The FIFA World Cup got underway yesterday in Qatar, and for the next 28 days, the eyes of the globe will be trained on the strongest and most athletic feet in the world as 32 nations compete for the world’s top prize in soccer. And as the USA Men’s team prepares for their opening round contest against Wales later today, we thought we’d use today’s stage to showcase some of the health benefits that soccer has for your feet and your whole body.
How Soccer Helps Your Feet
Soccer is one of the few sports where the feet take center stage instead of your arms or your hands, which is why at the professional level, the sport is oftentimes simply referred to as the beautiful game. But whether you’re playing at the professional level or on an 8-year-old club team, the sport can do wonders for your feet and your whole body. Here’s a look at all the ways soccer can help improve your health.
Muscle Strengthening – If should come as no surprise that soccer is great for developing the muscles in your feet and ankles. You’ll have stronger muscles if you’re regularly running, cutting, jumping and moving during soccer games and practices.
Balance – You may also find that you’re more balanced and coordinated on your feet if you’re strengthening your muscles and joints while playing soccer.
Weight Management – Being obese or overweight puts extra strain on your feet, which can lead to injuries and other problems. Soccer can be a great form of exercise to help you burn calories and work towards a healthier weight, in turn taking pressure off your feet.
Proprioception Improvements – Proprioception is a term used to describe our brain’s ability to recognize our body’s location relative to the space around it. As you might imagine, as you become stronger and more in tune with your feet, this proprioceptive connection between your brain and your feet improves.
Blood Pressure And Cholesterol Improvements – While not isolated to the sport of soccer, being active and seeking out regular athletic exercise has been shown to help lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol.
Reduce Anxiety – In a world that has seemingly become more stressful and anxiety-ridden, soccer and regular exercise can be a wonderful way to help alleviate anxiety and manage different forms of stress in your life.
Improved Sleep – Moderate intensity physical activity is physically exhausting for the body, and it can help make it easier to fall asleep and achieve restful sleep each night.
Soccer can be wonderful for your feet and your whole body, but as you are probably aware, it can also lead to injuries. Ankle sprains are the most common injury among soccer players, and these injuries need to be taken seriously. Left untreated, ankle ligament damage can linger and leave you susceptible to future sprains and even fractures. It’s imperative that you seek treatment for ankle sprains or any other injuries you pick up along the way. That said, the potential benefits of the sport far outweigh the risks of a foot injury, so go out there and play, and go Team USA!
