Racquetball Facts

FITNESS BENEFITS

• The average number of calories burned during racquetball play ranges from moderate at 640/hour (Prevention, 1995) to 794/hour (Men's Health, 1995) - to a high level at 822/hour (Sports Training Institute). At the UW Racquetball Club, according to commercial heart rate monitors, top players average between 1000 and 1200 calories burned in an intense hour long match.




• An average game will take 20 minutes, during which a player will run a distance of approximately 3,650 feet - or over two miles in one hour of play. (U.S. Olympic Training Center).




• Racquetball players work at a constant rate of 75% to 85% of their maximum heart rate for the duration of the typical racquetball game. (USRA Elite Training Camp, 1992).




• Racquetball offers both aerobic and anaerobic benefits, with both sustained high level heart rate activity and quick bursts of energy required during play. The nature of the game, with intense bursts of exertion, is similar to high intensity interval training which has been shown to be the most effecient method to burn fat. (The main difference is that racquetball is fun!)




• Racquetball works nearly every muscle group, including sustained, repetitive use of large muscles that increase calorie burn and reduce fat percentage.
  
  

  PARTICIPATION (based on the 2005 SGMA study)

  
  

• There are 5,533,000 Racquetball participants in the U.S.




• The number of players increased by 13% in 2004.




• 69% of the participants are men.




• Racquetball participants are more likely than the general population to engage in activities such as squash, scuba diving, volleyball, and rafting.