Some people shy away from taking part in aerobic activities. Our bodies require exercise to stay healthy. But badminton can lighten and make cardio more enjoyable. So don’t hesitate in acquiring the best badminton shoes.
By regularly playing badminton, you are also performing aerobic exercises. But how? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
What is Aerobics?
Aerobic refers to the physical straining exercise that temporarily improves your heart rate and respiration. The aerobic activities include walking, running, swimming, using the cardio machine and other sports like badminton.
Usually, cardio involves high and low-intensity exercises that rely on the aerobic metabolism. Therefore the activity influences the oxygen intake to the muscles and energy released.
So, Why is Badminton Considered Similar to Doing Aerobics?
The Badminton game is similar to doing aerobics activities in many aspects. That is, the movements during the game and the energy requirement simulates that of aerobic exercises.
Here are further details:
The Movements in a Badminton Game
The sport involves constant movement in the court. And the type of badminton shot dictates the speed and kind of steps you need to make.
Often you have to trace the slow and consistent pattern. For instance, serving doesn’t involve any sudden leap or swift movement.
On the other hand, there are moments when you have to make sudden leaps to perform a shot. The sudden moves compensate for the training which the slow movement could not fulfill.
For example, when you wish to receive a badminton drop shot in time, you must perform either a full or half lunge. And during those few moments, your system has to cater for the high energy demand. And in that manner, it simulates aerobic exercise.
Also, to succeed in badminton, it’s wise to take part in endurance training. For that reason, activities such as running, jogging, and swimming help boost your aerobic endurance.
The Aerobic Energy Demand in Badminton
For you to play the badminton sport, three energy systems are necessary. That includes the following:
- Anaerobic alactic system ( for high-intensity demands over short duration)
- Anaerobic lactic system ( for high to medium intensity )
- Aerobic energy system ( endurance)
The anaerobic alactic system helps generate energy without the use of oxygen. As such, it can only support demanding activities for a limited time, typically seconds. The system thus supports quick sprints, lunges, and jumps.
But the anaerobic lactic system can support energy-demanding activities for about 2 minutes. When you need the energy to endure an activity over a longer time, the aerobic energy system comes in.
And usually, the length of a badminton game is about 30 minutes. But occasionally, it stretches over an hour. Thus to take part in the game from start to end, you need aerobic energy.
Note that in a badminton game, the three energy systems work concurrently. However, research indicates that badminton sport is approximately 60 to 70% aerobic.
In other words, you need more aerobic energy in a badminton game compared to other energy requirement. For that reason, most badminton coaches recommend that your badminton training should concentrate on aerobic training.
Such training gives you the ability to put up with protracted badminton games without developing fatigue quickly.
Conclusions
You need all three forms of the energy system in badminton. That’s because you have to make those quick lunges, jumps, and leaps.
However, the most demanding part is the endurance. You need the aerobic energy supply. Hence although you need to have the best badminton rackets, endurance training is also vital.