Story #2

OU Students partake in intramural basketball at Huston Huffman Center.

Fun Weight Loss Program

As the country rapidly continues to gain weight, many look for ways to control and lose those unnecessary pounds. Basketball, being one of the world’s most popular sports, has proven not only to be fun, but a way for one to stay in shape.

The sport of basketball is a wonderful aerobic exercise. The jumping and running that encompasses basketball helps one to get physically fit in a plethora of ways. One of the most important ways is the amount of calorie loss. An hour of basketball can burn up to 750 calories. This is over a third of the amount of calories in a regular 2,000 calorie diet.¹

Basketball can also build up muscle.

“Since I started playing, I have toned up a lot,” Nathan Gwathmey, University of Oklahoma Junior said. “Without basketball I’d be real flabby.”

The muscles that basketball builds allow one to become stronger and more flexible which increase speed and agility.

Basketball also increases endurance, concentration, and self-discipline. All of these help one stay focus and alert throughout the day.

“I usually play early in the morning to get me going,” Vincent Williams, University of Oklahoma Junior said. “It’s like a morning cup of coffee.”

Basketball can be a great exercise tool for those who are looking to lose some weight, or just get in shape, but it is also enjoyable to participate in.

¹Statistics came from: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/hav/articles.nsf/pages/Basketball_health_benefits?open ; http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2391844/the_health_benefits_of_basketball.html?cat=50 ;