A demanding but no less comprehensive and accessible sport, badminton is on the rise whether in schools or in affiliated clubs. Why do so many French people “fall” into the nets of this discipline? Lighting with Peter Gade, former world number 1, today director of performance for French badminton.
Badminton is a sport that is becoming popular in France, especially at school. How to explain this success with young audiences?
“Badminton has benefited from its integration into the school environment by becoming a possible sporting activity for students and schoolchildren, observes Peter Gade, former world number 1, performance director of French badminton. In recent years, I have observed a passion and a growing interest for badminton in France.With major events organized in France for 7 to 8 years, badminton at the highest level has become more visible to badminton fans in France, partly explaining this growing interest “.
Is badminton a more accessible sport than tennis?
“Badminton is one of the most difficult sports of all sports, much more so than tennis, says Peter Gade. I would rank it as number 2 or 3 of the most demanding sporting activities after boxing and field hockey. Ice Badminton can be very traumatic for the joints and the body “, adds the expert. Indeed, the jumps and the numerous displacements can favor sprained ankles or knees. The tendons of the hand, wrist and shoulder are exposed to risk of tendonitis. But the traumas and wounds will be limited with an adequate warm-up (stretching and softening of the hands, wrists, shoulders, thighs and back). It is also recommended to take courses if you want to practice at a sporting level. A professional teaches the correct body placement, movements and technique to play and progress in the best conditions of safety.
Peter Gade confirms: by knowing the right gestures and adapting the activity to your condition and physical capacities (medical advice is recommended before any sporting activity, note), “badminton remains an accessible sport that you can always practice at the age of 70 “.
In its playful and adapted form, badminton even helps to “age well”: it would improve the quality of life and delay the age-related decline in balance and motor coordination, according to the results of pilot programs carried out in EHPAD (establishments for dependent elderly people) by the French Badminton Federation.
What are the benefits of badminton?
“His greatest strengths are to combine physical, mental, tactical and technical work”, points out Peter Gade. Concretely, the practitioners are winners in several fields: better balance, better reflexes, coordination of movements in space, development of tactics and strategy. Sport works endurance, speed, skill and precision in gestures, flexibility and concentration, recalls the French Badminton Federation. And the benefits don’t stop there: those who want refine their silhouettewill be delighted. Badminton, with these numerous movements, the speed and the force of the strikes, causes a heavy energy expenditure. Not to mention the big strengthening of thighs and glutes !
Where to practice?
“Go online – there are badminton clubs all over the world and lots of clubs and communities to join. Go for it!” encourages Peter Gade. In France, the website of the French Badminton Federation helps you find an affiliated club.
And also…
Want to see top level badminton? Meet the international champions and participate in workshops at “Legends Vision Tour”on December 3 in Paris. More information on https://legends.yonex.com/
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