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Those who play sports have a longer life expectancy. Everyone is probably aware of this fact.

These seven sports extend your life the longest:

Tennis by 9.7 years
Badminton by 6.2 years
Playing football by 4.7 years
Cycling by 3.7 years
Swimming 3.4 years
jogging by 3.2 years
Gymnastics 3.1 years

The sports that top the list have one thing in common: they are played in teams or at least in pairs. It seems that team sports in particular have a positive influence on people’s life expectancy. Apparently, the component of social interaction plays a decisive role here.

The leader here is tennis, which can extend the length of life by an average of 9.7 years. Badminton players live about 6.2 years longer, according to the study. But football also has a positive effect on lifespan. On average, football players have a significantly longer lifespan of 4.7 years.

Individual sports extend lives longer than team sports

Individual sports also increase lifespan, but not to the same extent as team sports. Cycling accounts for an additional 3.7 years, swimming for 3.4 years, jogging for 3.2 years – this also supports another study, according to which fast runners live up to 15 years longer than dawdlers – and gymnastics for 3.1 years . But why is that?

Contact with other people seems to be an important reason here. “If you are interested in training for health, longevity and wellness, perhaps the most important feature of your training program is that it should include a play date,” said Dr. James O’Keefe, one of the co-authors of the Copenhagen City Heart study. The social interaction in team sports not only moves you, but also maintains social contacts, which is immeasurable for a long life.

Activities like running and weightlifting prolong life and provide numerous other health benefits. But the best thing would be for people who play these kinds of sports to supplement their training with activities that promote social bonding, says O’Keefe.

A lot of people wouldn’t exactly describe themselves as athletic. They just don’t feel the urge to move and can’t understand why others still like to do it and describe it as fun. But is it really the fault of non-sports people if they don’t like sports? Is it possible to get excited about regular workouts despite disliking exercise?

Is there a sports muffle gene? For these reasons, many people do not like sports

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern Carolina investigated whether not being able to exercise is genetic. To do this, they divided the laboratory rats into two groups: those who were willing to run and those who were not particularly fond of running. It could be determined that the offspring of the rats, who love to run, were actually just as efficient and strong as their parents.

Even if you can’t call it a “sports-muffle gene”, this study nevertheless suggests that enthusiasm for sports and performance is hereditary. However, this does not automatically mean that the child of a successful athlete can and will achieve the same successes as their parent.

Another study showed that strong runners have a particularly developed “reward system” in their brains. This reward system promotes the reinforcement of certain behavioral patterns, such as regular exercise, through feelings of happiness. Nevertheless, it can only be assumed that the special characteristics of this brain area can be passed on to offspring.

The path from not sporty to an active lifestyle: This is how it works

Social environment is also a big factor when it comes to how enthusiastic a person is about sports. If those around you do a lot of sport or simply have a positive attitude towards an active lifestyle, this is also transferred to us. This increases the likelihood that we will also count ourselves among the sports enthusiasts. But if our environment is just as unsportsmanlike as you are, you tend to feel accepted and encouraged in your own unsportsmanlike behavior.

Of course, our individual past also has something to do with our love or dislike of sports. For example, if we suffered a painful or long-term sports injury in the past, it may be that our enthusiasm for sports was permanently reduced as a result. You kind of condition yourself to refuse exercise. But just as you can train yourself to reject it a bit, you can also exorcise the inner couch potato.

Focus on fun: You do sport primarily because you want to do something good for your body. But what doesn’t matter is monotonous jogging on the same paths over and over again if it’s not fun. It’s important to find a sport that you enjoy. It can be anything: swimming, dancing, weight training or yoga. The main thing is that you are enthusiastic.

The good news: Less is more in the beginning

Sometimes less is more. Especially when you are in a motivational high, it is important to remain realistic. Only as many sports units should be undertaken as can actually be managed. It is still important not to expect immediate success, as this can have a demotivating effect. It’s better to set small goals and reward yourself.

Also important: make exercise a routine in everyday life. Movement is movement, no matter what form it takes. Sporting activity can also be easily integrated into everyday life and once you get used to the new normal, it doesn’t feel so much like sport anymore. Riding a bike to work, walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or stretching for 10 minutes every day when you wake up are all effortless ways to make life more active.

There is less sport in winter and there is generally less motivation to exercise when the temperatures are low. But winter sports can be fun and keep you fit. That’s why we have tips for indoor and outdoor sports in winter.

The sporting activity also suffers in winter among sports enthusiasts. Because if your fingers turn blue and freeze while cycling or the icy cold air hurts your lungs while jogging, it really is no longer fun. The question also arises as to whether the torture can still be healthy at all.

Getting rid of sluggishness in winter

For many people, the winter months cause weight gain and the so-called winter depression. Too little daylight and movement are the causes for this. For some who don’t do winter sports, that’s a reason to hide their sneakers and clothes in the back of the closet and leave them there for a few months. However, with the right clothing, motivation, and tricks, outdoor sports bring the necessary fun, joy, and, above all, health. Also, note our tips for driving away winter depression.

What sport can I do in winter?

