Racquetball provides an exciting way to get vigorous exercise in a pleasant environment. It builds strong muscles and stamina as the player generates a powerful swing of the racquet while reaching for the ball and stays active throughout the game. Racquetball involves speed, strength and the nimble ability to move and change direction quickly. People can reap the health benefits of playing racquetball for a lifetime without getting bored.
Identification
Racquetball, an easy to learn game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and levels of play, provides numerous health benefits including a cardiovascular workout. A fast-paced game played with a racquet and ball in an indoor court, racquetball involves both aerobic and anaerobic exercise with quick bursts of speed and sustained high heart rate during play. Because of the simplicity of the rules, beginners can immediately enjoy the game and as their skill increases and their methods and strategies become more sophisticated.
History
Racquetball evolved in several steps. In “Racquetball: Steps to Success,” Stan Kittleson proposes that the game may descend from ancient games such as jai alai, handball and tennis. More recent history traces racquetball from Earl Riskey’s development of paddleball in the 1920s and 1930s. Joe Sobek created the current game, which he called paddle rackets in 1950 when he added a stringed racquet to increase velocity and control of the ball and combined aspects of paddleball, handball and squash.
Racquetball rapidly grew in popularity because of its health benefits and fun as the fitness movement gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s. By the mid-1980s, many racquetball clubs were turned into fitness clubs with the addition of aerobic exercise classes and fitness machines.
The Facts
During an average 20-minute racquetball game, a player runs a distance of about half a mile. According to USA Racquetball, the governing body for American racquetball, moderate play at racquetball burns from 640 to 794 calories per hour. A high level of play burns 822 calories per hour. Sustained high-level heart rate activity in racquetball offers a great aerobic workout. Quick bursts of energy required during racquetball play also provide the benefits of anerobic exercise.
Benefits
The Mayo Clinic indicates that aerobic activity can help people, regardless of age, weight or athletic ability, to feel better and enjoy a full life. Aerobic activities like racquetball help people lose weight, increase stamina, ward off viral illnesses by activating their immune system, reduce health risks and manage chronic conditions.
Additionally, says the Mayo Clinic, aerobic activity strengthens the heart and helps keep arteries clear. It reduces tension. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week reduces cognitive decline in older adults and helps them live longer than those who don’t exercise. In addition to providing these aerobic activity benefits, racquetball enhances muscle tone and hand-eye coordination.
Considerations
Consult a physician before beginning to play any strenuous sport such as racquetball. A thorough warm-up is crucial, according to Jahangir Khan in “Learn Squash & Racquetball in a Weekend.” Flexibility and strength are needed. To limit injuries and avoid stiffness, condition the legs for stretching, bending, stopping and starting, and the arm and shoulder for the swing and follow-through. Warming up not only may prevent injuries but also may enhance performance.
References
- “Racquetball: Steps to Success”; Stan Kittleston; 1992
- USAR: USA Racquetball
- Mayo Clinic: Aerobic Exercise: Top 10 Reasons to Get Physical
- “Learn Squash & Racquetball in a Weekend”; Jahangir Khan; 1993
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