The benefits of boxing 練拳擊的好處

拳擊運動有著悠久的歷史。近年來，在英國，拳擊成為瞭一項受大眾喜愛的運動。許多人開始通過拳擊來強身健體，不過除此之外，拳擊還有其它好處嗎？本文列舉練習拳擊的好處。

詞匯：exercise 體育鍛煉

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 mainstream 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 anaerobic fitness – allowing someone to work out harder, for longer. These can, in turn, have a positive impact on other aspects of physical well-being, 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 alleviate 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 interactive 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.

詞匯表

practise 練習
mainstream 主流的
from all walks of life 來自各行各業
physical 身體的
mental 思想上的，精神的
punching bag 練習拳擊用的吊袋
spar with 與…練拳擊
face an opponent 面對一名對手
in the ring 在拳擊臺內
full-body workout 全身鍛煉
muscular strength 肌肉力量
anaerobic fitness 無氧適能
well-being 健康
high physical demands of …對身體素質的高要求
have a positive impact on 有積極的影響
alleviate 減輕，緩和
symptom 癥狀
discipline 紀律，約束
focus 專註力
sense of identity 認同感
sense of belonging 歸屬感

測驗與練習

1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。

1. What kind of people do boxing in the UK?

2. True or False? Boxing is a workout only for the arms.

3. What impact can boxing have on the symptoms of anxiety and depression?

4. Why is boxing not just an individual sport?

5. What social benefits can cooperation and teamwork in boxing have?

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. They’re a really interesting band! Their music is quite unusual, they’re not _______ at all.

from all walks of life profound mainstream in the ring

2. My younger brother and I have always _______ each other, but we’re close.

had a positive impact on alleviated faced an opponent sparred with

3. Jumping rope can increase _______. It is a short but intense form of exercise.

full-body workout benefit anaerobic fitness symptom

4. A continuous cough and a high temperature are two _______ of Covid-19.

symptoms benefits disciplines focuses

5. My first teacher in primary school had a very _______ effect on me.

profound mainstream full-body physical

答案

1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。

1. What kind of people do boxing in the UK?
There is not one particular group of people that does boxing. People from all walks of life participate.

2. True or False? Boxing is a workout only for the arms.
False. Boxing is a full-body workout.

3. What impact can boxing have on the symptoms of anxiety and depression?
Boxing can alleviate them, make them less severe.

4. Why is boxing not just an individual sport?
Boxing also involves cooperation with others and teamwork.

5. What social benefits can cooperation and teamwork in boxing have?
Cooperation and teamwork can create a sense of identity and belonging.

2. 選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

1. They’re a really interesting band! Their music is quite unusual, they’re not mainstream at all.

2. My younger brother and I have always sparred with each other, but we’re close.

3. Jumping rope can increase anaerobic fitness. It is a short but intense form of exercise.

4. A continuous cough and a high temperature are two symptoms of Covid-19.

5. My first teacher in primary school had a very profound effect on me.