How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain - Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh — Transcript

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1. 0:06The victory of the underdog over the favored team.
2. 0:10The last minute penalty shot that wins the tournament.
3. 0:13The high-energy training montages.
4. 0:16Many people love to glorify victory on the playing field,
5. 0:19cheer for favorite teams,
6. 0:21and play sports.
7. 0:22But here's a question: Should we be so obsessed with sports?
8. 0:26Is playing sports actually as good for us as we make it out to be,
9. 0:30or just a fun and entertaining pastime?
10. 0:33What does science have to say?
11. 0:36First of all, it's well accepted that exercise is good for our bodies and minds,
12. 0:40and that's definitely true.
13. 0:42Exercising, especially when we're young, has all sorts of health benefits,
14. 0:46like strengthening our bones,
15. 0:48clearing out bad cholesterol from our arteries,
16. 0:51and decreasing the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
17. 0:55Our brains also release a number of chemicals when we workout,
18. 0:58including endorphins.
19. 1:00These natural hormones,
20. 1:02which control pain and pleasure responses in the cental nervous system,
21. 1:05can lead to feelings of euphoria, or, what's often called, a runner's high.
22. 1:10Increased endorphins and consistent physical activity in general
23. 1:14can sharpen your focus and improve your mood and memory.
24. 1:18So does that mean we get just as much benefit going to the gym five days a week
25. 1:22as we would joining a team and competing?
26. 1:24Well, here's where it gets interesting:
27. 1:27because it turns out that if you can find a sport and a team you like,
28. 1:32studies show that there are all sorts of benefits
29. 1:34that go beyond the physical and mental benefits of exercise alone.
30. 1:38Some of the most significant are psychological benefits,
31. 1:41both in the short and long term.
32. 1:44Some of those come from the communal experience of being on a team,
33. 1:47for instance, learning to trust and depend on others,
34. 1:51to accept help,
35. 1:53to give help,
36. 1:54and to work together towards a common goal.
37. 1:56In addition, commitment to a team and doing something fun
38. 2:00can also make it easier to establish a regular habit of exercise.
39. 2:04School sport participation has also been shown
40. 2:07to reduce the risk of suffering from depression for up to four years.
41. 2:11Meanwhile, your self-esteem and confidence can get a big boost.
42. 2:16There are a few reasons for that.
43. 2:17One is found in training.
44. 2:19Just by working and working at skills,
45. 2:22especially with a good coach,
46. 2:24you reinforce a growth mindset within yourself.
47. 2:27That's when you say, "Even if I can't do something today,
48. 2:30I can improve myself through practice and achieve it eventually."
49. 2:34That mindset is useful in all walks of life.
50. 2:38And then there's learning through failure,
51. 2:40one of the most transformative, long-term benefits of playing sports.
52. 2:44The experience of coming to terms with defeat can build the resilience
53. 2:48and self-awareness necessary to manage academic,
54. 2:51social,
55. 2:52and physical hurdles.
56. 2:53So even if your team isn't winning all the time, or at all,
57. 2:56there's a real benefit to your experience.
58. 2:59Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.
59. 3:01Perhaps one team is too competitive,
60. 3:04or not competitive enough.
61. 3:06It can also take time to find a sport that plays to your strengths.
62. 3:09That's completely okay.
63. 3:11But if you spend some time looking,
64. 3:13you'll be able to find a sport that fits your individual needs,
65. 3:17and if you do, there are so many benefits.
66. 3:20You'll be a part of a supportive community,
67. 3:22you'll be building your confidence,
68. 3:24you'll be exercising your body,
69. 3:26and you'll be nurturing your mind,
70. 3:27not to mention having fun.