Sports
Provide Far-Reaching Benefits
The
benefits of participating in sports for girls and women, according
to the National Women's Health Information Center, include these:
For
girls, research has shown that participation in sports and physical
activities:
- Helps develop
skills in leadership and team building
- Reduces risks
of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis
- Boosts mental
health, self-confidence, and self-esteem
- Reduces the
risks of dropping out of school, taking up smoking or becoming
pregnant as a teen
- Increases
the likelihood of getting good grades and going to college
- Increases
the likelihood of developing good health habits and getting hooked
on exercise
For
women, sports and regular physical activity:
- Are a good
stress reducer and form of weight control
- Provide opportunity
for positive social interactions and support
- Decrease
the likelihood of obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, stroke,
certain cancers, and other problems
- Help reduce
the symptoms or severity of conditions such as diabetes and arthritis
- Reduce feelings
of fatigue and increase energy levels
- Reduce feelings
of depression and anxiety
- Increase
strength and endurance
- Improve flexibility,
mobility and coordination
Resources for Sports Benefits...
National
Women's Health Information Center
800-994-WOMAN
www.4woman.org/
Women's
Sports Foundation
800-227-3988
http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/
Choose
to Move/BetterU campaign
888-MY-HEART
http://www.goredforwomen.org/BetterU/index.aspx
Disabled
Sports USA
301-217-0960
www.dsusa.org/
See also ...
A
Long and Healthy Life: It's Your Choice
If
You Decide to Join a Health Club
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