The impact of badminton on health markers in untrained females

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to examine the health effects of 8 weeks of recreational badminton in untrained women. Participants were matched for maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O_2max) and body fat percentage and assigned to either a badminton (n = 14), running (n = 14) or control group (n = 8). Assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention with physiological, anthropometric, motivation to exercise and physical self-esteem data collected. Post-intervention, V̇O_2max increased (P < 0.05) by 16% and 14% in the badminton and running groups, respectively, and time to exhaustion increased (P < 0.05) by 19% for both interventions. Maximal power output was increased (P < 0.05) by 13% in the badminton group only. Blood pressure, resting heart rate and heart rate during submaximal running were lower (P < 0.05) in both interventions. Perceptions of physical conditioning increased (P < 0.05) in both interventions. There were increases (P < 0.05) in enjoyment and ill health motives in the running group only, whilst affiliation motives were higher (P < 0.05) for the badminton group only. Findings suggest that badminton should be considered a strategy to improving the health and well-being of untrained females who are currently not meeting physical activity guidelines.

KEYWORDS:

• Racquet sports
• running
• exercise motives

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the participants who gave up their time over the 8-week intervention. They would also like to thank Acentas GmbH (www.acentas.com) for the use of the team HR system that was used for the duration of the study. The study was supported by a grant received by Dr Patterson from the Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by a grant received by Dr Patterson from the Badminton World Federation (BWF).