The Physical, Mental & Social Benefits of Playing Basketball

4 mins to read

Basketball offers benefits that are not obvious on the court and can aid mental and social health. Learn how playing basketball can help you in overall growth.

Energy & exercise

It's hard not to be amazed at the physical skills of basketball players while watching what is often a fast-paced and action-packed basketball game. You'll quickly notice that the game involves dodging, dribbling, defending, shooting, running and passing the ball, sometimes doing both simultaneously. Players move the ball up and down the court by bouncing it, called "dribbling" the ball, while running at quick speeds unless they are stopped by an opposing team member trying to remove the ball from their possession. The aim is to get the ball to your goal at the other end of the court, to score a goal for the team, all while defending the ball against opponents.

All of this requires movements, which provide physical benefits, such as building strength, coordination, and motor skills. However, the game also requires quick thinking. In this way, basketball offers many other benefits that are not obvious on the court and can aid mental and social health.

Another great thing about basketball is that it is an accessible and inclusive sport suitable for all ages and abilities. There are now many ways of playing, such as walking basketball, a modified version of the game well suited for older adults.

Physical benefits of Basketball

Coordination and balance

Managing the movement of the basketball when it is in your possession involves dribbling around the court and passing it to other team members with the right speed and accuracy to ensure the ball gets to them while keeping it away from your opponents. This requires running, stopping and pivoting directions with speed and balance.

The game also involves using skills of catching and shooting the ball into a goal.

All these skills help to develop balance and sharp eye, foot and hand coordination.

Fundamental movement skills for life

Developing fundamental movement skills can help us take part in other physical activities, such as sports, to maintain our daily fitness throughout our lifetime, contributing to better overall health.

These essential skills include running, jumping, and overhead throwing, basic moves that can be used in other sports. For example, a player might jump while trying to shoot or jump to catch the ball.

Builds muscle strength

Running and jumping a lot in basketball engage the muscles in the lower body while dribbling and shooting work those in the upper body.

Builds bone density

Studies have shown that playing basketball has a positive impact on bone mineral density. For example, one 2020 study suggested that basketball players had higher bone mineral density than athletes from other sports, including swimming, volleyball, and football.

This is due to the weight-bearing nature of the sport, of jumping and running movements. Such weight bearing exercises can help support bone health.

Cardiovascular workout

Basketball is one type of physical activity that gives you a good cardiovascular or aerobic workout. This raises the heart rate and keeps the heart strong and healthy, which is important for heart health. Basketball can also help improve several other risk factors related to heart disease, such as weight management and stress reduction.

Builds endurance

A basketball game lasts approximately 40-45 minutes, during which the intensity and pace can vary multiple times throughout, switching from fast to slow. For instance, at one point, you may dribble the ball from one side of the court to the other quickly. At another point of the game, another team member may have the ball so that you may be walking, then speed up again to catch the ball and then start dribbling at a quick pace again.

As Sports Dietitian Australia explains, these repeated short, fast sprints with varying recovery periods mean basketball athletes use aerobic and anaerobic energy systems.

However, you are constantly moving to follow the ball's movements. This helps build endurance.

Basketball for Social Health

Social connections

You can have fun, and as a team sport, you can meet others and develop social and community connections over the game, which fosters a sense of belonging.

Teamwork

The sport refines teamwork skills, as you play in a team of 12 players working together towards a common goal of scoring the most goals against the other team while overcoming the highs and challenges that go along with this.

Coping skills and adaptability

According to the charitable organisation YMCA, children who play basketball can develop social skills and valuable coping strategies at school, home and with peers.

At the same time, it fosters healthy competition because of the opportunity to experience and deal with both wins and losses.

Problem solving

Playing basketball involves problem-solving as a team and developing strategies and game plans.

Communication

In basketball, communication with other team members involves verbal and non-verbal cues.

Mental Health Benefits of Basketball

The game means players need to think tactically, fast, and ahead of time to determine the best direction for where to pass the ball next to reach the goal.

Confidence

As Basketball Victoria explains, basketball is a team sport that can help younger players develop leadership skills, which can improve self-confidence and self-esteem. There is also the opportunity to represent the school, local club, association, and even your state or country.

Later, there are opportunities to coach or become a referee.

Coping skills for life

Meanwhile, the sport also helps with learning to cope with and embrace failures, accepting that they can happen, but also the lessons and growth that can be learned from them.

Improved cognitive function

A 2023 study found that those who followed a four-month physical activity training program that included basketball showed improved executive functioning. This improvement was more evident in the basketball programs than in those that didn't. The researchers believe this may have to do with basketball being a team sport that involves cognitive dimensions.

Focus

You need to be on high alert throughout the whole game to track where the ball is, to work out when and to whom to throw the ball, and when taking aim and shooting for the hoop. This can help cultivate more mindfulness and help to relieve stress, diverting attention away from outside stresses.