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Basketball: Health Benefits For Kids

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the USA and offers a myriad of benefits of the children. As a result, many parents are enrolling their kids in the basketball leagues offered by the kids clubs in Texas. Getting your child learn basketball skills at a young age not only develops his basic coordination and team-building skills, but also lay the foundation for a physically active life. The continuous shooting, dribbling, passing and rebounding are a great form of exercise and help the players stay fit.

Given below are some of the health benefits kids can have by enrolling in a basketball league:

Builds Endurance

Basketball is a high intensity sport that can help the players to build endurance and improve cardiovascular health. The running, jumping and dribbling are a good workout for the entire body, which boosts aerobic capacity, energy levels as well as metabolism. Endurance building also keeps the heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart problems later in life.

Improves Strength And Motor Skills

Complete motor control is essential to pass and shoot the ball with precision during the game.  Repetitive practice enables the children to gain more control over their muscle forces and body movements. Strength training exercises are aimed at building deltoids, trapezii, neck, lower back and core muscles so that the player can defend himself when the opponent pushes against him. Shooting and running increase leg strength while dribbling builds up the muscles of hand, arm as well as wrist.

Burns Calories

Playing basketball gives you a high impact aerobics exercise that helps to burn a lot of calories. All the running, jumping and lateral movements involved in the game are a fun way to promote physical activity as well as keep childhood obesity at bay. An hour of basketball can burn around 600 to 900 calories, depending upon the weight of the child and intensity of the game.

Increases Ankle Stability

The game involves several movements that work to increase the strength of the lower limbs. Pivoting, multi-directional running, twisting, back and forth movements etc. employ the muscles, tendons, ligaments as well as other structures surrounding the ankle joint. When kids participate in basketball leagues, they are trained to maintain the stability of the ankle to maintain balance during all these movements. It not only increases joint stability but also reduces the risk of injuries.  

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes different basketball leagues for kids of 2nd to 6th grade. For details about the enrollment procedure, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit the kids club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541. 

Basketball Games For Kids In Texas

Basketball is a popular game among children and adults. It assists in being physically fit, encourages teamwork, develops leadership and communication skills, relieves mental stress and channelizes energy towards a positive goal. Getting your child familiar with basketball at a younger age inculcates a sense of discipline and imparts many essential life skills.

Here are some benefits of enrolling your child in basketball:

  • Physical Activity: Basketball requires a player to be quick and prompt. It involves a lot of jumping, squatting and running. These movements are good cardiovascular workout for improving the physical health of children. Playing basketball also helps to strengthen muscles, improve aerobic capacity, increase flexibility and boost metabolism.
  • Boosts Motor Skills: The dribbling, twisting, throwing and catching involved in basketball uses various muscle groups of the arms, calf and thighs. Thus, the child is able to gain a better control over his limbs and improve motor skills such as hand eye co-ordination.
  • Improves Agility: Basketball is a rapid sport in which players need to be on their feet and take quick decisions about turning or changing directions. Besides physical fitness, the player also becomes mentally agile which, in turn, develops body control and influences movement.
  • Inculcates Self-Discipline: Learning to follow a set of rules and strategies to play basketball inculcates a sense of self-discipline in children. The child learns to follow the coach’s instructions and play the game in a healthy spirit, a quality that helps the child succeed in many other spheres of life.
  • Instills Teamwork: In the game of basketball, all the players need to work together as a group for the team to succeed. Each of them has an equal contribution towards the success of the team. Whether it is about passing the ball, participating in practice sessions or jointly discussing game strategy, children learn the importance of teamwork and the usefulness of this skill for the entire life.
  • Hobby: Learning the sport at a young age can help develop lifelong interest in it. Thus, the child can enjoy playing the game at any age and be physically fit.
Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas offers basketball games for kids in Texas. The club organizes different leagues for kids of various age groups. To know more about the eligibility requirements and enrolment criteria for the basketball programs, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit the club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.