterol while decreasing bad cholesterol, and can help you avoid diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. High-impact, strengthening sports such as tennis, badminton, circuit training and running can help you avoid osteoporosis.
Sports make you look and feel better
When you are able to cope up with life's stresses, maintain a healthy weight and stave off dilapidating physical conditions and diseases, you are sure to look bright and feel great. You are likely to live a long, healthy life with fewer problems than people who do not engage in sports.
The benefits of sports can be enjoyed at any stage of life, but if you have any underlying medical condition or are elderly, consult a health professional before beginning a new regimen.
Do sports improve mental health?
Not only sports improve physical health, but they also give a boost to mental health. Several studies link mental health with outdoor sports, especially a 2008 study that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Common youth problems like bullying and adult problems like depression and stress can be taken care of with outdoor sports.
In the aforementioned study, 20,000 individuals were interviewed. Researchers compared their mental health with the daily amount of physical activity. They learnt that 33 percent of individuals who practiced sports had low mental distress.
Bullying too can reduce when kids are involved in sports. When you participate in a sport, especially a game of cricket or football, team work is important to win. Interaction reduces bullying as well as stress; you are no longer a lonely soul. You have to work with a team.
- When you are on the move, the blood and oxygen circulation improves drastically. This, in turn, improves the overall functioning of your body.
- Sports represent excellent opportunities to burn calories, keep muscles fit, have fun, and greatly benefit your social life. Another great thing about sports is that there are so many to choose from, so you are almost guaranteed to find something that is suited to you ! Grab a sport now and have a healthy and drug free living !
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