Physical Benefits
Research has shown that skateboarding has been proven to provide significant physical benefits. These benefits include but aren’t limited to offsetting diabetes and obesity, increasing physical endurance and improving coordination and balance.
The National Institutes of Health conducted a breakthrough study to show that diet and exercise can delay diabetes. The clinical trial proved that a half hour of low-intensity exercise daily, combined with a low-fat diet, reduced the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58 percent. The physical activity involved in skateboarding makes it a moderately intense aerobic activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which can aid in the prevention of early onset diabetes.
“Skateboarding is vigorous exercise and can be an important tool in the fight against obesity. In order to navigate the skateboard safely, a skater must use their entire body just to balance, push and propel themselves forward. The physical act of skateboarding works to build cardio and core strength, improve flexibility and fully develop balance and coordination skills.”
Coordination and balance are significant elements required to skateboard. This involves coordination between the skaters eyes, legs, feet and arms while simultaneously balancing on the skateboard. Increased coordination and balance aids with injury prevention, reduced chance of getting arthritis, improved cognitive function and quicker reaction times.
The physical benefits of skateboarding are abundant and go beyond those mentioned here. With your supporting contributions, we deliver access to these benefits and more to well-deserving youth in underserved communities around Arizona.