In addition to the different types of winter sports, such as skiing, ice skating, or ice bathing, you can also pursue the usual sporting activities. As a result, you can continue to run, ride a bike, or use exercise equipment in the great outdoors. You might as well try some yoga in the garden. So if you want to get active in the cold, read our tips for exercising in winter.

The best tips for successful winter sports

Whether winter sports in the mountains or jogging in winter on your own doorstep. With the right tips, you can stay active and do something good for your health. In addition, also note our tips on how to escape the winter.

1) The necessary motivation for sports in the cold

With the right self-motivation, you can overcome your weaker self. And it’s worth it because sport contributes to your well-being and is good for your health. Sport in winter can strengthen your immune system. As a result, you will be spared colds and flu in the best-case scenario during a sporty winter. In addition, a personal trainer can provide the necessary motivation.

2) Choose the right sportswear

It is also important to choose the right sportswear for the respective winter sport. You should make sure that your head and ears are covered. On the other hand, you can feel a little cold, as you heat up a lot during winter sports outside. For more information watch the following video. In addition, also note how you can wash functional clothing properly.

3) Don’t forget to warm up properly

Also, don’t forget to warm up. For this, you should do some exercises for the first 10 – 15 minutes so that your muscles warm up. So start slow and gradually work your way up. This way you can avoid injuries. And then, after exercising outside in winter, you can treat yourself to a soothing winter spa on your own four walls.

4) Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids

In addition to the tips for exercising outside in winter, you should not forget to drink enough water. Because especially in winter, our mucous membranes are irritated by dry heating air and cold air outside. Then they are more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. In addition, a healthy diet is important. Please also note our soup recipes for the winter and tips on warming spices.

Wash and care for sportswear properly for long service life. Because functional textiles ensure that moisture is transported from the skin to the outside and you feel fresh for a long time during endurance sports. Functional clothing also protects your skin from cold, heat, moisture, and light.

Functional clothing is suitable for the gym, jogging in the forest, or skiing in the mountains. However, synthetic fabrics such as polyester, microfiber, and elastane absorb sweat. This makes them smell faster than linen or cotton. In addition, their dirt- and water-repellent impregnation can be impaired by constant washing.

Benefits of outdoor clothing

The functional clothing made of synthetic fibers offers a multitude of advantages. Because they protect against cold and rain and keep you warm. In addition, their breathable properties make them very popular. And for a long time, it has not only been popular with outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Functional clothing can also be found more and more often in professional and everyday life. But what about the professional care and washing of this clothing? We have the most important tips for washing and caring for functional clothing.

Prevent odor formation in sportswear

If you put your clothes in the sports bag after a sweaty run or after the cup game, mold and spores can form in the worst case. And these are difficult to combat. But at best, your clothes will only smell unpleasant. With the following tips, your sportswear will smell clean and fresh again, even after heavy use:

  • Let your clothes dry after training. Preferably in the fresh air before you wash them.
  • Wash sports clothing immediately after training. This way you can avoid unpleasant smells. A mild shower gel or shampoo is sufficient. If they are very dirty or smell bad, you should still wash them properly at home – otherwise, three to four hand washes are sufficient before you wash the clothes in the washing machine.
  • Soak your laundry in warm water with vinegar (4:1 ratio) before washing. This is how you can neutralize the unpleasant smells.

Wash sportswear properly

During training, skin flakes, sebum, sweat, cosmetic residues, or fine dust settle in your functional clothing. This creates unpleasant odors and unhygienic dirt. And these can damage both your skin and the functioning of your sports textiles. It is therefore particularly important that you wash and care for your outdoor and sports clothing regularly. You should note the following:

1) Observe care instructions

Always check the care label of the garment you want to wash first. Because from ski underwear and yoga shirts to training shorts and outdoor jackets, there are countless different types of textiles and properties. So there are also many washing symbols that you should pay attention to. Otherwise sensitive coatings or fibers can be damaged. As a result, the functionality of your clothing suffers.

2) The right wash cycle for functional clothing

First of all, you should clarify whether machine washing or hand washing is recommended. If your clothes are machine washable, choose a gentle cycle at a low temperature. Unless the care label provides specific instructions, the spin cycle should not exceed 800 ppm.

3) Use a gentle detergent

Use an appropriate detergent for sportswear. But you should never use fabric softener to wash your functional clothing. Because this can stick together the fiber structure, which is responsible for the exchange of moisture. Also, note our ideas for making detergent yourself.

4) Wash sportswear separately

If possible, wash your gym clothes separately. This way you avoid lint and other residues of normal laundry on your sportswear. You should also close all pockets and zippers. Otherwise, they could get caught in the fabric and form holes. Check out our other article for more useful laundry tips.

5) Dry functional clothing in the fresh air

Proper drying of laundry is just as important as proper washing. To do this, let your functional clothing dry in the fresh air. You should also protect them from direct sunlight. As this can affect the elastic fibers.

6) Waterproof outdoor and sports clothing

To prevent your garment from letting moisture through from the outside, it is impregnated during manufacture. Weather conditions and regular washing can have a negative impact on this dirt and water-repellent impregnation. That’s why it’s important to impregnate your sportswear yourself from time to time, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.