In 2020, two out of three people reported engaging in regular physical activity or sports, and nine out of ten people participated in sports at least once during the year. [1] Although these figures seem high, according to the WHO, 31% of adults do not meet the recommended levels and are considered inactive. As a reminder, the World Health Organization recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week.[2]
Although the benefits of physical activity on health and fitness are well known and now widely accepted, it is important to briefly review its benefits for our health.
The benefits of physical activity
Considered a non-drug therapy for many chronic diseases, physical activity is:
- Good for the body and the heart
Regular physical activity protects your heart and has a positive effect on the prevention of many chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. It also strengthens your bones and muscles and reduces pain. [2-4]
- Good for the mind
Physical activity is a recognized protector of mental health and is an integral part of the treatment of psychiatric disorders. By positively affecting the production of certain hormones such as endorphins and dopamine, physical activity helps reduce stress and anxiety and improves your overall well-being. [2-4]
- Good for your sleep
Physical activity plays an important role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle. It helps you fall asleep more easily and increases the total amount of sleep you get by reducing nighttime awakenings.
- A source of pleasure and social connection
Physical activity is a great source of pleasure, passion, and social bonding. It helps you gain confidence, self-esteem, and independence.
The specific benefits of racket sports
Racket sports evolved from ancient games and have been influenced by different cultures, but in general these sports have a common Anglo-Saxon origin. Squash, for example, emerged in the early 19th century in English prisons, where inmates played with tennis balls and improvised rackets. Today, these sports continue to evolve and gain popularity around the world.
Improved endurance and greater strength
Racket sports are very comprehensive activities, combining different types of exercise (endurance, muscle strengthening, flexibility) to improve your cardio-respiratory capacity and strength. These sports require periods of sustained activity, especially when rallies are long, interspersed with short recovery periods, which challenges the cardiovascular system and increases the endurance of the heart and lungs.
Racket sports are excellent for overall strengthening, as they work many muscles in the upper body as well as the core and lower body. [6-9]
Improved cognitive abilities
Concentrating on following the trajectory of the ball or shuttlecock, anticipating where it will land and planning your movements all help to improve your observation, memory and coordination skills.
Racket sports also improve balance and agility, reflexes, concentration and mental alertness.
Longer life expectancy
A Danish study conducted in 2018 concluded that playing tennis could increase life expectancy by an average of 9.7 years. Badminton came in second place, increasing life expectancy by 6.2 years, followed by soccer, cycling, and swimming, with an average increase of 4.7, 3.7, and 3.4 years, respectively. [10]
It should be noted that these results can also be explained by other factors such as the socio-professional category of those who practice different sports, which is also correlated with life expectancy. The more comfortable our lives are, the longer our life expectancy increases, and the results are even more striking among men: “the most affluent men live on average 13 years longer than the least affluent men.” [11]
Is there a higher risk of shoulder injury?
For those concerned about heavy use of their shoulders, a recent study has highlighted that the risk factors and injury rates for tennis are similar to those for other sports such as golf and running. And if we take squash, most injuries are due to traumatic or acute events involving the lower limbs. [9] A study has also shown that tennis is an excellent activity for promoting musculoskeletal health. [7]
As with any activity, the risk of injury varies depending on the amount of exposure and the intensity of practice.
In short, regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining good overall health. It is an investment in your physical, mental, and social well-being that can lead to a better quality of life in the long term. Whether it's through racquet sports, dancing, walking, or other activities, the important thing is to find what you enjoy and stay active.
Sources :
[1] INSEE: “France, portrait social”. Edition 2022. Consulté le 28/10/2024.Disponible sur https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/6535289?sommaire=6535307#:~:text=14%2C9-,Figure%201%20%E2%80%93%20Taux%20de%20pratique%20par%20univers%20sportif%20en%202020,r%C3%A9guli%C3%A8re%20(au%20moins%20une%20fois
[2]Organisation mondiale de la santé: Activité physique”. Mis à jour le 26 juin 2024. Disponible sur https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
[3] Ministère des sports, de la jeunesse et de la vie associative: ““Les bienfaits du sport”. Consulté le 28/10/2024. Disponible sur https://www.sports.gouv.fr/les-bienfaits-du-sport-25
[4] AMELI: “L'activité physique et sportive : un atout essentiel pour le bien-être” Consulté le 28/10/2024. Disponible sur https://www.ameli.fr/doubs/assure/sante/themes/activite-physique-sante/sport-et-activite-physique-un-atout-pour-le-bien-etre
[5] HAS: “Guide des connaissances sur l’activité physique et la sédentarité. Consulté le 28/10/2024. Disponible sur https://www.has-sante.fr/upload/docs/application/pdf/2022-08/guide_connaissance_ap_sedentarite_vf.pdf
[6] Oja, Pekka, et al. “Associations of Specific Types of Sports and Exercise with All-Cause and Cardiovascular-Disease Mortality: A Cohort Study of 80 306 British Adults.” British Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 51, no. 10, May 2017, pp. 812–17, https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096822.
[7] Jackson, Matthew J., et al. “The Musculoskeletal Health Benefits of Tennis.” Sports Health, vol. 12, no. 1, Nov. 2019, p. 80, https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738119880862.
[8] Groppel, Jack, and Nicholas DiNubile. “Tennis: For the Health of It!” The Physician and Sportsmedicine, vol. 37, no. 2, June 2009, pp. 40–50, https://doi.org/10.3810/psm.2009.06.1708.
[9]Jayanthi, Neeru, and Stephen Esser. “Racket Sports.” Current Sports Medicine Reports, vol. 12, no. 5, Oct. 2013, p. 329, https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0b013e3182a4bad0.
[10] Schnohr, Peter, et al. “Various Leisure-Time Physical Activities Associated With Widely Divergent Life Expectancies: The Copenhagen City Heart Study.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 93, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 1775–85, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.06.025.