1. The Health & Sports Challenge By: Patrick Branch Football Edition

2. The Skeletal System The skeletal system is very important in football. In such an impactful sport your skeletal system helps protect you from injuries. The skeletal system also helps us with movement by helping to stabilize your body. If you really want the skeletal system to work hard and protect you from hard hits, working out regularly helps to strengthen your bones. Remember, if you take care of your skeletal system, it will take care of you.

3. The Digestive System In order to play your best, you need to eat healthy foods so your body has the right fuel to feel your best too. Eating junk food can affect how you play and can also affect your mood. A healthy digestive system is the key to feeling great. And if you feel great, you’ll play great!

4. The Muscular System Our muscular system is the machinery that drives our athletic performance. More than 600 of our muscles generate skilled movements and produce energy for our specific sport competition. The muscular system helps produce our body’s movement throughout the game like throwing the football and even breathing. And if you want your muscles to stay healthy you should get a good workout everyday. If your muscles work hard, you will too!

5. The Immune System The immune system is very important in football. The important thing that you have to know about the immune system is if you keep it healthy, it will help prevent many diseases that could keep you from playing sports. To maintain a healthy immune system, eat right, get enough sleep and get vaccinated.

6. The Circulatory System The circulatory system or (cardiovascular system) is a very important part of playing football. During a football game the circulatory system works on permitting blood to circulate and transport good nutrients around the body like electrolytes, oxygen, and carbon dioxide around the body from cell to cell to nourish it. But if you want to keep your circulatory system working hard and taking care of you, just exercise and keep it healthy!

7. The Nervous System The Nervous system is very important while playing football. When you are playing football your nervous system controls your voluntary and involuntary movements while sending “signals” to other parts of the body. If you want to keep your nervous system nice and strong, you should get a good workout at least everyday like taking a nice jog around the neighborhood. So remember to always take good care of your nervous system.

8. The Respiratory System When playing football, the respiratory system will do its best to keep you moving. While you’re in the middle of a football game, the respiratory system keeps your heart beating and your blood oxygenated which helps you move faster and keeps you energized. Exercising helps to maintain your respiratory system which gives you more stamina on the football field.