拳击运动有着悠久的历史。近年来，在英国，拳击成为了一项受大众喜爱的运动。许多人开始通过拳击来强身健体，不过除此之外，拳击还有其它好处吗？

 

Boxing has been practised for centuries – it was even one of the sports in the original Olympic Games in ancient Greece. More recently, boxing has become mainstream¹ in the UK, with hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life participating in the sport every week. But why? The answer lies in the physical, mental and even social benefits boxing can bring.

 

Its physical benefits are clear. Whether it's practising with a punching bag, sparring with a partner or facing an opponent in the ring, boxing can be an intense form of exercise and give a full-body workout. It can improve muscular strength, and it can also increase anaerobic² fitness – allowing someone to work out harder, for longer. These can, in turn, have a positive impact on other aspects of physical well-being³, like heart health and weight management.

 

But the high physical demands of the sport aren't just good for the body – boxing can also have a positive impact on someone's mental well-being. Dr Jessica Pinchbeck, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Fitness at the Open University, says that boxing ‘can alleviate⁴ some of the symptoms of anxiety and depression'. Exercising regularly is already widely known to be good for mental health, but boxing can also bring a sense of discipline and focus.

 

And there is a third benefit to putting on the boxing gloves. Practising punches can be done alone, of course, but boxing is not just an individual activity – it also involves working with others to train and stay safe. Dr Gavin Williams, Senior Lecturer in Education at the Open University, says that this cooperation and teamwork can ‘create a sense of identity… and belonging'. So, no matter what the reason that attracts someone to boxing, the interactive⁵ elements of the sport, mean it can also have profound social benefits. 

 

Good for body, mind and social interactions? It's not surprising that more and more people are stepping into the ring.

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