Is badminton a sport or game Why?

Badminton

Badminton is a competitive racquet sport played across a net. It is loved by the masses due to its simple equipment, lack of physical contact, ability to control the intensity of the game, and the enjoyment it brings while promoting fitness. The basic techniques in badminton include forehand clears, deep forehand smashes, drop shots, hairpin shots, lifts, drives, and forehand kills.

I. Fitness Value

Badminton possesses characteristics such as uncertainty, unlimited match duration, rapid bursts of power, unpredictability, and all-around movement. It offers fitness benefits such as improving physical fitness, enhancing immune system function, relieving fatigue, developing overall skills, nurturing a competitive spirit, and fostering a sense of enterprise.

Firstly, it has value for visual acuity. In a badminton match, the flight path of the shuttlecock is unpredictable. To quickly locate the appropriate hitting point, the eyes need to react swiftly. When the shuttlecock approaches at high speed, the ciliary muscles of the eye contract, the suspensory ligament of the crystalline lens relaxes, and the curvature of the crystalline lens increases due to its elasticity, resulting in increased refraction and clear vision of the incoming shuttlecock. As the shuttlecock moves away, the process is reversed: the ciliary muscles relax, the suspensory ligament of the crystalline lens tenses, the crystalline lens becomes flatter to ensure clear vision of the shuttlecock in the distance. Continuous receiving and returning of shots exercise key components of the eye, such as the ciliary muscles, crystalline lens, and suspensory ligament, which help prevent and improve visual weakness and myopia.

Secondly, it has value for the neck, shoulder, and spine. Badminton offers significant benefits to our bodies. For adults, who often work in offices, sit for prolonged periods, use computers and mobile phones extensively, badminton requires continuous movement and looking up to find suitable hitting points. This promotes good movement in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, resulting in exercise benefits. For children, playing badminton involves constant movement on the court, explosive leg power, quick movement to the net, and strong overall physical exertion. This helps enhance their coordination, reaction speed, agility, and promotes growth and development.

Thirdly, it has value for the respiratory system. The primary respiratory muscles include the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and abdominal muscles. Badminton strengthens these respiratory muscles, thereby increasing lung capacity. The breathing capacity of an average person is around 5-8 centimeters, whereas regular badminton players can increase it to 9-16 centimeters. The average lung capacity of an individual is approximately 3,500 milliliters, while regular badminton players have a lung capacity around 1,000 milliliters greater than the average person. Typically, an average person breathes 12-18 times per minute at rest, while regular badminton players breathe deeply and slowly, averaging 8-12 breaths per minute. This allows the respiratory muscles more time to rest.

Fourthly, it has value for mental well-being. Badminton, as an entertaining activity, not only provides enjoyment and intellectual stimulation for spectators but also offers a mental experience and enjoyment for participants. Regular engagement in badminton helps improve mental resilience, achieve a pleasant state of mind, and cultivate aesthetic sensibilities. Furthermore, it strengthens the competitive spirit of participants, enabling them to face intense social competition with a positive attitude and mental outlook.

Fifthly, it helps cultivate a sense of competition. In modern society, individuals with strong competitive awareness have advantages in survival, development, success, and progress. Badminton competitions have a distinct characteristic of natural selection, providing participants with the possibility of achieving success. This drives individuals to strive for improvement, fostering a spirit of competition and striving for excellence. Badminton athletes achieve victory through their skills, and the intense competition helps develop participants' competitive awareness.

Sixthly, it contributes to the formation of social roles and personalities. Badminton includes singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, each with different court sizes and rules. For example, singles require narrower courts than doubles, and there are serving limitations in doubles. The techniques and strategies in singles and doubles also differ. Sometimes, you can observe that someone who performs well in singles struggles in doubles, prompting them to reflect on their suitable style of play. In doubles, effective communication and coordination are crucial, involving discussions on serving positions, mid-court responsibilities, and rotational strategies. In mixed doubles, women primarily cover the frontcourt, while men mostly stay in the backcourt. This division of roles requires a clear understanding of responsibilities and mutual support to perform well. This mirrors the roles individuals play in society, where understanding one's strengths and assigning oneself a position allows for survival in society.

Seventhly, it facilitates the establishment of positive interpersonal relationships. Badminton practice always requires the participation of two or more people. During demonstrations by coaches, effective communication between players is necessary. This communication needs to be visual, timely, accurate, proactive, attentive, and involve ample information exchange. Badminton is played within a social environment, creating connections with the community. Through sports, individuals overcome loneliness, forget troubles and pain, communicate and coordinate interpersonal relationships, expand social interactions, and enhance social adaptability. For example, joining badminton clubs or associations allows individuals to exchange skills and meet like-minded friends. Through friendly matches, skills are improved, communication is enhanced, and relationships are strengthened. Therefore, badminton plays a significant role in promoting mutual communication, alleviating loneliness, and fostering effective communication and coordination of interpersonal relationships.

II. Suitable Population

Badminton is suitable for people of all ages. However, individuals with cardiovascular diseases, as well as those who are unsuitable for vigorous exercise and individuals with weak constitutions, should avoid engaging in badminton for fitness purposes. Additionally, badminton equipment such as rackets and shuttlecocks incurs certain costs, and playing in sports facilities may require expenses, which have certain economic requirements.

III. Venue and Equipment Requirements

Any spacious and flat area can be used for individual-to-individual badminton fitness. Badminton competitions require a rectangular court, with a length of 13.4 meters for doubles and a width of 6.1 meters for doubles and 5.18 meters for singles. The minimum overhead clearance on the court is 9 meters, with no beams or other obstacles within this height. There should be no obstacles within 2 meters around the court, and wind should be avoided. A badminton shuttlecock weighs between 4.74 and 5.5 grams and consists of 16 feathers attached to a semispherical cork base. The total length of a badminton racket frame should not exceed 68 centimeters, width should not exceed 23 centimeters, and the length and width of the stringed area should not exceed 28 and 22 centimeters, respectively.

IV. Key Considerations

Firstly, proper warm-up activities must be done before playing to stretch the muscles and tendons adequately to prevent injuries. It is important to learn the correct and flexible grip technique and avoid using a clenched fist or a weak grip.

Secondly, specific body parts need protection. Wrist, knee, ankle, and lower back injuries are most common in badminton. Special attention should be paid to protectingthese areas during play, and if necessary, wrist supports, knee pads, and back supports should be used.

Thirdly, after playing, it is advisable to immediately change into dry clothing to prevent cold air from entering the joints and avoid catching a cold. If sweating excessively, it is important to dry off the sweat, change into fresh clothing and socks, and wear appropriate attire to prevent heat loss. Avoid lingering in windy areas to prevent catching a cold.

Fourthly, it is recommended to perform static stretching exercises and relaxation activities for muscles and ligaments after playing to promote lactic acid metabolism, alleviate muscle and joint soreness, relieve muscle fatigue, and reduce the risk of injury caused by inadequate muscle recovery. Techniques such as kneading, tapping, and shaking can be used to relax heavily loaded muscle areas.

Fifthly, it is important to avoid consuming cold food and drinks immediately after exercising. It is advisable to consume small amounts of warm water and opt for warm beverages such as warm soy milk or warm milk to replenish energy. Once the body has returned to its normal state, eating bananas can help replenish potassium and other elements lost during badminton play.