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October 15, 2003
Squash Rated 'Healthiest
Sport' By Forbes Magazine
Squash has been rated as the top sport in a survey of the
'Ten Healthiest Sports' published by respected US magazine
Forbes.
Writer Neal Santelmann explains that "each of these
sporting activities is a great way to get you fit--and keep
you there." He also points out to those who plan to
try these sports that the list is "best pursued with
calculated abandon to reduce their risk of injury, as well
as in cross-training combinations to cover all of the basic
physiological components."
Ratings were based upon consultations with fitness experts
- coaches, personal trainers, competitors and exercise physiologists
- as well as "a dash of personal experience".
The four basic physiological components of fitness were
rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being "excellent,"
4 being
"darn good," 3 being "good," 2 being
"not bad" and 1 being "nothing special."
The survey also quantified the injury risk, rated on a
scale of 1 to 3, with 3 being "low," 2 being "so-so"
and 1 being "high." Calorie burn (in parentheses)
is based upon the energy expenditure of a 190-pound person
over 30 minutes and is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with
5 being 450+ calories, 4 being 400-450 calories, 3 being
350-400 calories, 2 being 300-350 calories and 1 being 250-300
calories.
The magazine points out that "Calorie burn rates are
from the American College of Sports Medicine; whenever possible,
we selected the rate for "moderate" or similar
intensity."
Scores were tallied to arrive at an individual rating for
each sport. "Of course," added Santelmann, "physiological
benefits, injury risks and calorie burn can vary widely
depending upon the technique, vigour, care and enthusiasm
with which you pursue the sport."
The citation for Squash - which scored an overall score
of 22.5, ahead of Rowing with 22.0 - reads: "The preferred
game of Wall Street has convenience on its side, as 30 minutes
on the squash court provides an impressive cardio respiratory
workout. Extended rallies and almost constant running builds
muscular strength and endurance in the lower body, while
lunges, twists and turns increase flexibility in the back
and abdomen. "For people just getting into the game,
it's almost too much to sustain, but once you get there,
squash is tremendous," says Paul Assaiante, head coach
of the five-time defending national intercollegiate champion
men's squash team at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.
Assaiante recommends a regimen of yoga, sprinting and distance
running for preparation. Be wary of groin pulls, torn Achilles
tendons and your opponent's racquet."
The ten sports highlighted in the Forbes survey (in final
rating order) were: Squash, Rowing, Rock Climbing, Swimming,
Cross-Country Skiing, Basketball, Cycling, Running, Modern
Pentathlon and Boxing.
The upbeat Forbes feature comes hard on the heels of a
British attack on Squash by The Times of London. The feature
by table tennis player Matthew Syed - plus a damning piece
suggesting that Squash is a dangerous game - have been universally
condemned by a number of leading figures in the sport including
world No1 Peter Nicol, World Squash Federation CEO Ted Wallbutton,
England Squash CEO Nick Rider, the Professional Squash Association
Executive Director Gawain Briars, British Open promoters
John Beddington and John Nimick, Dunlop International Marketing
Manager Paul Walters, English coach Malcolm Willstrop and
Squash Player magazine editor Ian McKenzie.
For full details of the Forbes feature:
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2003/10/01/cx_ns_1001feat.html
Issued on behalf of: WSF For further information: Howard
Harding
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