How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain - Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh
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0:07 - 0:10The victory of the underdog over
the favored team. -
0:10 - 0:13The last minute penalty shot
that wins the tournament. -
0:13 - 0:16The high-energy training montages.
-
0:16 - 0:20Many people love to glorify victory
on the playing field, -
0:20 - 0:21cheer for favorite teams,
-
0:21 - 0:23and play sports.
-
0:23 - 0:27But here's a question:
Should we be so obsessed with sports? -
0:27 - 0:30Is playing sports actually as good for us
as we make it out to be, -
0:30 - 0:34or just a fun and entertaining pastime?
-
0:34 - 0:36What does science have to say?
-
0:36 - 0:41First of all, it's well accepted that
exercise is good for our bodies and minds, -
0:41 - 0:42and that's definitely true.
-
0:42 - 0:47Exercising, especially when we're young,
has all sorts of health benefits, -
0:47 - 0:48like strengthening our bones,
-
0:48 - 0:51clearing out bad cholesterol
from our arteries, -
0:51 - 0:56and decreasing the risk of stroke,
high blood pressure, and diabetes. -
0:56 - 0:59Our brains also release a number
of chemicals when we workout, -
0:59 - 1:01including endorphins.
-
1:01 - 1:02These natural hormones,
-
1:02 - 1:06which control pain and pleasure responses
in the cental nervous system, -
1:06 - 1:11can lead to feelings of euphoria,
or, what's often called, a runner's high. -
1:11 - 1:14Increased endorphins and consistent
physical activity in general -
1:14 - 1:18can sharpen your focus
and improve your mood and memory. -
1:18 - 1:22So does that mean we get just as much
benefit going to the gym five days a week -
1:22 - 1:25as we would joining a team and competing?
-
1:25 - 1:28Well, here's where it gets interesting:
-
1:28 - 1:32because it turns out that if you can find
a sport and a team you like, -
1:32 - 1:34studies show that there are all sorts
of benefits -
1:34 - 1:39that go beyond the physical
and mental benefits of exercise alone. -
1:39 - 1:42Some of the most significant
are psychological benefits, -
1:42 - 1:44both in the short and long term.
-
1:44 - 1:48Some of those come from the communal
experience of being on a team, -
1:48 - 1:52for instance, learning to trust
and depend on others, -
1:52 - 1:53to accept help,
-
1:53 - 1:54to give help,
-
1:54 - 1:57and to work together towards
a common goal. -
1:57 - 2:00In addition, commitment to a team
and doing something fun -
2:00 - 2:05can also make it easier to establish
a regular habit of exercise. -
2:05 - 2:08School sport participation
has also been shown -
2:08 - 2:12to reduce the risk of suffering
from depression for up to four years. -
2:12 - 2:16Meanwhile, your self-esteem and confidence
can get a big boost. -
2:16 - 2:18There are a few reasons for that.
-
2:18 - 2:19One is found in training.
-
2:19 - 2:22Just by working and working at skills,
-
2:22 - 2:24especially with a good coach,
-
2:24 - 2:28you reinforce a growth mindset
within yourself. -
2:28 - 2:30That's when you say, "Even if I can't
do something today, -
2:30 - 2:35I can improve myself through practice
and achieve it eventually." -
2:35 - 2:38That mindset is useful
in all walks of life. -
2:38 - 2:40And then there's learning through failure,
-
2:40 - 2:45one of the most transformative,
long-term benefits of playing sports. -
2:45 - 2:48The experience of coming to terms
with defeat can build the resilience -
2:48 - 2:51and self-awareness necessary
to manage academic, -
2:51 - 2:52social,
-
2:52 - 2:54and physical hurdles.
-
2:54 - 2:57So even if your team isn't winning
all the time, or at all, -
2:57 - 2:59there's a real benefit to your experience.
-
2:59 - 3:02Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.
-
3:02 - 3:04Perhaps one team is too competitive,
-
3:04 - 3:06or not competitive enough.
-
3:06 - 3:09It can also take time to find
a sport that plays to your strengths. -
3:09 - 3:11That's completely okay.
-
3:11 - 3:13But if you spend some time looking,
-
3:13 - 3:17you'll be able to find a sport
that fits your individual needs, -
3:17 - 3:20and if you do, there are so many benefits.
-
3:20 - 3:22You'll be a part of
a supportive community, -
3:22 - 3:24you'll be building your confidence,
-
3:24 - 3:26you'll be exercising your body,
-
3:26 - 3:28and you'll be nurturing your mind,
-
3:28 - 3:30not to mention having fun.
- Title:
- How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain - Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh
- Speaker:
- Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh
- Description:
-
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-playing-sports-benefits-your-body-and-your-brain-leah-lagos-and-jaspal-ricky-singh
Made in partnership with the Always #LikeAGirl campaign.
The victory of the underdog. The last minute penalty shot that wins the tournament. The training montage. Many people love to glorify victory on the field, cheer for teams, and play sports. But should we be obsessed with sports? Are sports as good for us as we make them out to be, or are they just a fun and entertaining pastime? Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh show what science has to say on the matter.
Lesson by Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh, animation by Kozmonot Animation Studio.
- Video Language:
- English
- Team:
- closed TED
- Project:
- TED-Ed
- Duration:
- 03:47
Jessica Ruby approved English subtitles for How playing sports benefits your body... and your brain | ||
Jessica Ruby accepted English subtitles for How playing sports benefits your body... and your brain | ||
Jessica Ruby edited English subtitles for How playing sports benefits your body... and your brain | ||
Jennifer Cody edited English subtitles for How playing sports benefits your body... and your brain |