How Do Sports Affect Your Body?

Sports have been a significant part of many American lives, from tossing a beanbag onto a board to racing a 50-meter sprint. As a child, I participated in various school-offered and club sports, such as basketball, softball, tennis, swimming, ballet, and even horseback riding. Despite my short acquaintance with many of these activities, I learned how different sports can alter your feelings, body, and mindset; this has passed through onto my teenage years. 

Fitness is one of the driving factors for many adults (and teens) to get into sports. Depending on the type of exercise it offers, playing sports up to three or four times a week could be majorly beneficial for health and a significant source of cardio. While sports like swimming test endurance (and patience), others like tennis and badminton focus on the strength of specific muscles. Diving deeper, how does each sport impact the body?

In Olympic swimming, many of the athletes showcased have lean and built figures that adapt to the environment they are in while they swim. Although being too muscular builds drag in the water, many swimmers adapted to having a higher body fat percentage caused by their bodies reacting to the long hours spent in cool water. Additionally, different strokes can also be factors contributing to the shaping of one’s body. Regular breaststroke can eliminate thigh fat, while backstroke strengthens your shoulders and back. Perseverance while swimming for long periods can enhance bodily features as you burn calories throughout a swim. 

Although swimming is just a branch of the never-ending changes that sports can do for someone, sports can change bodies in various ways. Whether it is just a quick hour-long swim or a couple of days of committing yourself to shooting hoops, sports can make a huge difference in your body.