With racquet sports, it said that both Squash and Badminton are great for a healthier mindset – well, that’s what we have noticed over the years and members of your team say especially as both the racquet cousins allow a strong release of endorphins.
Both Tennis and Padel are good, but Squash and Badminton are the best sports for fun and competition – how so, well our founder and his associates have played from a young age and now as older, they still enjoy both sports over a business negotiation.
So which is one healthier? Well, let us divulge into the difference between the racquet cousins – one that is in the Olympics and got its major push following the 2000 Olympic Games and the other that made a strong statement following a strong showing at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Fundamentals of Badminton & Squash
Let’s not forget the obvious, Squash is a racquet sport played inside a boxed court. It’s played using a rubber ball that can bounce during the rally, whereas Badminton is also a racquet sport played inside on an open court with a net. It’s played with a shuttlecock and players aren’t allowed to let the shuttlecock bounce.
Amongst our team, many have played both sports and found the motor skills are transferable and also pull off the same kind of moves in a game – oddly enough, when our founder played in the novice leagues, he used a badminton trick shot to win a few games.
Health benefits on your mindset
In this day and age, your mindset requires a form of positive thinking, thus when it comes to brain work or thinking quickly, both badminton and squash require some form of reaction when serving or returning a shot.
That being said, Badminton is the fastest racket sport of all, as a shuttlecock can travel at 200mph when smashed; hence your brain will need to be in overdrive as it requires lightning-fast decision-making and tactical skill.
Compared to Squash, playing the sport also requires an agile mind, with ball speeds in excess of 150mph. But it has the added mental challenge of anticipating the direction the ball will travel when bouncing off the walls.
Either way thinking quickly can help you develop a positive mindset that takes away any negative thinking, you may have experienced.
Get an all-body conditioning workout
Badminton requires a wide range of movements, also playing helps condition your lower body, requiring great strength and endurance in your leg and buttock muscles.
Squash is especially good for the leg and buttock muscles, while the upper body benefits from powerful shots with a heavier squash racket. But it has fewer overhead shots and very little jumping.
Unleash your stress with either sport
Whether you are a business professional or just somebody who works as a specialist, stress is bound to come your way.
Now, when it comes to the racquet cousins – Badminton is considered a great stress-buster, but in a sociable way. You can face your opponents, however unlike in squash, so it’s easier to play doubles, making it a great game to play with friends.
As for Squash, nothing beats the satisfying, aggressive thwack of a well-hit squash ball. If releasing the day’s pent-up tension is what you’re after, squash is your game.
As we mentioned in a blog on stress and squash – there are a lot more reasons why Squash is a great way of decreasing your levels.
Both are great sports for people of all ages
Badminton can be a gentler introduction to coordination as the shuttlecock travels slowly when beginners play. It’s also a better choice if you’re older as rallies can be maintained at a slower pace.
Ironically, a study from Liverpool John Moores University showed that squash is not ideal for people over 45 who play casually because it can put too much strain on the body.
However, this was said to be wrong as a new study came about in 2017, highlighting that Squash is the healthier sport in the world for people of all ages.
As for younger people, when it comes to getting young people into Squash, can help young people gain confidence whilst improving their fitness and coordination – hence, these are crucial for children’s growth and development.
Now this shows why young people should take up Squash.
As for Badminton, well many young people experience the same health benefits as Squash – but know this it is a sport many participate in whilst at school. Furthermore, it is said badminton is a good sport that the family can enjoy too – the same applies to Squash.
Reduced risk of injury
Unlike squash, if play badminton you going to perform a range of overhead shots, making shoulder injuries more likely, but the non-contact nature of the game and lightness of the shuttlecock mean serious injuries are rare.
A Squash ball is heavier than a shuttlecock, so there is a risk of serious eye injury; this may not sound good, but when it comes to playing any form of sports there is a risk of injury – hence you in Squash or Badminton should always wear protective eye equipment to prevent serious eye injury.
To prevent a serious bodily injury, it is important to warm up properly before a game; along with taking a break between sets and most important cool down after a game to prevent muscle stiffness.
However, on the flip side, a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2016 found that playing squash was among the best activities for reducing the risk of death from any health-related cause by 47%, higher than swimming (28%), aerobics (27%), football (18%) and cycling (15%).
Final Thoughts
Overall, both Squash is healthier than Badminton; in fact, both are healthier than their racquet cousin – Tennis.
However, there are risks in playing but your coach will highlight these if you are beginning, so it is important to remember to warm up, stay hydrated, and cool down after a game to prevent injury.
In terms of which one has more value, it’s hard to say but know this Squash has produced more world champions than Badminton and Tennis.
To sum up, Squash is going through a serious revival and hopefully soon it become more popular than ever as a result of more Squash provision in local communities that are underrepresented in the sport, along with inclusion into the Olympics, from which we will see Squash become more popular on the same level as its racquet cousins.
