If you are a fitness freak, lifting heavy weights in a gym, jogging, sprinting on a treadmill or attending aerobic classes may be a part of your daily routine. However, have you ever thought of including basketball to your list of workouts. This competitive sport is an enjoyable and effective alternative to most traditional exercises that physical trainers recommend to the clients. Whether you are trying shoot the ball into the hoops by yourself or part of a popular basketball team on the court, this sport can go a long way in keeping you fit and in shape.
Anju Vallabhaneni – Health benefits of Playing Basket Ball
Anju Vallabhaneni is the former Chief Executive Officer of United Software Group, Inc. and an ardent basketball enthusiast. He points out the following health benefits of including basketball in your daily fitness routine:
- Enhances your body’s motor skills
In basketball, your objective is the shoot the ball into your opponent team’s hoop as many times as you can. You may not consider this to be a difficult thing to do. However, while doing it, your body burns lots of calories and hand-eye coordination improves. Even while catching the ball on the rebound when you miss a shot requires you to observe the movements of the ball and jump at the right moment. Dribbling is another key aspect of basketball that helps you to develop your motor skills.
- Strengthens core body muscles
In basketball, you need to do a lot of jumping either to shot the ball into your opponent team’s hoop or catch it on rebound when you miss a shot. You have to also continuously run while dribbling the ball your opponent’s half or coming back to repossess it in your own. During the game to need to maintain your position even the members of the opponent team try to push you aside to gain possession of the ball. These movements go a long way in improving the core muscles of your lower back, upper limbs and neck.
- Enhances your mental abilities
Basketball is a highly-competitive game where you need to constantly react quickly and accurately to what is happening around you. You need to observe the positions of your own teammates and opponents in to anticipate their subsequent moves. This goes a long way in enhancing your mental alertness so the you can take the best course of action that benefits your team. It helps to improve your decision-making abilities in daily life.
- Minimizes your stress levels
Basketball is a team game, which enables you to socialize with members of your own team and people you are playing against. This goes a long way in reducing your stress levels and boosting your body’s immune system. In addition to this, as your ability to throw the ball into the hoop improves and you become a valuable member of your team, your self-confidence increases.
Anju Vallabhaneni says diversifying your exercise routine can go a long way in making it fun. Including basketball in your workout in one way of achieving this goal. It can help you to lose calories, improve your mental alertness, enhance your core muscles and boost your confidence.