Physiological Benefits

Reduced risk of obesity:

The more active a person is, the more calories the person will burn. Fitness helps in preventing fat to be accumulated in the body and reducing the risk of obesity and obesity-related diseases.

Increased cardiovascular fitness:

The heart is a muscle. And just like other muscles, its performance and endurance improves when regularly challenged with physical exercise. The heart becomes stronger and more efficient when children play sports. A strong heart means a reduced risk of heart disease.

Healthy growth

Physical stress caused by exercise helps muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones to become healthier and stronger. The bone density also increases, reducing the risk of osteoporosis – a condition which makes the bones porous and fragile.

Strengthens lungs

The more you exercise, the more efficient your lungs become, thus increasing their capacity. This means, the lungs start drawing in more oxygen and expelling out more carbon dioxide and other gasses. Regular exercise also helps prevent the decline in oxygen intake that occurs naturally with age or inactivity.

Reduces blood sugar levels

Exercise triggers muscles to use up the sugar in the bloodstream by turning the glucose into energy. This helps in keeping sugar levels down and reduces the risk of developing diabetes.

Regulates blood pressure

Exercise is one of the best remedies to reduce stress levels. As stress goes down, the blood pressure also goes down, reducing the risk of heart disease. Regular sport activities also reduce the amount of harmful cholesterol and fats in the blood, contributing to regulating the blood pressure.

Improves energy levels

Regular exercise makes people more energetic in general and reduces the likelihood of getting tired during the day.

Improves co-ordination and balance

Playing any sport requires some hand-eye and foot-eye co-ordination. As children learn a new sport, their co-ordination and balance improve remarkably.

Helps prevent cancer

Research shows that regular fitness activities lowers the incidence of cancer especially cancers of the colon, prostate, uterine and breast.

Improved sleep

Physical exertion improves sleep quality and duration. It also reduces the risk of developing sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia and restless leg syndrome.

Reduces chronic muscular tension

As muscles expand and contract with regular exercise, they also have a greater physical ability to relax and recover. Thus, chronic muscular tensions such as headache, back ache, etc. are avoided.

Creates happiness

Physical stimulation releases beta-endorphins, a substance hundred times more potent than morphine. It also increases the levels of serotonin in the central nervous system causing an increase in appetite, and the feeling of well-being. Serotonin also reduces mental depression. The loss in weight through exercise further accentuates the feeling of happiness.