Notoriously, during adolescence the time devoted to sport decreases, with higher rates of inactivity among university students. Practicing physical activity, on the other hand, generates numerous beneficial effects, on a motor, cognitive and relational level.
For these reasons, participation in sports should be encouraged and promoted, ensuring the availability of suitable structures and reducing the barriers that students encounter in practicing it: we talked about it with Prof. Vincenzo Salini, Ordinary of Diseases of the UniSR Locomotor System and Director of the Orthopedics and Traumatology Division of San Raffaele Hospital, Prof. Anna Ogliari, UniSR Clinical Psychology Associate, Specialist in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapist, and Dr. Ilaria Polenghi, UniSR Clinical Psychology Resident, she herself a coach and former Twirling athlete (bronze medal in the 2014 European Cup).
Practicing physical activity regularly and consistently has a very important role in modulating in a positive way the mood and self-efficacy with the consequent reduction of anxiety and depression traits, as underlined by the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP).
In fact, motor activity increases the release of endorphins that produce analgesic and exciting effects that affect mood. Consequently, this helps to increase self-esteem and self-confidence, to acquire new skills, to face challenges and to have a better awareness of one's body. Additionally, some studies have shown positive effects on cognitive functions, such as short-term and long-term memory.
Let's not forget that practicing sports is also an important moment of socialization; creates a sense of belonging, helps develop team-work skills. It often creates bonds that are maintained over the years.
High physical activity has been associated with better mental health, especially among adolescents.
One study evaluated the impact of a 10-minute session of physical activity on attention compared to a sedentary lifestyle, in a population of physically active students. The conclusion is that 10 minutes of running during a break in the study can be more refreshing than sedentary activities, and that they increase arousal and visual attention. Since the latter is relevant to cognitive processes, the effect can be of practical importance. Other studies have also shown that exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and helps build neuronal connections, thus facilitating concentration and memory.
The right hours of rest are essential, in addition to mental activity, to avoid injuries. Giving the right space to exercises that improve proprioception [the ability to perceive the position of one's body and limbs in space, Editor's note] is important to prevent distortions.
Regularly practicing a sporting activity, in particular an aerobic type, better in the evening and morning hours, drinking to replenish losses, is also a powerful ally to manage anxiety and reduce stress, when the exercise is performed at low or medium intensity.
In the literature, a strong relationship has been demonstrated between practicing sports and greater self-efficacy, better study organization and anxiety management before an exam. Research has shown that athletes tend to have better academic performances and lower dropout rates than sedentary students. It should be emphasized that the first fundamental requirement to maximize the psychological benefits of exercise is the enjoyment of those who practice it, an element that is often underestimated when one thinks of sport as a mere performance.
Feeling insecure about your body is a very common condition and often increased by social pressure. The perception of the body image is closely linked to the concept of self-confidence. Therefore, the more we experience a distorted perception of the body image, the more insecure we become.
This vicious cycle can lead to a feeling of shame. A moderate and constant sporting practice improves the possibility of feeling confident and comfortable in your body. Sometimes there is also a fear of not being able to support sporting activity.
The most immediate advice is to think about sports as part of your well-being and turn it into a baggage of fun. Sport can really be at the service of our well-being and we can discover that the body we are insecure about can respond positively and help us improve the perception we have of ourselves.
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