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Balance, Agility, and Strength in Amateur Badminton Players - Novel Badminton Specific Square-Stepping Exercise
Sponsor: INTI International University
Summary
The goal of this study was to determine whether a novel badminton-specific square-stepping exercise (bs-SSE) programme could improve dynamic balance, agility, and ankle strength in amateur badminton players. It also examined whether the programme produced greater improvements than usual activity alone. The main questions it aimed to answer were: Does an 8-week bs-SSE programme improve dynamic balance in amateur badminton players? Does the programme improve agility and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength? Are these improvements greater than those seen in players who continue their usual activity? Researchers compared an experimental group that completed the bs-SSE programme with a control group that maintained their usual activity. Outcomes were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8 using the Y-Balance Test for dynamic balance, the Agility T-test for agility, and a handheld dynamometer for ankle strength. Participants in the bs-SSE group showed significant improvements over time in dynamic balance, ankle strength, and agility, while the control group showed minimal non-significant changes. By week 8, both within-group and between-group comparisons favored the experimental group in several balance reach directions, bilateral dorsiflexion and plantarflexion strength, and agility. Post hoc analysis further showed that the intervention effects were most evident between baseline and week 8, with fewer significant differences at week 4. The findings suggest that the bs-SSE programme is a promising sport-specific training approach for amateur badminton players, with potential benefits for performance enhancement and reduction of sports-related musculoskeletal injury risk.
Official title: Enhancing Balance, Agility, and Strength in Amateur Badminton Players Using a Novel Badminton Specific Square-Stepping Exercise (Bs-SSE)
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 40 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2023-01-01
Completion Date
2025-06-30
Last Updated
2026-04-14
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Badminton Specific Square-Stepping Exercise (bs-SSE) Intervention
An 8-week structured, progressive, mat-based exercise intervention performed on a 2.5 m × 1.0 m mat divided into 40 squares. The intervention included a forward, backward, lateral, diagonal stepping patterns to simulate on-court footwork demands. Sessions were conducted 3 times weekly and included warm-up at light intensity (57% to \<64% HRmax), a 30-minute main training phase at moderate intensity (64% to \<76% HRmax), and cool-down at very light intensity (\<57% HRmax). This intervention was differ from conventional general agility drills, balance training and routine badminton practice by integrating badminton-specific movement demands into a standardized and progressive training format.
Locations (1)
INTI International University
Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia