by Henry Chew

Created on: January 28, 2010   Last Updated: February 01, 2010

The game of badminton has become increasingly popular around the world. In England, the game has over 4 million enthusiasts since 2007, and their number just kept on increasing. Many people are aware of the fun and exciting aspect of the game, but only little is known about its health benefits. So, just what kinds of health benefits are there, from playing this game? Well, here are just some of them.         

1. Improves and strengthens the cardiovascular system

The most obvious and distinct health benefit, a badminton player can get, is a strong cardio vascular system. The thing about badminton is that, it involves a lot of sudden burst of rapid movements, and slow paced movements. Sprinting, lunges, leaps, jumps and stretches are just some of the many moves that need to be executed during an intense game of badminton. These are the type of activities that’ll send your heart racing. Just by playing it once or twice a week for an hour or so will help improve stamina and maintain a healthy metabolism rate.  

2. Burns fat

The badminton game is considered as a high intensity exercise. It can be tiring and it can be hard, but it can also help us to burn fat, fast. For an average male that weighs around 70 kilograms, as much as 500 calories can be burnt away when playing badminton for just 60 minutes. If you ask me, it beats walking as it only burns around 250 calories for the same duration. Burning fat while playing badminton is also less boring compared to walking.    

3. Delay signs of old aging  

The vigorous physical movements in a game of badminton help promote the activities of bone forming cells. Health advisors said that the badminton game can help prevent osteoporosis. Osteoporosis happens to mostly elderly women because of weak and low density bones. The badminton game also improves a person’s balance and body coordination which wanes off as we get older. This can be prevented or delayed with regular playing of the game. One thing about playing badminton is that it also helps releases stress and promotes restful sleep, which is good for the average modern people. All these can help us to age gracefully into our golden years.

Badminton is just a wonderful game that is both healthy and fun to play. It is a game that demands fast vigorous movements and involves a total body workout. The game can be very intense if played with someone skillful. So, if you ever got the chance to play the game, do not pass out the opportunity. Most probably, you’ll like it as much as many of us who have played and loved the game.   

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