Did you know? Why is badminton called the "King of Sports"?
Because badminton players are all-round warriors!
Let's take a look at the advantages of up to seven sports are embodied in badminton!
1. The explosiveness and speed of sprinters
Badminton players have almost no chance to catch their breath waiting for the opponent's return shot; the entire game is played sprinting. It requires quick starts and quick returns, which demand rapid muscular contractions and explosive power.
2. The endurance of long-distance runners
Speed endurance is extremely important in badminton, with high-intensity intermittent characteristics.
3. The flexibility of gymnasts
Badminton requires players to have high flexibility. We often see players on TV doing splits to save a shot, something that most athletes cannot do. Moreover, actions like switching hands, hitting behind the back or between the legs, and overhead shots from the backcourt require thorough ligament stretching.
4. The coordination of javelin throwers
A badminton stroke is like a spring, starting from the feet, through the legs, hips, waist, back, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands. While innate factors largely determine a person's coordination, badminton training can lead to improvement and enhancement.
5. The quick reflexes of table tennis players
Badminton, known as the "king of speed," requires players to have quick reaction times and good spatial awareness and coordination.
Players must judge the direction of the shuttlecock and decide on their shot in a very short time, requiring comprehensive training in psychology, technique, physical fitness, tactics, and intelligence to develop conditioned reflexes.
6. The strategic insight of Go players
Just as in Go, where one must "anticipate the opponent's intentions and seize their weaknesses," in badminton, due to the high speed of the shuttlecock and the small court size, it is almost impossible to track the shuttlecock visually.
Therefore, almost all shots must be anticipated. Understanding the opponent's weaknesses and identifying their mistakes in time gives you a great advantage in defeating them.
7. The strength of fitness athletes
The jumping smash, commonly used in badminton, requires using the body's limited strength at the moment of the smash to achieve maximum speed. The chest muscles play a crucial role as a transfer station.
Therefore, for male players, developing strong chest muscles is paramount. Currently, Fu Haifeng holds the highest recorded speed for a badminton smash at 343 kilometers per hour. In doubles matches, players need to hit the shuttlecock 15 times in 20 seconds, and in a 45-minute match, the total number of shots by both players is around 2025.
With heart rates reaching 160-180 beats per minute for high-intensity badminton players, and 100-130 beats per minute for low-intensity play, players need to make over 300 adjustments involving direction changes exceeding 90 degrees in a 45-minute match.
Rapid muscle contractions or relaxations are required for quick starts and returns. High flexibility is needed, and playing regularly benefits shoulder and hip flexibility. In a singles match, players must make over 100 large swings of the arm to hit the shuttlecock.
The "King of Sports," badminton truly deserves this title! Join this joyful national sport now! You too can be an all-round warrior!
