Forget going to the gym: playing darts has health benefits! Game boosts brain power and hand-eye coordination, doctor reveals
- While it's not a substitute for marathon training, darts can give your brain a boost
- Dr. Hilary Jones says the game is great for perfecting hand-eye coordination
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The pub game is not known for being particularly athletic.
But darts has a whole range of health benefits, according to TV doctor Hilary Jones.
The sport has captured the nation's attention in recent days after 16-year-old Luke Littler raced through to the final of the World Darts Championship.
Despite losing to rival Luke Humphries in the final, he is the youngest player to ever compete in the final of the annual event and secure a prize pool of £200,000.
While darts often goes hand in hand with a diet of pints and kebabs, Dr Hilary said it can boost your brain and perfect your hand-eye coordination.
Luke Littler (16) narrowly missed becoming the youngest ever world darts champion. But the game has its health benefits
Speaking on ITV this morning's Lorraine, he said the game can also boost social and social skills mathematical skills.
Throwing the dart with precision helps your brain practice coordination, he said.
“The more you play, the better you become because your hand-eye coordination improves,” says Dr. Hilary.
But these coordination skills aren't just good for darts, they can also be useful in “other sports and for picking up objects,” he added.
Coordination, reflexes and speed are known to decline with age, but doctors have long recommended practicing the skills to maintain them.
Playing darts helps your coordination, math skills and even your social skills, according to Dr Hilary Jones, who shared some of the game's benefits on ITV's Lorriane
Playing darts also involves some mental arithmetic, which gives your brain a 'workout'.
“When you roll 301 where you have to add and subtract your score, your brain is active,” said Dr. Hilary.
Practicing math is known to boost brain development in young people and improve brain power as we age.
The game also provides a good opportunity for socializing, which is essential for mental well-being and associated with staying sharp as you get older.
'Socialisation, joining a team, playing in a competition, whether that's in the pub, at home or anywhere, it's good socialisation,' Dr Hilary said.
However, he admitted that it is not a “replacement for marathon running.”