Cricket is a sport which can be played competitively or just for fun with no upper age limit constraint. It is a game for all generations. For competitions it involves two teams of eleven players each; whilst playing for fun it can involve three people to thirty! Who is counting? So whether you join a club or play on the beach, backyard, local park or playing fields, there are health benefits for one and all!
- Improves cardiovascular health Cricket involves bowling, throwing and quick bursts of sprinting across the field. These are great cardio workouts. Better heart health reduces the risk of dementia and diabetes. Increased blood flow to the brain helps lower stroke risk.
- Strengthens body muscles Due to the physicality of the sport, there is a lot of muscle activity. As you swing and hit the ball, muscles in your upper body are strengthened. Chest and arm muscles are used when you throw the ball and whilst scoring runs, the leg muscles are toned. Stronger muscles protect bones and joints when moving or under impact and thus help reduce the risk of arthritis.
- Enhances co-ordination and balance When catching or throwing a ball, hand eye co-ordination is at play. Similarly, hand eye co-ordination is needed when batting the ball. These aspects plus other concurrent tasks in cricket improve balance. Enhanced balance reduces the risk of falling and the risk of osteoporosis.
- Boosts mental capabilities Playing cricket involves long periods of concentration, strategic skills to plan defence and attack strategies, and quick decision making under pressure. These are all good brain work outs and help to reduce the risk of dementia.
- Increases social connectivity Cricket is a team sport and involves long hours of being together on and off the field. Having lunch and the renown afternoon tea together is part of the cricketing day; be it played professionally or otherwise. Belonging to a team or club and playing together boosts confidence and mood, lifts depression, provides stress relief and strengthens social connections. All improve mental health.