How playing sports benefits your body ... and your brain - Leah Lagos and Jaspal Ricky Singh

翻译人员: Mingying Wang 校对人员: Jenny Yang

The victory of the underdog over the favored team.

不被看好的黑马战胜了热门球队

The last minute penalty shot that wins the tournament.

比赛最后一分钟的点球 让球队最终夺冠

The high-energy training montages.

激情洋溢的训练视频剪辑

Many people love to glorify victory on the playing field,

人人都愿意 为比赛的胜利而狂欢，

cheer for favorite teams,

为喜爱的球队呐喊助威，

and play sports.

也积极参加各项体育运动。

But here's a question: Should we be so obsessed with sports?

但问题是， 我们有必要对运动如此着迷吗？

Is playing sports actually as good for us as we make it out to be,

参加体育 真有我们想象中的好处吗？

or just a fun and entertaining pastime?

还就是一个好玩的休闲娱乐？

What does science have to say?

另外，科学对此有什么研究？

First of all, it's well accepted that exercise is good for our bodies and minds,

首先，科学家普遍认可运动 对人们的身心健康有益

and that's definitely true.

这是毫无疑问的

Exercising, especially when we're young, has all sorts of health benefits,

体育对健康有各种好处， 尤其是年轻的时候

like strengthening our bones,

它可以让我们的骨头更结实

clearing out bad cholesterol from our arteries,

清除我们动脉血管中不好的胆固醇

and decreasing the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

降低患中风、高血压的糖尿病的风险

Our brains also release a number of chemicals when we workout,

当我们运动的时候 大脑也会释放出很多化学物质

including endorphins.

比如内啡肽

These natural hormones,

这些天然的激素

which control pain and pleasure responses in the cental nervous system,

主管我们中枢神经的疼痛和兴奋反应,

can lead to feelings of euphoria, or, what's often called, a runner's high.

也引起我们运动后的愉悦感。

Increased endorphins and consistent physical activity in general

内啡肽的增加和持续的体育运动

can sharpen your focus and improve your mood and memory.

可以使注意力更加集中， 情绪和记忆力也会变好

So does that mean we get just as much benefit going to the gym five days a week

这是不是意味着我们 一周去五次健身房

as we would joining a team and competing?

和加入一个团队并参加比赛 所得到的好处是一样的呢？

Well, here's where it gets interesting:

这是一个有趣的问题

because it turns out that if you can find a sport and a team you like,

事实上，如果你能找到一项你热衷的运动 并加入一个你喜欢的团队

studies show that there are all sorts of benefits

研究表明 那么你将收获的益处

that go beyond the physical and mental benefits of exercise alone.

远远超过独自锻炼所得到的 身体与精神上的收获

Some of the most significant are psychological benefits,

尤其是心理层面的收获

both in the short and long term.

无论是短期还是长期的

Some of those come from the communal experience of being on a team,

一部分的益处来源于 加入一个团队时所获得的集体归属感

for instance, learning to trust and depend on others,

比如说，学着去相信队友、依靠队友

to accept help,

学着接受别人的帮助

to give help,

学着去帮助别人

and to work together towards a common goal.

一起为着相同的目标而努力

In addition, commitment to a team and doing something fun

除此之外 融入一个团队并做一些有趣的事情

can also make it easier to establish a regular habit of exercise.

也可以促使日常运动习惯的形成

School sport participation has also been shown

学校体育社团的成员

to reduce the risk of suffering from depression for up to four years.

在四年之内患抑郁症的风险也大大降低

Meanwhile, your self-esteem and confidence can get a big boost.

同时，你的自尊心和自信心也会增强

There are a few reasons for that.

原因在于

One is found in training.

第一，在训练之中

Just by working and working at skills,

你通过不断的练习提高技巧

especially with a good coach,

在一个好教练的帮助下

you reinforce a growth mindset within yourself.

你就会形成这样一种观念

That's when you say, "Even if I can't do something today,

你告诉自己：“哪怕 现在还无法达到目标，

I can improve myself through practice and achieve it eventually."

我也会坚持练习，并最终实现 我的目标。”

That mindset is useful in all walks of life.

这是能让你受益终生的心态

And then there's learning through failure,

第二，是从失败中学习

one of the most transformative, long-term benefits of playing sports.

这是体育运动所带来的 最有影响、最长久的益处之一

The experience of coming to terms with defeat can build the resilience

走过失败时期的经历 能提高你的恢复能力

and self-awareness necessary to manage academic,

以及自知之明 这对于面对学习上、

social,

社交上、

and physical hurdles.

以及身体方面的困难都大有裨益

So even if your team isn't winning all the time, or at all,

所以尽管你所在的球队并不能次次取胜 甚至是屡屡失败

there's a real benefit to your experience.

这些经历对于你而言都是有益的

Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.

并不是每个人对每一项运动都有兴趣

Perhaps one team is too competitive,

一支队伍里可能竞争太激烈

or not competitive enough.

或者竞争不够激烈

It can also take time to find a sport that plays to your strengths.

找到一项自己喜欢的运动 也需要花费时间

That's completely okay.

这没有关系

But if you spend some time looking,

如果你花时间去找

you'll be able to find a sport that fits your individual needs,

你就能发现适合你的运动

and if you do, there are so many benefits.

如果你找到了，那么你将获益无穷

You'll be a part of a supportive community,

你会成为一个团结的队伍中的一员

you'll be building your confidence,

你会收获自信

you'll be exercising your body,

你能锻炼身体

and you'll be nurturing your mind,

你还能完善自己的精神世界

not to mention having fun.

更不用说你还会收获快乐