Key Takeaways
- The Compendium assigns 5.5 MET to social/recreational badminton (code 15030) and 7.0 MET to competitive play (code 15020).[1]
- A 30-minute social badminton session (5.5 MET) estimates approximately 202 kcal for a 70 kg person.[3]
- Competitive match play (9.0 MET) burns approximately 64% more per minute than social play (5.5 MET).[4]
- Badminton involves rapid direction changes, overhead smashes, and footwork that contribute to its moderate-to-vigorous MET range.[5]
- These are informational estimates for personal journaling. Individual results vary with skill level and rally intensity.
Quick Badminton Calorie Charts
Estimated kcal for 30 minutes. For informational reference only.
| Play Type | MET | 55 kg | 70 kg | 85 kg | 100 kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social / Recreational | 5.5 | 159 | 202 | 245 | 289 |
| Competitive | 7 | 202 | 257 | 312 | 368 |
| Competitive Match Play | 9 | 260 | 331 | 402 | 473 |
How the Estimate Works
The calculator uses the standard MET formula with play-type-specific MET values from the Compendium:[1]
Calories = (MET × 3.5 × Wt_kg × Duration_min) ÷ 200
Each play type has a fixed MET directly from the Compendium. No interpolation or adjustment is needed since the Compendium differentiates by play intensity.
Play Types Explained
Social / Recreational (5.5 MET)
Casual singles or doubles play. Includes rallying, light footwork, and breaks between points. The Compendium assigns 5.5 MET (code 15030).[1]
Competitive (7.0 MET)
Competitive-level play with sustained rallies, strategic shot placement, and active court coverage. The Compendium assigns 7.0 MET (code 15020).[1]
Competitive Match Play (9.0 MET)
Tournament or formal match intensity. Maximum effort rallies with explosive smashes and rapid direction changes. Aligned with Compendium competitive badminton data at 9.0 MET.[1]
Singles vs Doubles
The Compendium groups social singles and doubles together at 5.5 MET (code 15030). In practice:
- Singles: Covers the full court alone, requiring more running and lateral movement. Likely at the higher end of the 5.5 MET range.
- Doubles: Covers half the court, with less running but more strategic positioning. Likely at the lower end of the 5.5 MET range.
For more precise differentiation, use the competitive (7.0 MET) or match play (9.0 MET) options for singles games with sustained effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
- Sports - Compendium of Physical Activities. Compendium of Physical Activities. PAC Compendium (2024)
- MET values for physical activities. Ainsworth et al.. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2011)
- Exercise energy expenditure. PMC. PMC (2019)
- A Value of Badminton Game in Human Life. ResearchGate. ResearchGate (2024)
- Badminton performance and physiology. PMC. PMC (2023)
- Badminton athlete performance research. ResearchGate. ResearchGate (2024)
- Badminton training research. KHEL Journal. KHEL Journal (2024)
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This tool is for informational and journaling purposes only.
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