Volleyball is a fun way to stay healthy and fit. It can be played indoors or outside, on grass or sand, with a partner or a team of six. The benefits of participating are wide ranging. From burning calories, improving muscle tone, strength and agility along with improving interpersonal skills and so much more. 

Burns Calories and Fat 

One of the primary benefits of volleyball is it helps burn calories, an important component of a weight loss or maintenance program. Harvard Medical School reports a person can burn between 90 to 133 calories during a half-hour game of non-competitive while an hour-long game of volleyball on sand can burn up to 480 calories. 

Heart Healthy 

By getting your heart rate up, your body will circulate more blood and nutrients throughout your body, which improves overall health. 

Tones and Shapes the Body 

Regular play will strengthen the upper body, arms and shoulders as well as the muscles of the lower body. Playing volleyball also improves the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. 

Increases Metabolic Rate 

Playing volleyball enhances your energy level and improves your overall performance in other sports and workouts. 

Improves Hand-eye Coordination 

Volleyball is all about hand-eye coordination. When you serve, you must follow the ball with your eyes, and strike the ball at the right point. On defense, you must react to where the ball is going and get in position to make a play. While setting, your hand-eye coordination helps you see where your hitters are, to make sure to give them a good set. 

Builds Agility, Coordination, Speed, and Balance 

Due to its quick changes of pace and direction, volleyball places a large number of demands on the technical and physical skills of a player. These skills require flexibility, good balance, upper and lower body strength and speed in order to be played effectively. 

Builds Muscular Strength 

Volleyball requires a strong chest and core muscles for nearly every play. Passing builds the legs, setting works on the arms, thighs and hands and when hitting you need arms and legs to push up. 

Increases Aerobic Ability 

According to Well Source’s Aerobic Mile Chart, you expend the same amount of energy playing an easy, slow-paced game of volleyball for 20 minutes as you would jogging one mile. You expend the same amount of energy spent jogging a mile by playing a vigorous 12-minute game of volleyball. 

Improves Interpersonal Skills 

A June 2008 study of adult men who engage in regular team sports found that team members developed better networking skills than men who were less involved in team sports, reports the Centre for Economic Policy Research 

Boosts Mood and Increases Drive to Succeed 

Volleyball can improve mood, reduce stress and encourage pride in accomplishments as a team member. The activity can also improve your self-confidence, self-esteem, your body image and make you feel happier about life in general.  

Getting out and getting active is important for better health, both physically and mentally. Being active not only strengthens and tones muscles, it burns calories and can help alleviate the pain of arthritis. 

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