The impact of badminton on health markers in untrained females

The purpose of the study was to examine the health effects of eight weeks of recreational badminton in untrained women. Participants were matched for maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O2max) and body fat percentage and assigned to either a badminton (n = 14), running (n = 14) or control group (n = 8). Assessments were conducted pre and post intervention with physiological, anthropometric, motivation to exercise and physical self-esteem data collected. Post-intervention, V̇ O2max increased (P < 0.05) by 16% and 14% in the badminton and running groups respectively and time to exhaustion increased (P < 0.05) by 19% for both interventions. Maximal power output was increased (P < 0.05) by 13% in the badminton group only. Blood pressure, resting heart rate and heart rate during submaximal running was lower (P < 0.05) in both interventions. Perceptions of physical conditioning increased (P < 0.05) in both interventions. There were increases (P < 0.05) in enjoyment and ill health motives in the running group only, whilst affiliation motives were higher (P < 0.05) for the badminton group only. Findings suggest that badminton should be considered a strategy to improving the health and wellbeing of untrained females who are currently not meeting physical activity guidelines.