What are the benefits of playing badminton?

Let’s be honest, smashing the shuttlecock towards your opponent with all the power you can muster is a great feeling, and a really good stress reliever. While many would quote this as the number one advantage of playing Badminton, there are many more, from physical well-being to mental wellness. The same could be said for most other sports, so why choose Badminton over the others?

Let’s have a look at what makes Badminton different from other sports.

The Benefits

• Low Impact: When it comes to being in close contact with other players, Badminton is at the opposite end of the scale from team sports like American football and individual sports like boxing and karate. Being a low-impact sport makes it much safer, not only for adults, but kids as well. Unlike team sports, there is no direct interaction between players. Doubles play comes closest to the possibility of person-to-person contact, and while no-one can rule out the risk of injury altogether, the probability is much lower than high-contact sports.

• Improve your concentration: Considering it’s one of the fastest sports in the world, you have to be quick on your feet and hone your reflexes, and that needs constant focus and concentration.

• Boost your heart functioning: Playing Badminton can help strengthen heart muscle, limiting the risk of clogged blood vessels by reducing the production of bad cholesterol. Playing badminton regularly conditions the body so that the basal heart rate drops a few beats per minute with a reduction in blood pressure as well. Please note, however, that people who have an existing heart condition should consult a doctor before taking up the sport.

• Improves muscle strength and flexibility: The necessity to move rapidly from one side of the court to another increases flexibility in your body. In the process, it also increases your muscle strength.

• Increases bone density: Playing Badminton improves bone density, thereby reducing the risk of fractures. It also helps with the development of the calcium matrix, which improves overall physical health.

• Relief from the general chaos of life: At all levels, Badminton is a great way to take time out from a busy lifestyle. It also offers many opportunities to socialise with people in this device-addicted Internet world.

• Workout: If you are someone who is not fond of lifting heavy weights in the gym, but want to workout with a bit more fun, Badminton is for you. You can burn a lot of calories with just one 30-minute session a day.

• Mental Wellness: Playing the sport not only gives you physical benefits, but can also help you cut down on your stress levels. Your body will reward you through the production of endorphins, relieving you from stress and anxiety.

• Easiest Racket Sport: Badminton is less technically complex compared to other racquet sports. It’s easy to learn and child friendly. Mastering the sport is another matter, though, and depends on your practice regime of course.

• Weather Friendly: Being an indoor sport, Badminton can be played 365 days a year and is not at the mercy of weather conditions.

• Impact Tolerance: If you are an active smoker or drinker and also want to be a Badminton player, the two might not go hand in hand for you. Smoking reduces your lungs’ vital capacity, interferes with your exercise tolerance and can certainly have an impact generally when playing Badminton. Drinking affects your decision making and constrains your agility on the court. As a Badminton player, you might have to stay away from smoking and drinking, which will ultimately improve your overall health in the long term.

• Fastest Way to Burn Calories: Racquet sports are one of the fastest ways to burn calories, especially if you play at intermediate or professional level.

Now that we have seen the benefits, let’s have a look at some disadvantages.

The Disadvantages

• Injury: Like many other sports, when you step on the court, you expose yourself to the risk of getting hurt. However, there are steps you can take to prevent injury. See Article 3 on injuries for ways to protect yourself.
• Long Term Side Effect on the body: If you are playing Badminton for a long period, you might be subject to wear and tear of knee joints, wrist, shoulder, hip, back. The risk can be minimised by doing warm up exercises before the games; using the right technique and footwork; regular exercises and a healthy diet.

Summary

As this article demonstrates, the health and social benefits of playing Badminton far outweigh the disadvantages. Like many sports, it’s a personal judgement call to balance the joy of playing with the potential risks. One thing is for sure, though, Badminton is one of the most popular sports in the world today.