Vivianne Miedema is boating in her bathing suit. In one of her latest social media posts the soccer star enjoys a day at sea, showing off her body in a bathing suit while vacationing in Ibiza. “Blended in with the boat. And plenty of Aquarius and palm trees this week,” she captioned the series of snaps. How does the Dutch professional footballer who plays as a forward for FA Women's Super League club Arsenal and the Netherlands national team stay in shape? Keep reading to find out.
1. She Plays Soccer
Vivianne plays soccer almost every day of her life. Mercedes Carnethon, MD, told the American Heart Assocation that soccer is a great workout for many reasons. “It is a game of continuous running and with very little stopping,” said Carnethon, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. “It also has anaerobic elements – that high intensity where you’re sprinting and then resting – you’re constantly moving.” Sports researcher Peter Krustrup, who has spent more than 15 years studying the health benefits of soccer, added that recreational-level play and soccer-related exercise drills can help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. Soccer also can help shift body composition by decreasing fat and increasing lean muscle.
2. She Exercises
Vivianne also hits the gym and does strength and weight training workouts to prep her body for the field. Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving. Each week adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity, according to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
3. She Hikes
Vivianne loves to hike. “No matter what type of trail you find yourself on, hiking is a great whole-body workout—from head to toe and everything in between,” says the National Parks Service. Some of the physical benefits include building stronger muscles and bones, improving your sense of balance, improving your heart health, and decreasing the risk of certain respiratory problems. It also offers many mental health benefits, according to a Stanford University study.
4. She Drinks Red Wine
Vivianne drinks on occasion. Her drink of choice? Red wine. “Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy,” says the Mayo Clinic. “The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks.”
5. She Hydrates
In her latest post, Vivianne holds onto a water bottle. According to the Mayo Clinic, hydration is important for a variety of reasons. Water helps get rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements, keeps your temperature normal, lubricates and cushions joints, and helps protect sensitive tissues.