Avoiding sedentary lifestyles, protecting your health from risk factors, regulating your metabolism, controlling your weight, and investing in wellness. There are a number of benefits of physical activity. This practice can be even better if the sports are practiced outdoors.
Why? Here are some explanations:
1. It allows you to increase flexibility and coordination. Training outdoors can be challenging: uneven floors, people and vehicles moving, auditory, visual and olfactory distractions, and varying weather conditions. There are slopes and irregularities on the land that will force us to change our pace as we go.
It may all seem like negative aspects, but in practice, it can be beneficial because it exercises the body for flexibility and resilience. In addition, in older people, it improves skills and helps muscles adapt better to daily movements. As a result, bone density improves.
2. Improved quality of life. It may not be the cleanest air, but practicing outdoors makes breathing easier and improves lung efficiency. Breathing pure oxygen nourishes the cells and helps us fight diseases and disconnect from everyday life.
3. Reduced stress levels. Practicing sports outdoors allows you to release energy and reduce accumulated tensions. The body relaxes more while being in open environments with better air circulation. When you are able to choose, practicing in natural spaces such as parks, beaches and mountains is the best option. Natural environments offer relaxation and physical and emotional well-being.
4. Increased vitamin D levels. If we take advantage of the hours of sunshine to train outdoors, in suitable and recommendable conditions, we will be able to activate the production of vitamin D in our organism, which is essential for many aspects of our health. However, it is important to pay attention to hydration and avoid radiation with sunscreen.
Before starting to train, it is recommended to consult a professional or a sports center. There are several options that can be used for a healthy sports practice.
UNIB offers the Master in Physical Activity: Sports Training and Management
Sources: 10 benefits of outdoor sports
Why playing sports outdoors can be better than training at the gym
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