Badminton - Desporto de raquete mais rápido do mundo

Segundo um artigo no "The Guardian", o badminton é o desporto de raquete mais rápido do mundo. Num artigo escrito pela jornalista Lisa Buckinghan, da edição do passado dia 13 de Outubro, onde faz uma comparação entre badminton e squash, o volante de badminton pode atingir 320 km/h num remate!

"Brain work
Badminton is the fastest racket sport in the world - the shuttlecock can travel at 200mph when smashed - so it requires lightning-fast decision-making and tactical skill.
Squash also requires an agile mind, with ball speeds in excess of 150mph. But it has the added mental challenge of anticipating the direction the ball will travel when bouncing off the walls.
Body conditioning
Badminton requires a wide range of movements. It also conditions your lower body, requiring great strength and endurance in your leg and buttock muscles.
Squash is especially good for the leg and buttock muscles, while the upper body benefits from powerful shots with a heavier racket. But it has fewer overhead shots and very little jumping.
Stress-busting
Badminton is a great stress-buster, but in a sociable way. You can face your opponents, unlike in squash, so it's easier to play doubles, making it a great game to play with friends.
Nothing beats the satisfying, aggressive thwack of a well-hit squash ball. If releasing the day's pent-up tension is what you're after, squash is your game.
For older people?
Badminton can be a gentler introduction to coordination as the shuttlecock travels slowly when beginners play. It's also a better choice if you're older as rallies can be maintained at a slower pace.
A study from Liverpool John Moores University showed that squash is not ideal for people over 45 who play casually because it can put too much strain on the body.
Risk of injury
Unlike squash, badminton employs lots of overhead shots, making shoulder injuries more likely, but the non-contact nature of the game and lightness of the shuttlecock mean serious injuries are rare.
The ball is heavier than a shuttlecock, so there is a risk of eye injuries. In an eight-year Addenbrooke's hospital study, 59% of racket-sport injuries were caused by squash and 20% by badminton."
Lisa Buckingham - The Guardian