Embracing agility through Badminton

Sports indeed enhance physical fitness. The activities improve coordination between muscle fibers and the nervous system. In badminton, a sequence of strategies – servicing near the short court, lifting the shuttle to the farthest possible corner, juggling between the near court and the third court, smashing at a proper thrust, and placing the shuttle at a gap, which is difficult to reach- shuffles and reshuffles. This set of physical activities twitches, tones, and tunes our aerobic and anaerobic muscle fibers. It also augments the individual capacity of cardiac and respiratory systems.

Badminton develops not only strength and stamina, but the game also nurtures patience and focus. Other than muscles and organs, nervous system also steers players’ moves in badminton.

Refined coordination between nerves and neurons acts as an important element in decisions of placing the shuttle, of smashing, or of deceiving an opponent at his/her weak points. This sound interaction between mind and body indeed forms a psychosomatic balance. It pumps up the endorphins. So, we feel energized and happy. My experience with badminton was equally charming and thrilling.

Surprisingly, within the 20 ft/ 44 ft dimension, I consolidated my mind and body. As an individual, the more I engaged with badminton, the more I expressed myself. Badminton encouraged me to accept my emotions, both positive and negative. I elated after deluding an opponent; was anxious to lose; endured till a game had finished; satisfied after winning; saddened after I had lost; practiced even more so that I could improve. I became lighter. I shed some inertia that I had acquired in due course of time. I believe that badminton helped me sail through the thrust and adapt the pressure of the one-year curriculum in XLRI.

I find that my interactions with badminton shifted my paradigm. I became agile – physically and intellectually.

Ushasi Sengupta is a research analyst in TCS. She completed her Post Graduate Diploma in General Management from XLRI, Jamshedpur in 2019. She is an avid enthusiast of outdoor sports, especially Badminton and Swimming. Apart from working from home, she is spending her quarantined days in writing and spending substantial time in physical exercise.

Comments

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