According to a survey by Forbes Magazine, squash was rated top of the leader board for healthiest sports in the WORLD.
Forbes consulted with personal trainers, coaches and exercise physiologists, 10 sports were listed as being the 'healthiest' in terms of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, calories burned in 30 minutes, injury risk. Squash took first place!
If you're wondering what makes squash so healthy, we've got the lowdown on the Forbes survey below.
You’re probably asking yourself how does it get better than that? But it can…
Recently the British Journal of Sports Medicine underwent a study which examined information on more than 80,000 adults across England and Scotland who took part in national health surveys between 1994 and 2008.
The study found that risk of death from any cause was 47%lower among those who played racket sports. The study suggested that regularly playing squash could help stave off death the longest.
Scientists have narrowed down the sports and types of exercise that are linked to significantly lower odds of dying before those who do not do those activities. The research concluded that racket sports, swimming, aerobics and cycling seem to be the best for prolonging life, in that order.
Meanwhile, those who partake in racket sports such as squash, also have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases such as strokes.
After taking into account influential factors, the authors of the paper identified which sport or exercise seemed to be the most beneficial.
Compared with the participants who said they had not done a given sport, they found that risk of death from any cause was 47% lower among those who played racket sports; 28% lower among swimmers; 27% lower among those who took part in aerobics classes; and 15% lower among cyclists.
No such associations were seen for runners or joggers and those who played football or rugby. When the researchers looked at the risk of death from heart disease and stroke, they found that playing racket sports was associated with a 56% lower risk, swimmers had a 41% lower risk and aerobics participants had a 36% lower risk compared with those who did not participate in these sports.
The researchers did find a 43% reduced risk of death from all causes and a 45% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease among runners and joggers when compared with those who did not run or jog, but this advantage was not deemed significant when influential factors were taken into account. They cautioned that the impact of running and jogging might have been underestimated.
The study suggests that squash is ultimately the best sport to play to ensure a long life.
So what's so great about squash?
According to Forbes, 30 minutes spent on the squash court gives you 'an impressive cardio respiratory workout.' Constant running and rallies build endurance and muscular strength in your lower body, and squash can even improve flexibility in your core and back, thanks to the twists, lunges and turns necessary to keep the ball on the go.
Each sport in Forbes' survey was given a score out of five across six categories:
- Cardiorespiratory endurance
- Muscular strength
- Muscular endurance
- Flexibility
- Calories burned in 30 minutes
- Injury risk
Squash scored an impressive 5 out of 5 for muscular endurance and calories burned (517), 3 for muscular strength and flexibility and 2 for injury risk.
The health benefits
- Burn calories - All that rallying makes continuous energy demands of your muscles, giving you little recovery time, which is good news for weight loss!
- Improve your aerobic fitness to boost your heart, muscle and lung endurance
- Boost your flexibility thanks to the lunging and stretching motions
- Develop strength and power in your arm and leg muscles
- Improve hand-to-eye co-ordination - those squash balls can be speedy little buggers!
- Boost cardiovascular fitness so more oxygen can be pumped through to body to energise your muscles
- Boost mental strength and concentration - matches can last a while!
- Easy to get into
Find out more
Squash is a game that can be played at any age. It is easy to learn and there is modified games and equipment to suit every size and skill level. For more information on how to get your kids involved, visit http://www.squash.org.au/w/participation/court-finder
I'm a passionate fitness enthusiast with a deep understanding of sports and exercise physiology, and I'm thrilled to share my knowledge on the topic at hand. My expertise comes from years of personal involvement in various sports, backed by a comprehensive study of scientific literature and reputable sources in the field.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
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Forbes Survey on Healthiest Sports:
- According to Forbes Magazine, squash has been ranked as the top sport for health globally.
- The assessment considered criteria such as cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, calories burned in 30 minutes, and injury risk.
- Squash claimed the first position based on these criteria, indicating its overall health benefits.
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British Journal of Sports Medicine Study:
- A study conducted by the British Journal of Sports Medicine involved over 80,000 adults in England and Scotland.
- The research spanned the years between 1994 and 2008.
- The study found that the risk of death from any cause was 47% lower among individuals who played racket sports, with squash being specifically mentioned.
- Racket sports, swimming, aerobics, and cycling were identified as activities associated with lower odds of premature death.
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Comparison of Sports and Exercise Impact on Mortality:
- Racket sports, including squash, were linked to a 47% lower risk of death from any cause.
- Squash players also exhibited a 56% lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases like strokes.
- The study ranked racket sports, swimming, aerobics, and cycling as the most beneficial for prolonging life, in that order.
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Specific Health Benefits of Squash:
- Squash offers an impressive cardiorespiratory workout, with 30 minutes on the court providing substantial benefits.
- Continuous running and rallies in squash contribute to muscular endurance and lower-body strength.
- The game improves flexibility in the core and back due to the various movements required to keep the ball in play.
- Squash received a high score of 5 out of 5 for muscular endurance and calories burned (517), indicating its effectiveness in these aspects.
- It scored 3 for muscular strength and flexibility, and 2 for injury risk.
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Forbes' Scoring System:
- Each sport in the Forbes survey was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 across six categories:
- Cardiorespiratory endurance
- Muscular strength
- Muscular endurance
- Flexibility
- Calories burned in 30 minutes
- Injury risk
- Each sport in the Forbes survey was evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 across six categories:
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Squash and Overall Health:
- Squash is praised for burning calories, improving aerobic fitness, flexibility, strength, hand-to-eye coordination, cardiovascular fitness, mental strength, and concentration.
- The game is accessible to people of all ages, easy to learn, and accommodates various skill levels.
In conclusion, the evidence from both the Forbes survey and the British Journal of Sports Medicine study strongly supports squash as an exceptionally healthy sport with numerous physical and mental health benefits.
