| Summary: | 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 BodyStat 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%) (p<0.05). It is also lower in comparison to the low-playing time group (25.3 ± 6.22%) (p=0.06). Lean body mass is higher in the high-playing time group (50.3 ± 4.89 kg) than the control group (45.6 ± 5.69 kg) (p<0.05), with no differences found with the low-playing time group (48.0 ± 4.04 kg) (p>0.05). Similarly, the fasting serum glucose is lower in the high-playing time group (HPT) compared to the control group (p<0.05), but not different from the low-playing time group (LPT). The value of LPT was not significantly different from the other two groups (the control group and HPT) (both p>0.05). No significant difference in the lipid profile is present between the three groups (p>0.05). 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. © JPES.
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