Cricket is often cited as a love affair with the soul. Cricket teaches us that even in tough times, a single shot can turn things around. It has been an established team sport for several years now and is one of the most popular sports across the world.
The sport is a fan favourite amongst all strata of the society, not restrained by gender or age limitations. Competitive cricket is essentially a bat and ball sport. It is played by two teams on opposite sides and involves batting, fielding and bowling.
There are 11 players a side and a game can last anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the format of the game being played.
Cricket can be played both socially and competitively, by males and females of all ages. It primarily involves running between wickets, as well as bowling and chasing the runs scored by the first team.
The intensity of emotions embedded in the sport render certain public health benefits as well as drawbacks for the general public.
WHO defines health as: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”.
Any sporting game encourages healthy lifestyle choices among people belonging to all ages and genders. It exerts considerable benefits on improving the bone metabolism, promoting cardiovascular and respiratory health, improving the sensory- motor and cognitive functions of an individual. Some crucial health benefits that cricket as an active sport aims to provide the players are:
- Endurance and Stamina Building – Players definitely need the strength to sustain their game and energy on and off the field for a long period of time. Sports helps to build it with time.
- Balance and Co-ordination Improvement – The game of cricket teaches the need to attain a balance and fine tune the coordination between the muscles, players, equipment usage and stay calm under any circumstances too.
- Physical Fitness Enhancement – One of the most obvious benefits, an overall regime is enhanced, and regular workouts and matches contribute to shaping the fitness levels of an athlete.
- Quick Reflex Building – The players with a sport as their profession certainly have higher reflex maneuvering and react quickly as per the changing situations.
- Calorie Burning and Muscle-building – Cricket involves activities like running, jumping, and throwing, which can help strengthen the bones and joints to a large degree.
- Improved Focus & Stress Relief – The overall concentration is enhanced, stress levels are controlled, and hormones are in check as the body works to balance the mind, heart and soul.
- Better Metabolism – The metabolic rate is elevated, as a clean diet and disciplined regimen keep an individual in check. Higher metabolism level is an indication of a healthy sports person.
- Higher Agility – The overall activeness and agility is accelerated, with regular movements and intense fitness routines.
- Team Skill Development – The art of team management is something only sports at a higher level can teach. Playing with people of varied sentiments and knowledge makes an individual learn the art of team building.
- Social Skill Development – Skills such as cooperation, communication and coping mechanism are built by playing a competitive sport.
My Perspective:
It is apt to say that cricket is a sport that is a perfect blend of physical push, skill development, and sportsmanship.
Following an exercise regimen and going to the gym every day isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. Instead, many young Indians play a sport to increase their physical activity.
Cricket as a sport is quite challenging and requires the players to be extremely fit and disciplined, in order to increase the life cycle of their career span. To ensure this, utmost importance to their health must be accorded.
The game truly nurtures the holistic character development and ethical conduct, which makes players drive their career gracefully and construct their longevity.
By: Tulika Agarwal
