Monday Motivation: Basketball and its physical and mental effects

From the top left going clockwise, Jamie Weiser, Kelsey Taveras, Rachel Rands, Gabrielle Moya, Cooper Isbell, Melissa Boulos, and Leslie De La Guardia.

Nihat Strider/Staff Writer

Playing basketball is a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Expert studies have proven performing cardiovascular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Playing one hour of basketball burns 630 to 750 calories. If you are determined to lose weight or want to stay healthy, basketball is a great sport to aid in your weight loss or health goals.

Physical movements required to play this game improve bone health. New bone tissue are formed over time when the weight-bearing basketball is dribbled across the court during the rigorous game, increasing the strength of the bones.

The game provides an exemplary total body workout. The attributes of the game include strength training that results in lean and strong muscles. When someone is playing strong defense, they have to have strong stance when the opponent is pushing and trying to pass through. The entire body goes on defense mode and the muscles tense for strength.

Playing strong defense will work the deltoid, traps, lower back, upper back and core muscles. Dribbling and shooting the ball works out the entire arm muscles and also the shoulder joints. Powering through the entire court during the game does a tremendous workout for the entire leg muscles.

Two important bodily skills are acquired by playing basketball: balance and coordination; the body learns how to balance itself and maintain a strong posture. This ability is a great trait that is used during our daily lives. Standing and sitting with a good posture develops a healthy spinal cord. You are constantly being pushed and tackled by your opponent. The spinal cord in addition to the entire body trains itself to maintain a strong posture and hold balance.

The second skill earned is hand-eye coordination. You are either dribbling the ball to pass through the court or to a teammate and while also trying to make the shot in the basket. Constantly, the hand and the movements has to match the eye coordination. This sends strong and fast signals to the brain cells to react fast and efficiently.

Research has shown basketball has not only physical but mental development as well. Players have to go through the mental process of quickly assessing what is happening on the court and react immediately and efficiently. This constant efficient decision making helps us develop our brain cells. On a game of chess we use strong minds in order to win. In basketball we have to use both strength of physical and mental to make that winning score.

Playing basketball also increases your confidence and self esteem. Scoring shots and making game points will truly boost your confidence. Often, when you play basketball, especially for a college intramural team, there is a large crowd. When the brain hears the cheer it quickly adapts itself and sets up to go for the win. This phenomenon increases brain power.

Nowadays we depend on technology, which is great, but sometimes we indulge ourselves in the virtual worlds of social media too much. Playing physical sports with people will enhance our interpersonal skills, enhancing our ability to work well in groups. All that is needed to play the game is a single basketball and a hoop. You can ask your friends or neighbors to join you!

A lot of companies have started offering employee bonuses for staying healthy and fit. They often have in house corporate gymnasiums and company sports teams. This is because the company knows keeping their employee healthy is in their best interest, it will not only save them healthcare money but they will have physically and mentally fit employees.

FIU offers intramural sports to all students. The intramural basketball team is facilitated by the FIU Wellness & Recreation Center. All you need is to bring your Panther ID and you will be able to play for a team. The administration lets you either create a team or join an existing team. Yes, these games are played for competition but they are very friendly. You will get to meet many students who are active that stay healthy and fit together.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a basketball, make a team and start playing