Regular sports activities are vital for a healthy lifestyle. Modern youth should participate in active sports to lead a healthy way of life, which is all about maintaining a healthy weight, improving bone health, breaking free from bad habits, etc. Those involved in regular physical activity are fit, feel better, and stay healthier. It is reported that the earlier students start participating in active sports, the more they will reduce their risk of various health problems.
Not only parents are responsible for teaching youth how to lead a healthy way of life. Educational institutions should also attach great importance to the physical well-being of students by integrating regular sports activities into the curriculum. This will help students make healthy choices and break from unhealthy habits, be it drinking, smoking, or unhealthy eating. Integrating the right amount of sport is one of the best things schools and colleges can do to ensure healthy living for their students. In a nutshell, schools should focus on increasing opportunities for students to participate in active sports. Below, there are some health benefits that active sports offer young people:
- Strengthen the heart
Those participating in active sports have a lower risk of heart disease, for a reason. As is commonly known, the heart is a muscle and thus regular sports activities can improve heart health by strengthening the muscle.
- Keep blood vessels clear
There is evidence indicating that regular physical load controls cholesterol levels in students’ blood. Moreover, it makes blood vessels more flexible and lowers blood pressure reducing the risk of stroke in youth.
- Increase lung capacity
Participating in active sports is known to increase lung capacity. Due to this, students’ bodies receive more oxygen and expel more waste gases. Playing sports prevents a decline in oxygen consumption that normally occurs as a result of sedentary life.
- Lower blood sugar levels
Students who participate in active sports are at a lower risk of developing diabetes. Physical activity helps to reduce blood sugar levels by making muscles use more glucose for energy.
- Prevent cancer
Regular exercise lowers the risk of breast, prostate, colon, and uterine cancer.
- Maintain a healthy weight
When students lead a sedentary lifestyle, they are more likely to consume too many calories that, however, are known to accumulate as body fat. Students who participate in active sports and thus lead an active, yet positive lifestyle are usually fit mainly because their bodies use stored fat for energy.
- Strengthen bones and muscles
When physically stressed, bones and muscles grow stronger. Students who regularly exercise have more chances than others to keep their skeletons healthy and strong for a longer time. Therefore, they are less likely to develop osteoporosis in later years.
Why it is Important to Increase Physical Opportunities for Students
In addition to the information mentioned above, participating in active sports is a perfect way to switch off from the stressful student life that oftentimes is all about doing homework, looking for a paper writing service, preparing for exams, and so forth. Truth be told, exercise helps students unwind and combat their anxiety. Many athlete students admit that they would probably go crazy or develop bad habits like smoking or drinking without attending sports sessions at least two times a week.
Because active sports stimulate students’ bodies to deliver more oxygen to their muscles through their blood and make them feel more energized, the benefits of attending sports sections also include providing more energy that students need for accomplishing their homework tasks and managing their busy school schedule easier.
Nevertheless, some students assume that playing sports requires much energy and those, who feel tired after school, decide not to play sports simply because they think that after playing sports, they will be left exhausted. However, such a belief was proved to be wrong. This is when compulsory sports in school can do the trick!
Given the said, participating in active sports has a lot of health benefits for youth. Except for bringing both physical and emotional pleasure, sports activities promote a positive lifestyle for students. It is also suggested that athlete students are less likely to engage in risky behavior when they attend sports sections in school. A recent study shows that students who don’t play sports in college are almost 50% more likely to do drugs.
It is hard to involve students in sports without physical education, though. And except for sports sessions in schools, students need safe walkways and bike boulevards, a lot of playgrounds and access to community centers where they can spend their free time playing instead of loafing around with their friends after school. Also, students should be provided with access to sports events and various fitness programs that are both engaging and challenging to keep them interested.
