Soccer is a great sport that your kids need to play, and if you're hesitant about enrolling your kids in a local soccer league, the reasons below might convince you to do so.
Children who acquire healthy physical activity habits have a greater potential to maintain these habits into adulthood, as research shows that “physical activity improves heart health, enhances bone and muscle strength, and helps maintain a healthy weight,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. DC" (CDC).
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans also recommend that children ages 6 to 17 get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Physical activity improves heart health and helps maintain a healthy weight (pixels)
Studies: Football practice, prevention and treatment
A recent study conducted by the British University of Exeter concluded that playing football in adolescents improves the growth of their bones.
This study, which was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, compared the health status of 116 boys, aged 12 to 14, who were soccer players, swimmers and cyclists, with another group of children who did not participate in any sport.
A study based on previous research also reported that recreational soccer players had lower cholesterol, blood pressure, resting heart rate, and body fat mass, compared to those who did not exercise.
The study team wrote in the British Journal of Sports Medicine that football may benefit health to the same extent as the practice of other sports such as running, and has social, motivational and competitive benefits.
Running while playing football has a positive effect on cardiovascular health (Shutterstock)
Benefits of playing soccer for your child
A report published by the "Sportsver" website confirms that there are many reasons why your child should play football, including:
1. Improve cardiovascular health
Running while playing soccer has a positive effect on cardiovascular health, which provides important benefits for a child that will continue into his adult life.
2. Improve coordination skill
Playing soccer improves coordination of body movements, even in children who do not have these skills, as the child runs, kicks the ball and dribbles at the same time.
3. Football is a relatively safe sport
Football is a safe sport compared to violent sports such as hockey, and injuries are generally few.
4. Football teaches perseverance
Football cannot be played without learning something about perseverance. Children who have never played this sport before start learning how to kick, shoot, pass, etc.
5. Football teaches social skills
Playing football forces children to interact with different people, including children of their own age, coaches and referees.
6. Football is an excellent way for children to make friends
Football gives a great social benefit as well as it makes it easier for children to make friends.
7. Football teaches kids healthy competition
It doesn't matter if your child's team wins or loses;
Where children always go home and relax and forget the game, which is important for the child to understand, that the point is not the victory, but the exercise itself.
If your children are on a local soccer team, you have the opportunity to help train them (Shutterstock)
8. Children playing outside
Convincing children to play outside is becoming increasingly difficult;
Video games are getting more and more interesting.
Football offers a possible solution to this problem.
9. Football strengthens the bond between parent and child
Every football match for your children is an opportunity for you to encourage them;
Every time you compliment a good move or try to score a goal, you get closer to your child.