Health Benefits of Playing Football: What Are the Pros and Cons?

More information on soccer

Is soccer good for your health? Is it a good sport for everyone? Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, here’s a list of the benefits and problematics you may encounter when playing soccer.

TOP 4 health benefits of soccer

Soccer offers a range of benefits, including:

1. Improved cardiovascular fitness, endurance and breathing
2. Increased speed, coordination and dexterity
3. Increased muscle tone and bone strength
4. Strengthened team spirit

What are the drawbacks of playing soccer?

Although soccer has many virtues for physical and mental health, amateurs and professionals alike are not immune to soccer-related injuries. Soccer players are particularly exposed to injuries of varying severity, such as cramps, sprains, fractures, strains and tendonitis. To limit these injuries, a pre-match warm-up is essential. Moreover, it has been observed that the number of injuries after a goal, for example, increases, hence the importance of remaining focused and vigilant throughout a match. Last but not least, a good post-exercise recovery will help you avoid muscular pain, tendonitis and cramps.

Tips and information on playing soccer!

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. Whether in the playground, on the beach or on the grass, who hasn’t tried playing soccer at least once? Simple and accessible to all, soccer appeals to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

Although it wasn’t officially recognized until the end of the 19th century in Great Britain, the oldest form of soccer, known as “cuju”, was invented in China around 2500 BC. Similar ball games, such as “pok ta pok” among the Mayans and “haspartum” or “soûle” in Europe, were already played all over the world.

Soccer pits two teams of 11 players against each other. Each player occupies a position on the pitch: striker, midfielder, defender, goalkeeper. A soccer match consists of two 45-minute periods separated by a 15-minute break. Additional time is added to the official duration to compensate for stoppages in play.