- Improves cardiovascular fitness - Dr Sam Botchey, consultant in musculoskeletal, sport, and exercise Medicine at HCA UK, said football challenges “the heart and lungs at different intensities” which can “improve your cardiovascular fitness significantly.”
- Strengthens muscles and bones - Football “loads the body in multiple directions”, making it “great for all of your muscles, tendons and bones,” Botchey said.
- Improves balance and coordination - Botchey added: “Playing football is also really useful for developing neuromuscular control, confidence in your movement and proprioception”.
- Teaches resilience - “You learn resilience that you only get from learning what loss feels like and learning how to recover from mistakes,” Botchey said.
- Fosters social connection - “Football is a social currency which brings people together,” said Danny Potter, football coaching and performance programme lead at the University of Chichester.
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