Looking for a new sport to play? Try water polo!
A popular sport in high schools, colleges and the Olympics, water polo combines the basic skills of swimming, basketball and soccer into one sport that’s played in a pool. The object of the game is to score goals with a small ball and prevent goals from being scored on your team.
Water polo is vigorous, entertaining and extremely fun to participate in. There are also many health benefits of playing water polo so let’s explore a few of them.
- Burns Calories
When you play water polo, you are guaranteed a non-stop, fat-burning workout. While in the water, you’re not allowed to touch the bottom of the pool. This means your legs must be kicking constantly and treading water to keep your upper body above water. This constant movement burns calories and helps lead to weight loss.
- Full-Body Workout
No part of your body sits still during a water polo game. You tread water with your legs, contort your body with your core, and you reach, catch and throw with your arms. Muscle groups throughout your entire body are engaged, and with repeated activity, they’re toned and build strength.
- Builds Endurance
As an intensive workout, water polo pushes the athletic boundaries of the player and increases their stamina and endurance. This is beneficial because it allows you to exercise for longer without becoming exhausted, making you stronger.
- Prevents Injuries
Water polo is an intense, physical game, but the fact that it’s played in water means it’s easier on joints than sports played on hard ground. Water acts as a cushion for the body so even when a player gets knocked around or dives hard for the ball, there is no hard surface to fall against and ensures you leave the water without major injuries.
- Relieves Stress
Playing water polo, beating your legs to stay above the surface and throwing the ball with your upper body strength, you will literally feel the tension float away from you. Over time, stress can build up in your body, making you feel tight and uncomfortable. Intensive exercise is an excellent way to relieve this tension and water polo is a great way to do it.
We’re A Proud Partner of USA Water Polo
NAYAD is proud to be the official drinkware partner of USA Water Polo, supporting water polo athletes in domestic and international competitions. Our insulated stainless steel hydration products will be used by coaches, staff and world-class athletes to keep them hydrated while promoting the elimination of single-use plastic. Learn more about our partnership here!
