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Coventry University helping older adults around the world stay healthy and connected through badminton
Badminton is well suited to older adults as it involves decision-making, co-ordination and low injury risk
Research news
Tuesday 13 January 2026
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Coventry University is playing a leading international role in a pioneering badminton programme designed to improve health, mobility and social connection among older adults worldwide.
Working closely with the Badminton World Federation (BWF), researchers at Coventry University have designed, tested and refined the Shuttle Time for Seniors programme, an adaptation of the globally successful Shuttle Time initiative originally created for children and young people by the BWF.
The programme is already making a difference to people’s lives in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa.
At its core this programme is about giving people a way to maintain movement skills, so they can stay independent and active for life. But it’s also about community.
It’s not just a sport programme - it’s about making connections. People stay for the badminton but they come back for the sense of belonging.
Professor Mike Duncan, Centre Director for Coventry University’s Research Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences
The Coventry-based trial demonstrated significant benefits for participants, not only in functional movement and physical confidence but also in mental wellbeing and social connectedness. These findings have directly informed the international roll-out now being led by BWF and evaluated by researchers at Coventry University
The research shows that racket sports such as badminton are particularly well suited to older adults because they combine multi-directional movement, decision-making, co-ordination and low injury risk, while also stimulating bone, joint and muscle health.
The programme, which has now officially launched internationally, is being delivered in countries including Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa, with further global expansion planned. Sessions incorporate age-appropriate badminton-based activities, balance and coordination work, cognitive engagement and time for social interaction.
This isn’t about pushing people through an exercise routine. It’s about moving at your own pace, together as a group. That social element, the tea and coffee afterwards, the chat, that’s just as important as the physical activity.
Physical activity is one of the strongest predictors of long life and good health. But if people lose confidence in their ability to move, they stop engaging. What we’re doing here is giving people that confidence back, physically, socially and psychologically.
Professor Mike Duncan
Sport, and badminton specifically, represents an important vehicle for promoting and sustaining the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults, however several barriers persist that effect participation. Our longstanding collaboration with the BWF is important in addressing several of these issues as we work to develop a Shuttle Time for Seniors - a community-based badminton specific exercise intervention which our initial work demonstrates can be beneficial for promoting several aspects of health and wellbeing.
We are currently conducting an international pilot study as avenue to improve the global potential of Shuttle Time for Seniors as an effective health promotion initiative.
Dr Jason Tallis from PASES, principal investigator on the project
Shuttle Time has always been about using badminton as a force for good – breaking down barriers to physical activity and sport by ensuring that badminton is truly accessible to everyone.
Our collaboration with Coventry University has been instrumental in extending this vision to older adults through Shuttle Time for Seniors, combining strong scientific insight with practical, community-based delivery.
This programme shows how badminton can make a real difference in everyday life, supporting not only physical activity but also confidence, social connection and mental wellbeing at every stage of life. By adapting our global Shuttle Time framework for seniors, we are reinforcing out commitment to badminton for all – ensuring the sport continues to enrich communities worldwide from young people to older generations.
Sahir Edoo, Head of Development Projects at the Badminton World Federation
Find out more about Coventry University’s Research Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
