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

譯者: Yun Chu Lin 審譯者: Christine Fu

The victory of the underdog over the favored team.

居於劣勢的隊伍大敗常勝軍

The last minute penalty shot that wins the tournament.

在最後一刻踢出關鍵球贏得比賽

The high-energy training montages.

高強力的訓練過程

Many people love to glorify victory on the playing field,

大多數的人都喜歡在球場上贏得榮耀

cheer for favorite teams,

為喜愛的隊伍歡呼

and play sports.

還有運動

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

但有個問題： 我們是否應該對運動如此痴迷？

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

運動對我們來說真的是好的嗎？

or just a fun and entertaining pastime?

還是只是消磨光陰的娛樂呢？

What does science have to say?

讓我們看看科學怎麼說

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

首先，運動的確能帶來身心靈的健康

and that's definitely true.

這是無庸置疑地

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

特別是年輕時， 運動會有很多益處

like strengthening our bones,

像是能夠強化骨骼

clearing out bad cholesterol from our arteries,

清除動脈上的壞膽固醇

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

減少中風的危險、高血壓及糖尿病的機率

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

在運動時，大腦也會釋放化學物質

including endorphins.

包括內啡肽

These natural hormones,

這些天然的荷爾蒙

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

可以在中樞神經系統 控制快樂及痛苦的反應

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

進而可以感受到愉悅的感覺， 或者，通常叫做“跑者的愉悅感”

Increased endorphins and consistent physical activity in general

增加內啡肽及規律的運動

can sharpen your focus and improve your mood and memory.

可以增強專注力、 改善心情及記憶力

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

這是否意味著，只要一週上五天健身房就能有許多益處

as we would joining a team and competing?

還是說要加入團隊且與他人競爭呢？

Well, here's where it gets interesting:

那麼，這裡就變得有趣：

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

因為事實證明，如果你可以找到一個 你喜歡的運動或是團隊

studies show that there are all sorts of benefits

實驗證明

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

就算只是獨自一人運動 也可以帶來很多益處

Some of the most significant are psychological benefits,

其中最顯著的是心理上的的益處

both in the short and long term.

對長期或短期而言都是如此

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

有些是從團隊經驗中得來的

for instance, learning to trust and depend on others,

例如，學會相信及依賴他人

to accept help,

接受協助

to give help,

給予幫助

and to work together towards a common goal.

並一起向相同目標努力

In addition, commitment to a team and doing something fun

此外，貢獻於團隊中並且做些有趣的事

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

也可以比較容易建立規律運動的習慣

School sport participation has also been shown

學校體育參與也被證實

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

降低罹患憂鬱症長達四年的風險

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

同時間也會大幅提升你的自尊及自信

There are a few reasons for that.

有幾個原因

One is found in training.

一是來自於訓練

Just by working and working at skills,

不斷的工作來訓練技巧

especially with a good coach,

特別是由好的教練帶領

you reinforce a growth mindset within yourself.

你會強化自己的成長心態

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

這時候你說 “如果我今天做不到，

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

我不斷練習增進自己， 最後就會成功”

That mindset is useful in all walks of life.

這種思維在人生每個層面都很有用

And then there's learning through failure,

再來是從失敗中學習

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

這是運動最顯著的改變及長期益處之一

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

從失敗的經驗中， 可以建立適應力及自我意識

and self-awareness necessary to manage academic,

以有效管理學業，

social,

社會，

and physical hurdles.

以及克服心理障礙

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

所以就算你們的團隊總是居於下風

there's a real benefit to your experience.

這樣的經驗才是真正有利於你的

Now, not everyone will enjoy every sport.

現今，不是每個人都喜歡所有的體育項目

Perhaps one team is too competitive,

也許，一隊是競爭太激烈

or not competitive enough.

或者也可能沒有足夠的競爭力

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

也可以花時間找尋 一個自己擅長的運動

That's completely okay.

這是完全沒問題的

But if you spend some time looking,

但是如果你多花一些時間尋找

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

你就會找到符合自己個人需求的運動

and if you do, there are so many benefits.

如果你去執行，會發現有許多益處

You'll be a part of a supportive community,

你將會是給予鼓勵和支持團隊的隊員

you'll be building your confidence,

你將建立你的信心

you'll be exercising your body,

你將會鍛鍊你的身體

and you'll be nurturing your mind,

你將會淨化自己的心靈

not to mention having fun.

更何況這是多有樂趣的一件事