A Cross-sectional analysis of recreational badminton playing and its influence on body composition and cardiometabolic health in healthy older adults

Age-related chronic degeneration is associated with adverse changes in body composition, which can significantly affect cardiometabolic health in the elderly population. This study investigates whether playing weekly recreational badminton is linked to changes in body composition and initial cardiometabolic indices in the elderly. From the 98 potential seniors screened for eligibility (age >55 years old), the 36 volunteers deemed eligible are stratified into two badminton groups: high-playing time (9.72 ± 2.16 hours-week"1, n = 18) and low-playing time (3.34 ± 1.53 hours-week"1, n = 18). Non-racquet sports-playing control subjects (n = 16) are also recruited. For the instruments, blood analysis is measured using the finger prick test, and body composition is determined using Body Stat Quadscan 4000 analysis. Body fat percentage is found to be lower in the high-playing time group (20.7 ± 4.85%) compared to the control group (26.6 ± 8.52%) (p0.05). The results indicate that although the elderly who played more badminton exhibited favourable body composition and glycaemic state compared to the control group, such participation does not appear to offer any additional health benefits when compared to the lower playing counterpart.