Regular physical activity does your body a world of good. Not only does it improve your physical health, but it boosts your mental health, too. Here are some of the main health benefits of sports.
1. Sports Help You Lose Weight
As many experts will tell you, if you want to lose weight, a healthy diet will only get you so far. To achieve optimum results, you need to pair it up with exercise. Several studies have found that engaging in sports on a regular basis boosts your metabolic rate. This in turn helps your body burn calories in a more efficient matter. You need anywhere between 150 to 300 hours of physical activity per week to get the best results.
2. Sports Also Help You Maintain Your Weight
Your work isn’t done the moment you’ve finally dropped those extra pounds. Now you have to make sure to maintain your current weight and prevent any further weight gains. One of the top health benefits of sports is that they can help you do this. Regular exercise helps maintain your muscle mass, as well as a steady metabolic rate.
3. Sports Protect You from Chronic Diseases
Physical activity increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin and improves your overall coronary health. In doing so, it also helps you get rid of built-up fats and regulate your blood pressure. As such, it can protect you from type 2 diabetes, heart failure, as well as premature death.
4. Sports Are Good for Your Brain, Too
Engaging in sports on a regular basis is essential for the growth of the hippocampus. This part of the brain is in charge of your ability to learn and memorize things. As such, physical activity can protect you from cognitive decline that develops as you age. Moreover, it also plays an important part in the prevention of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Final Word
These are only a few of the many health benefits of sports. To keep your body and your brain strong and healthy, it’s time to get physical. Take up a sport you like and put your body to work. Also, there’s no need to go overboard. Only five hours of exercise each week is enough to feel the positive effects.
