As local heroes like Charlotte Moore have demonstrated, wheelchair basketball is an excellent sport for people with disabilities. Moore has inspired several people by showing that it can be done despite her obstacles. The Coventry native has shone on the biggest stages of them all, winning three European medals and representing Great Britain at the Paralympics.
Now, wheelchair basketball is impacting the lives of so many other people in Coventry and beyond. Anyone can play it, and you don’t need to be a wheelchair player to give it a go. As such, it’s now an activity in several areas of the country, backed up by some notable growth the sport has recently experienced. Currently, 17,000 people are playing wheelchair basketball in the UK, and over 200 teams, with potential participation growth of up to 70,000.
Basketball is also a fantastic sport to both watch and play. Alongside exploring the benefits of wheelchair basketball, fans of the sport also watch the immensely talented professionals in the NBA. Big matches are now accessible to watch in England, fans are playing games like fantasy basketball and assessing any NBA lines before placing a bet on the action, and there are podcasts and YouTube channels that can be accessed with ease.
Wheelchair basketball fans also follow iconic events like the Paralympics. They’re shown on television and receive plenty of media coverage when Team GB is in action, and they’re an unmissable sporting spectacle, given the end-to-end action that typically occurs. There are also some clear benefits associated with wheelchair basketball, many of which can be experienced by Coventry’s local population should they decide to follow in the footsteps of Charlotte Moore and others. Below is a brief look at some of them.
Wheelchair basketball improves core strength
Core strength is vital in wheelchair basketball, and people can benefit from it when participating in the sport. Given that players have to dribble and shoot, the sport works on people’s core strength. A weak core can, therefore, be improved by playing in some action-packed basketball encounters, with numerous wheelchair players benefiting from a strong core after playing the sport for a sustained period.
It improves overall strength
Wheelchair basketball also improves muscles wheelchair players typically rely on. For instance, as players use their arms and legs to propel themselves forward, it makes for a fantastic upper-body workout. It can also improve lower body strength, with the slower movements representing another workout for other areas of your body, such as your legs and knees. Wheelchair basketball won’t put as much strain on specific areas, though, with the risk of injury being reasonably low compared to other sports.
It’s great for cardiovascular fitness
Wheelchair basketball also improves muscles wheelchair players typically rely on. For instance, as players use their arms and legs to propel themselves forward, it makes for a fantastic upper-body workout. It can also improve lower body strength, with the slower movements representing another workout for other areas of your body, such as your legs and knees. Wheelchair basketball won’t put as much strain on specific areas, though, with the risk of injury being reasonably low compared to other sports.
Another clear benefit of wheelchair basketball is undoubtedly the increased cardiovascular fitness people experience. Any form of basketball is an excellent workout for the body, but wheelchair basketball is arguably even more so. Players must use their arms and legs to keep up with the action. Running and lifting their whole body is a workout, putting hearts at their paces. Alongside getting your heart rate going, people can also burn calories and improve their core muscles. Overall, it’s a brilliant workout.
Other benefits
The benefits of playing wheelchair basketball don’t end there. It can also improve brain power due to the quick decisions required in court, its social aspect appeals to many, and it can also increase independence and self-confidence.
Another clear benefit of wheelchair basketball is undoubtedly the increased cardiovascular fitness people experience. Any form of basketball is an excellent workout for the body, but wheelchair basketball is arguably even more so. Players must use their arms and legs to keep up with the action. Running and lifting their whole body is a workout, putting hearts at their paces. Alongside getting your heart rate going, people can also burn calories and improve their core muscles. Overall, it’s a brilliant workout.
