| Besides being a fun team sport, soccer provides a | | | | pumping all that blood around your body. Running has |
| great way to get in shape. If you have trouble | | | | also been proven to lower the risk of heart attack |
| sticking to a dedicated exercise regime but enjoy the | | | | and decrease blood pressure. |
| camaraderie of team sports, soccer may be a good | | | | Strength and flexibility: chasing your opponent, |
| choice for you. Local soccer leagues are typically | | | | blasting the ball for a goal and jumping for headers |
| easy to find and in a pinch you can always get a | | | | are all exercises that build strength in your legs. |
| group of your friends together for a game on a | | | | Practicing those throw-ins so that you can get some |
| weekend. | | | | real distance and you'll notice your arms and |
| Throughout the course of a 90-minute game, a | | | | shoulders will begin to show some tone and definition. |
| typical soccer player (the goalie being the exception | | | | And since you'll be moving forwards, backwards and |
| here) may cover 4 to 5 miles. Of course, not the | | | | sideways, you need to make sure you stretch |
| entire duration of the game is spent at full throttle. | | | | before and after the game to prevent painful muscle |
| You'll walk, jog, sprint and backpedal to achieve this | | | | pulls (hamstring and groin pulls are not comfortable!) |
| distance. The point is, you are moving constantly. | | | | and cramping. |
| Now let's discuss what this activity does for you. | | | | General well-being: Running and other forms of |
| Weight loss: running burns more calories per minute | | | | aerobic exercise trigger your brain to release |
| than almost any other form of exercise. So it is an | | | | endorphins, chemicals responsible for a feeling of |
| effective way to lose weight. While running, body's | | | | euphoria. Spend some time running around the soccer |
| energy demands are higher which in turn results in | | | | pitch and you'll feel really good at the end of the |
| improved metabolism. | | | | game. All that exercise is a great stress-reliever. |
| Cardiovascular health: walking and running strengthen | | | | As you can see, there are multiple health benefits of |
| your cardiovascular system, improve circulation, and | | | | playing soccer. You'll improve your cardiovascular |
| increase your lung capacity. Your muscles require | | | | system, strengthen and tone your muscles and you |
| more oxygen while you run and your lungs will use | | | | can even have a positive effect on your state of |
| more of their capacity to meet your body's need. | | | | mind. |
| Your heart and arteries will also get a workout | | | | |