Rugby For A Healthy Lifestyle
From developing core stability to improving cardiovascular ability, the health benefits of rugby are numerous and varied, and at the most basic level, rugby is as a method of increasing the time spent doing physical activity. Current guidelines suggest that adults should take part in a total of at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity at least five days each week.
For children the recommendation is a total of at least 60 minutes of at least moderately intense physical activity each day. At least twice a week this should include activities that produce high physical stresses on the bone and improve muscle strength and flexibility.
The Department of Health has also found that:
- Physical activity has a range of benefits during childhood, including healthy growth and development, maintenance of energy balance, psychological well-being and social interaction
- Physical activity is a major factor in reducing the likelihood of coronary heart disease in men and women
- Inactive, unfit people have almost double the risk of dying from coronary heart disease than more active, fit people
- Thirty minutes of at least moderately intense physical activity at least five days each week significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
- There is a decreased risk of stroke by up to three times for physically active middle aged people compared with their sedentary counterparts
- Group recreational sports and activities are likely to have positive social and mood benefits
There are a vast number of ways in which people of all ages can achieve these health benefits through playing rugby - and not just in 15-a-side leagues games. For more ideas, visit our leisure rugby pages.
