Badminton is a sport that is popular among adults and kids as well. Many of us grew up playing badminton with our families, friends and neighbours when we were kids and as adults, we continue to play this sport with our friends and colleagues. As Malaysians, badminton is a sport that will remain close to our hearts.
Are you familiar with badminton? Badminton is a racquet sport similar to tennis, ping pong, squash and many more. One thing that sets badminton apart from the other racquet sports is the fact that all of these sports use a ball, unlike badminton. Badminton uses a shuttlecock. A shuttlecock is a cork with feathers attached to it to form a cone shape.
As mentioned earlier, most Malaysians grew up playing badminton and it was filled with fun and good competition. The aim would be to ensure the shuttlecock does not touch the ground.
Just like most other sports, badminton is a physical activity that provides many benefits to a player's physical and mental health. In this article, we are going to concentrate on these two specifically.
Physical Benefits
Exercising is a physical activity that is a means of keeping healthy and fit. More often than not, simply exercising can be boring and simply not fun. This does not mean that if you want to exercise, you need to endure a boring and mundane routine. You can achieve your fitness goals by playing badminton. This sport is not only a physical activity but also fun for all ages, fostering healthy competition. Let us explore the physical benefits of playing badminton.
Improves Your Energy
Badminton is known for its fast-paced rallies and is generally known as one of the world's most energy-intensive sports. In professional badminton, rallies can last more than 90 minutes and for this duration, the players will need to move at a very fast pace.
You might not aim to be a professional badminton player, but picking up this sport will not only improve your endurance but your overall stamina and energy. As you play badminton, you will realise that your metabolism will improve. This will benefit you in other aspects of your day-to-day life. From simple tasks such as walking, all the way to more intensive tasks such as climbing stairs will show improvements with the benefit gained from playing badminton.
Weight Reduction
Just like other exercises, playing badminton can help you get fit while shedding some unwanted weight the healthy way. Playing badminton is a physical activity that is fast-paced and requires a lot of movement. Unlike most other exercises, playing badminton is not only engaging but also fun. When you play badminton, you will run, leap, jump, squat and many more. Your entire body will be involved. Simply put, badminton is a full-body exercise. Individuals who take up a sport like badminton often stay committed to their goals and ultimately achieve their fitness objectives.
Playing badminton and keeping to a healthy and balanced diet, will enable you to see a positive difference in your weight.
Health Benefits
One of the main reasons people tend to exercise is to have a healthy life which is a life free from diseases. Badminton is a great way to get a full body exercise that can keep diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and many more at bay.
When you play badminton, you are strengthening not only your muscles but your heart. Regularly playing badminton can reduce the chances of cardiovascular diseases as well. Studies have shown that adults who play badminton have a lower chance of getting type II diabetes.
Mental Benefits
It's no surprise that exercising offers numerous mental benefits alongside its physical advantages. However, badminton stands out by providing specific mental benefits that extend beyond the typical 'stress relief' associated with other forms of exercise or sports. In this section, we will explore some of the unique mental benefits that playing badminton brings to its players.
Concentration
As we have mentioned previously, badminton is a fast-paced sport. A badminton player must be 100% in the game as a split second can cost them the entire game. In order for a badminton player to be good, they not only need to be physically fit to meet the physical demands of the sport but they must also be able to channel their entire concentration on the game at hand. Only with 100% concentration can they react correctly to the shuttlecock and also their opponents move as well. Badminton players are known for their ability to focus. This comes with training of course.
As a layperson who plays badminton for fun or to keep fit. This is one mental benefit that translates to other parts of one's life. This skill that you can hone from playing badminton can help you in your work life and even in aspects of your day-to-day life.
Reflexes
One of the main factors that separates a badminton player from the rest is their reflexes. If you have watched or played badminton, you must know that it is a fast-paced game. A good badminton player is a person who has very fast and quick reflexes. You might not have this skill as you start your journey in playing badminton, but as you play this sport, you will slowly realise that your mind and body’s reflexes will slowly improve.
Having good reflexes is highly beneficial for your mental health as well as your general preservation. It can help you in your day-to-day activities as well. For example, if you are driving, you will be equipped to react effectively.
Social Interaction
One of the best and most fun factors of playing badminton is that it is a group sport. You will need a minimum of 2 players. If you are someone who has social anxiety or someone who is looking for more social interactions, badminton is one of the best sports you can pick up. It gives you the ability to interact with people. If you were to play badminton doubles, it can also help you increase your communication and teamwork skills. These are also skills that are transferable to other parts of your life that can benefit you tremendously.
Badminton in Media
Badminton is recognised worldwide and has been a part of many people's lives since childhood. Many have played badminton with friends and family from a young age. It might come as a surprise to some that there have been many movies made about badminton that have been truly inspiring and captivating.
Racket Boys
Racket Boys is a Korean drama about a middle school badminton team’s journey as they rise the ranks while managing friendship and romance along the way. Set against the backdrop of a small town, the story centres around a diverse group of teenagers, each with their dreams and aspirations, as they strive to elevate their skills and rise through the ranks of the badminton world.
Gold
Gold is a Malaysian docudrama that was released in 2024 about the life of one of Malaysia’s most famous badminton players. This movie is about the journey of Cheah Liek Hou to achieving and winning the gold medal in the 2020 Paralympic Games badminton. On top of being a highly rated movie, it serves as an inspiration for every Malaysian.
Lee Chong Wei: Rise of the Legend
Lee Chong Wei is a movie about one of the most renowned badminton players not only in Malaysia but all over the world. In fact, as this movie is titled, Lee Chong Wei is seen as a legend in the world of badminton. This 2018 movie depicts his journey in the world of badminton. As a person beloved by people all around the world, this is a must-watch movie about the legend of badminton.
Why is Badminton a Fun Family Activity?
Badminton is a flexible sport that is fun for the entire family. Unlike many other sports out there, badminton is both flexible and versatile. If you are a family of four, you can play doubles, if there are more, you can add on or break up into smaller groups. One of the best parts about badminton is you just need racquets and shuttlecocks. Unlike other sports out there, it is not necessary to have a badminton court. You can play badminton in your garden, indoors at home or even in a park. You just need to ensure you have some space for running and pure fun!
If you are looking for badminton lessons, you should visit Superprof. Superprof is an online platform for anyone who wants to learn something, whether it be mathematics, swimming, or even badminton. Superprof has tutors that can help you not only learn but master it.
Superprof offers badminton coaches with significant experience, which is crucial to learning how to play badminton and pursue it professionally. Many of our tutors have not only participated in but also won competitions across Malaysia. To become a successful badminton player, it's essential to learn the fundamentals and techniques properly, and that's where our tutors excel. With a solid grasp of the basics, you'll establish a strong foundation that will support your journey in the world of badminton.
Our tutors can guide you through competitions and help you develop your skills further. Remember, it's also important to have fun along the way! We believe that by attending badminton classes with our tutors, you will achieve your goals.
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