How to Improve Your Athleticism at University

The new-found freedom many university students enjoy has its downsides when it comes to remaining fit and healthy. Being away from parental control for the first time can lead to a diet of nothing but fast food and discounted alcohol while the pressures of studying themselves can lead to long, sedentary periods in front of a computer or in the library, none of which goes anywhere towards keeping you in tip-top shape.

However, the good news is that being at university means you are also in the ideal place to get involved in a host of new activities that, should you take advantage of them all, will mean you leave in far better shape than when you arrived.

Join a sports team

The hugely diverse population of students at most universities means you have enthusiasts for every sport you can possibly imagine. A consequence of this is that you will be able to join teams for a wide range of sports, including many you might not have tried.

While it’s perfectly acceptable to stick with what you know, if you want to improve your athletic abilities across the board, it’s a good idea to embrace the opportunity to try out something new. Take yourself out of your comfort zone, and you’ll get far more out of the whole experience – and you may even find a new favourite sport.

Continue with your existing sport

When people head to university, it’s easy for them to get caught in a whirlwind and forget about their existing passions and talents. While some people may use their time at university to find new hobbies and sports to enjoy, it’s important that you don’t forget about the sports you already love. If you have your own sports equipment, then make sure to pack it and bring it along, such as your BMX bike or stunt scooter. If you want to give yourself more reason to carry on with an existing sport, then treat yourself to new gear; for instance, if you’re a professional at scootering, then replacing an old scooter with a top-quality stunt scooter from a pro scooter manufacturer can be enough to keep you inspired throughout the transition. If this sounds appealing to you, then browsing the range of Lucky Scooters at www.skates.co.uk could lead give you the drive to continue with a sport you love.

Who knows, if you continue to practice in a sport you already excel in, then you could also join a society and climb the ranks, one day becoming president of the club in your final year. This is a great achievement for all sportsmen.

Healthy body, healthy mind

If you need a further incentive to stay active, bear in mind that any improves you make to your levels of athleticism are likely to be reflected in your ability to learn. A study carried out by researchers from Michigan State University found that students who were more engaged with recreational sports and fitness activities while on campus, especially during their first and second years of study, had higher average marks than those students that did not.

Similar studies have shown that lifelong exercise is key to healthy brain function, especially later in life. Individuals over the age of 50 have been found to perform considerably better in mental tests if they had taken part in regular intense physical activity, such as playing sport, working out at the gym, cycling or running, throughout their earlier lives.

Tags: Health, sports

Category: Student Sport