Badminton could keep astronauts sane in space, study finds

A new study has revealed that playing the game of badminton in space can keep astronauts in good physical and mental shape.

The study accessed on 20 September reveals that astronauts on a Moon Simulation Analog Astronaut Mission at the HI-SEAS Base in Hawaii showed better psychological and physical health after engaging in the game of badminton.

Scientists are therefore exploring how the game can be integrated into the activities of astronauts on extended missions.

Making missions more fun

Space missions are among the most demanding anyone can embark on, and unlike regular missions on earth, they come with peculiarities such as lack of free movement and plenty of monotony.

As a result, such missions can be telling on the astronauts, especially during extended stays. Scientists are therefore on the lookout for a way to lighten the burden.

To test how Badminton could help improve the mental and physical wellbeing of astronauts on an extended mission, the researchers used five participants at the Analog Astronaut Training Mission site, HI-SEAS Hawaii.

They then tracked the emotional fluctuations and stress levels among the five crew members from Belgium, Israel, India, and the U.S., identified as Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo, using the mood map survey technique. 

The researchers collected data before, during, and after badminton sessions to assess mood, stress, resilience, and other psychological indicators, and found that badminton significantly improves astronauts’ psychological health, increasing energy and positive emotions while reducing fatigue and stress. 

“Overall, the research highlights badminton as a promising tool for enhancing astronauts’ mental health and physical fitness during long-duration missions, offering both immediate and long-term benefits for space mission well-being.” 

They however stressed that further research is required to fully assess feasibility and effectiveness in microgravity or deep space, focusing on specific exercise modalities that align with the environmental, physiological, and safety constraints of space habitats.