Making the Case For Soccer In Your Later Years

You may not be Modric or Salah but that doesn’t mean soccer is completely off the table for you. If you’re wondering whether soccer is still playable at your age, fear not! The game of soccer is especially beneficial to adults over 50 in ways you wouldn’t think possible. It’s important to know your limitations, but with soccer’s many positive impacts on our health, both physically and mentally, it’s a great recreational hobby.

Soccer is Self-Care?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adult men and women, stemming from high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Results from a Danish study revealed that soccer training significantly helps improve heart function and lowers both of the key factors that contribute to heart disease. The study also showed that oxygen uptake increased by 15 percent, muscle function by 30 percent, bone mineralization by 2 percent, and performance increased by 50 percent just by playing soccer for two hours, every week for four months. Thanks to stronger and smarter muscles, the shift in body composition helps to lessen the chances of falls, hip fractures, and other debilitating injuries.

A Game of Brains?

There are those who think soccer is strictly a mental game. By looking at our brains and how they work, neuroscientists are attempting to discover how to condition minds to achieve better skills. But in the here and now, we know for a fact that inside our brains is a neurotransmitter called oxytocin, which relieves stress, anxiety, and is known to lessen the signs of depression. Out of 34 million Americans ages 65 and older, 2 million have depression. It’s been found that oxytocin is released during positive social interactions, and since soccer is one of the most interactive sports on the planet, a social moment is bound to happen whether on or off the field. Soccer leaves one not only satisfied with his workout but also with his sense of camaraderie.

Cost Effective Way To Keep You Going

Another worry that could plague those wondering whether to give soccer a try could be the cost. Thankfully, this is another positive aspect of soccer—being one of the more cost-efficient sports to keep you healthy and frugal. Tennis, for example, requires tennis balls, rackets, and courts to play on (which usually include a fee). Baseball requires bats, balls, gloves, and a considerably big area. Soccer in its most basic form only asks that you have a properly inflated soccer ball and a little space. A stretch of concrete in the backyard or the wide fields at the park are just a few of the ready-made spots to practice your dribbling or passing.

When most people think of soccer, they think of extremely skilled and fairly young athletes in peak condition. However, the reality is that soccer can be played by anyone of any age. All you need is the ball, a pair of shoes, and the will power. Fighting illnesses or just trying to get your blood pumping has never been more fun than with a simple game of soccer.