The Effects of Soccer on Health

From dusty streets to professional stadiums, soccer's magnetic pull draws together countless hearts across the globe. Without a doubt, it is one of the most popular sports in the entire world. This is because soccer can be played practically anywhere you can think of: backyards, parks, streets, and stadiums. During a soccer match, players work their bodies to the maximum, engaging in a variety of physical activities like jumping, sprinting, shooting, and dribbling for a full ninety minutes. Soccer has a great impact not only on physical health but also on mental well-being.

This essay explores how soccer contributes to both these aspects of health, drawing on personal experiences and research studies.

Physical Health Benefits

Years ago, I traveled with some of my family members to Kansas City, Missouri, to watch Mexico’s national soccer team play against Paraguay. At that time, I had no clue how demanding the sport was on a player's body and mind. Soccer and its effects on health are still being studied today. There is a wealth of evidence indicating that soccer is excellent for physical health. It helps lower body fat, improve muscle strength, and enhance flexibility. Research has shown that players perform between 150 and 250 high-intensity actions during a game, which uses a significant amount of energy (Krustrup, 2006). This activity keeps players' heart rates elevated, providing excellent cardiovascular exercise.

During a soccer game, players run a total of six to nine miles, with two to four miles covered by high-paced running and nearly half a mile by quick, short sprints (Bradley, 2009; Mohr, Krustrup & Bangsbo, 2003; Mohr, 2016). Each player performs between 1,100 and 1,400 short bursts of movement, with an average change of activity every four to six seconds (Mohr, 2003). These movements build up players' endurance and coordination. Body coordination is improved through compound movements like dribbling, turning, and passing, which are performed at high speeds and varying directions. Hand-eye coordination is enhanced when players either kick the ball or receive a pass from their teammates. The better the players' coordination, the smoother they will perform during a game.

Furthermore, soccer increases bone strength over time. For most people, bone density decreases as they age, but the repeated weight-bearing activities in soccer help develop a strong skeletal frame. Continuing soccer throughout your lifetime ensures healthy and robust bones. Additionally, playing soccer continually lowers body fat and improves muscle tone. Soccer is excellent for burning fat because it works the muscles and heart in unique ways. It builds more muscle mass and burns more fat by using both slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscle fibers. Playing soccer burns more calories than typical workouts because it requires players to switch between using aerobic and anaerobic energy. Aerobic means "with oxygen," which involves the use of oxygen in muscles. Anaerobic exercise is fueled by energy created through glycolysis, where glycogen is broken down and transformed into energy. Examples of anaerobic exercises for a soccer player include jumping and sprinting.

Mental Health Advantages

Improvement of physical health is only one of the benefits you gain from playing soccer; mental health also sees significant improvements. The experience of failing and trying again in soccer, whether in a game or during training, provides a learning process that translates well into achieving better academic success. A controlled longitudinal study found that adolescents who participated in sports showed improved grade point averages, increased attachment to school, and were more likely to attend college (Larson, Reed, and Sean Seepersad). Teenagers who maintain sports throughout their lives learn that the skills they acquire while practicing sports carry over into other areas of life.

I can personally attest to this, as playing soccer over the past few years has helped me grow socially and mentally. I became more active in soccer games and improved my reaction times; I was ready to slide tackle the opponent and intercept the ball as they came running towards me. In academic settings, such as math class, I noticed I began solving equations faster and was more focused during class time. Growing up, I was a quiet and shy kid. However, the nature of the game forced me to engage actively—whether attempting to score a goal or making a crucial pass. As my confidence developed, I became bolder and more outgoing in other aspects of life.

Soccer also fosters creative decision-making. The ability to come up with creative solutions is essential for expert performance in sports. In soccer, for example, an attribute of high-performance players is the ability to surprise opponents with their decision-making processes under time constraints. This allows them to be more effective in unique performance situations and makes it more challenging for opponents to predict their next move (Roca A, Ford PR, Memmert D, 2018). This is true in my opinion; many people think soccer doesn’t require much skill and that you just need to kick the ball. However, they are mistaken. Soccer challenges you to think and act quickly. You need to be a smart player in the decisions you make, ensuring you don’t cause a mistake or miss a goal opportunity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, soccer is much more than a game; it is a sport that offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. The rigorous physical demands of the game improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and enhance coordination. Moreover, the mental challenges and social interactions involved in soccer contribute to cognitive development and personal growth. As the world continues to embrace soccer, its impact on health and well-being becomes increasingly evident. Whether played casually or professionally, soccer remains a powerful tool for enhancing our lives in multifaceted ways.

Did you like this example?

702

29