Can Foosball Improve My Health?

5 Amazing Ways in Which Foosball Boosts Your Health

Buying a foosball table is usually a decision you make because you want to have fun - but did you know that this sport is actually good for you?

We did the detective work and discovered some incredible ways that regular foosball can keep you fit. Don't believe us? Read on!

1) Foosball Improves Your Hand-Eye Coordination

Of course, if you're playing without any finesse, and just slamming your foosmen as hard as you can, you may not get many benefits! Lining up careful shots, however, will see improvements in your hand-eye coordination. In fact, this has already been explored by medical professionals in many countries. For this reason, foosball is often used as part of the rehabilitation process after an injury.

Incredibly, foosball can even work to help patients get used to new prosthetic limbs. The precise coordination involved makes a big difference in their recovery. Tell that to the next person who complains that foosball is a waste of time!

2) Foosball is Good for Your Joints

Nothing makes you feel old like pain in your knees, ankles, or wrists - but foosball can help with that, too. Players with osteoarthritis have reported improvements, as the game provides a gentle but effective workout for the joints. You may not feel much of a difference while you're playing, but a game of foosball will see you on your feet, with your joints activated and not static.

It's essential to protect our joints as we get older, and take care when doing strenuous activities, like running, which can put a lot of strain on them. Foosball-loving seniors often feel fitter and healthier after a few games, and this low-impact activity can keep you flexible for longer.

Just keep in mind though that foosball can still cause injuries with too much play or taking improper care when playing. Foosball wrist injuries are amongst the most common.

3) Foosball Boosts Your Endorphin Levels

We hear a lot about endorphins, but what exactly are they? These mysterious hormones are key players in the "happy" part of your brain. They're released when you eat chocolate, fall in love, go for a run, or - you guessed it - play foosball. What does an endorphin release do for you?

• Relieves stress
• Reduces physical pain
• Gives you a buzz or a "natural high"
• Fights depression

All of these great effects can be triggered by a rousing game of foosball. Endorphins will leave you feeling something like the runner's high that athletes get at the end of a race, and will definitely help your mental health. Remember, you're more likely to feel this rush if you win, so get practicing!

4) Foosball Burns Calories

OK, you're not going to burn as many calories playing foosball as you do when you hit the gym. Think about it, though: We rarely make a choice between playing foosball and working out. Instead, we choose between playing foosball or watching TV, playing foosball or sitting at the bar, playing foosball or lounging around on the couch. Foosball may not be the most physically demanding activity you can do, but it's still a better choice than any of the sedentary options that you might go for instead.

When you play foosball, you're still moving your feet, twisting your body around, and getting some motion in - all of which means you will be burning some calories, in comparison with sitting down. Remember, for a healthy lifestyle, every little counts.

5) Foosball Reduces Stress

Stress isn't just a mental problem. It can have a huge physical impact on our bodies, too, leading to insomnia, outbreaks of acne, and even mysterious aches and pains. One of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce stress is by playing a game like foosball. The stakes are low, and it's an activity you engage in purely to have fun. Best of all, foosball requires concentration, so for the duration of the game, you'll forget all about your job, relationship, financial problems, or whatever else is getting you down.

Never underestimate the importance of downtime in your daily routine. Without it, stress can lead to even more health issues, so if you're starting to feel worried, hit the foosball table, let off some steam, and put your mind at ease.

Foosball: Healthier than You Think

To sum up, your foosball table isn't just the place where you go to kill a bit of time when you're bored. It can actually help your health. Time to get playing!

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