Dr. Mercola points out that there are a huge number of benefits to playing soccer for young women, above and beyond all sorts of other healthy activities.

Nothing helps young girls build strong bones better than the running and jumping associated with playing soccer, certainly in comparison to weight-lifting and swimming. LSU scientists put their hypothesis to the test by measuring and comparing the bone mineral density (BMD) in 16 adolescent soccer players, 29 swimmers and 19 weight-lifters.