Badminton for the Elderly

 Badminton for the elderly can be an extremely useful way in keeping up with mobility, stamina, concentration, flexibility, strength and pure enjoyment out of life.  Any form of exercise releases endorphins into the bloodstream, which can elevate our mood and alleviate depression.  Badminton is not as strenuous as tennis, and so it can be picked up later on in life, without the added worry of injury.  Starting off slow to get your body used to any new activity is a good idea, so you don't experience muscle soreness or discomfort.  As with most exercise make sure you have the proper footwear, and loose comfortable clothing.  Warm up by stretching (All stretches should be held for 10 seconds and should be held steady with no bouncing or movement) for a few minutes and lightly walking around the court.  It is recommended that the elderly get 30 minutes of exercise every day of the week. (familydoctor.org)  You do not have to be going all out, or working out at  a high intensity to reap the benefits of exercise.  Look into your area for badminton clubs to join, or seniors centers may have community information at your disposal.  Not only is badminton an excellent form of exercise for the elderly, but it is also a great way to increase your social network and interaction with other people your age.  Other benefits include: increased heart rate,  reduce the bad cholesterol raising the good HDL cholesterol, it lowers blood pressure decreasing the risk of hypertension, it provides protection from heart disease and subsequent heart attacks, it lowers your risk of osteoporosis, and can also help maintain a healthy weight with proper nutrition.
 
    Badminton is such an adaptive game, that it can be accommodating for players of all skills and age levels.  Games can be decreased or increased depending on physical requirements. The whole idea of exercise for the elderly is just to get your body moving, keep your muscles active and your mind and concentration sharp.  If some shots are unattainable use whatever range of motion is possible.  Technique is not important, as long as your heart rate is increasing and you are up and active.  Badminton doesn't even need to played in a gymnasium with a net.  Players in seniors homes can play out on the lawn, or in recreation rooms where there is plenty of space available with high ceilings.  As long as there are two people and two rackets, any place can be adapted into a badminton court.   

    Badminton can even be played if the elderly person is in a wheel chair.  There is the I.B.A.D, or International Badminton Association for the disabled.  They have over 30 countries as members to date.  Wheelchair badminton was also a demonstration sport at the Beijing Olympics and will most likely be a competitive sport in 2012 in London.  In order to assist elderly and disabled people in wheelchairs, Velcro is attached to the top of the racket, so that the shuttle can be picked up when a player is unable to pick it up.  
 

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