How Many Calories Do You Burn in a Soccer Game?

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Playing soccer, either as a member of a competitive team or in a neighborhood park with a number of other fans, is an ideal way to keep in shape. The long distances you'll run throughout the game burn calories quickly and lead to a number of benefits, including stronger muscles and higher endurance.

A Moderate Calorie Burn

According to Harvard Health Publications, people who weigh 155 and 185 pounds burn about 260 and 311 calories, respectively, during 30 minutes of playing soccer. The rate at which you'll burn calories during a game of soccer is comparable to tennis, ice skating and racquetball.

Burn Varies by Position

Soccer games are typically 90 minutes in length, but it's not exactly accurate to triple the sport's 30-minute calorie burn. Substitutions mean you aren't likely to play all 90 minutes of the game. The position you play on the field also plays a role in the calories you'll burn. The goalkeeper, for example, burns calories at a lower rate because of the constraints of his position. Midfielders, on the other hand, are apt to burn a higher number of calories because of the amount of field they cover.