What Are the Health Benefits of Volleyball?

You can significantly improve your health and quality of life by including moderate amounts of physical activity. Along with having a balanced diet, playing volleyball regularly for 45 minutes is a way to improve physical strength and health.

Burns Calories

Playing volleyball affects body fat percentage and the muscle ratio of the entire body in a positive way. According to FitnessHealthZone.com, 45 minutes of volleyball burns up to 585 calories, resulting in significant weight loss over an extended period of time. This reduces the risks of hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

Improves Muscular System

The physical activities involved in playing volleyball will strengthen the upper body, arms and shoulders as well as the muscles of the thighs and lower legs. Playing volleyball also tones and strengthens the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Improved circulation circulates more blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, improving the body's functions and your overall health and well-being.

Additional Benefits

Other benefits of playing volleyball are its effects on the body's metabolic rate. It enhances your energy level which improves your over all performance. Volleyball also improves hand-eye coordination and strengthens and develops fast reflexes. As with any type of physical activity, volleyball improves mental health and enhances the health of the bones and joints.

Study

Older adults participating in a chair volleyball program benefited from the positive effects that it had on their social health. A 2007 study reported in the Activities, Adaptation and Aging Journal examined 300 participants older than 55 years old. Of 222 who completed a 22-item survey, results indicated that the significant benefits of the program were a challenging activity, feelings of group participation and opening up new friendships.