WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Squash Rated 'Healthiest Sport' By US Magazine Forbes

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