Little-known benefits of playing badminton

Besides burning calories and improving reflexes, badminton is also being recognized by many studies as having a positive impact on eyesight and eye-hand coordination.

Practicing badminton correctly and regularly can help improve eyesight - Photo: SEMS JOURNAL

Badminton helps improve eyesight.

Prolonged exposure to phone and computer screens, working in poorly lit environments, or staying up late for extended periods overwork the eyes every day.

If these habits are repeated over a long period without correction, the ability of eyesight to function properly can deteriorate prematurely.

What can you do to help improve your eyesight? Besides limiting unhealthy habits that are bad for your eyes, you can also choose to play badminton.

In 2019, the Badminton World Federation announced the results of the six-year project “Badminton Against Myopia,” a collaboration with the Russian Badminton Federation and the Helmholtz Institute for Eye Disease Research in Moscow.

A study that followed a group of children aged 7-11 for 18 months showed that playing badminton regularly had a positive impact on visual function. More notably, this sport was also noted to help improve pseudomyopia in young children.

That's not too difficult to understand considering the nature of the sport . According to BabolaT's analysis, badminton is one of the fastest racket sports, with the shuttlecock reaching speeds of nearly 500 km/h during powerful strokes.

To keep up with that trajectory, the eyes must constantly adjust, shifting focus between near and far, between fast and slow movements, and adapting to continuous changes in space. This process creates natural stimuli that help the visual system function more flexibly.

Players must not only observe the ball, but also constantly monitor their opponent, the net, the boundary lines, and their own movements on the court. Therefore, the brain, vision, and motor skills must coordinate almost simultaneously in each action.

Playing badminton regularly helps reduce the risk of nearsightedness in children - Photo: BWF

When these movements are repeated regularly, spatial awareness, reaction speed, and eye accuracy gradually improve over time. For those with mild nearsightedness or who frequently experience eye strain from studying or working, playing badminton can be a valuable way to help their eyes function more flexibly each day.

Tips to improve eyesight while playing badminton.

Simply playing badminton regularly provides positive stimulation for the eyes through continuous observation and processing of high-speed situations. With proper practice and consistency, players can significantly optimize their performance.

The first tip is to focus on eye-hand coordination. Simple exercises like juggling a ball repeatedly, tossing and catching a ball with one hand, or reacting to moving objects will help your eyes track the target better.

Badminton offers many health benefits - Photo: BAT

Next, practice to develop reaction speed. Players can have a partner practice serving the ball continuously from different directions, forcing their eyes to observe quickly, make accurate judgments, and their bodies to react almost instantly.

In addition, training reflexes in a multitasking state also yields positive results. Exercises combining movement, ball handling, and responding to auditory signals will help prevent the brain from falling into a state of familiarity.

For badminton to truly support eyesight, players still need to get enough sleep, supplement their diet with foods rich in vitamin A, lutein, and omega-3s. They should also ensure their eyes get adequate rest and limit exposure to electronic devices in dimly lit environments. When combined correctly, the benefits will become more noticeable over time.

ANH HAO - HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/loi-ich-it-ai-biet-tu-viec-choi-cau-long-20260518133831411.htm