The Effect Of 6 Weeks Of Balance Training Combined With Plyometric Training On Dynamic Postural Controls On Elite Badminton Players

Badminton requires players to perform high-paced movements with high intensity, such as frequent quick starts, stops, lunges, and changes of direction (COD). The combined training (CT), which consists of at least two types of training programs (e.g., balance training and PT), is one such promising strategy that can simultaneously improve multiple underlying domains contributing to dynamic balance. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of combined balance and plyometric training program on the effects of dynamic postural controls on elite badminton players. METHODS: Sixteen elite male badminton players participated and were randomly assigned to a combined balance and plyometric training group (CT) (n = 8) and plyometric (PT) group (n = 8). The CT group performed balance combined with plyometric training three times a week over six weeks (40 min of plyometrics and 20 min of balance training); while the PT group undertook only plyometric training for the same period (3-4 sets × 8-12 reps for each exercise). Both groups had the same technical training of badminton. To examine the effects of the combined training on the outcomes of dominant leg and non-dominant leg (time to stabilization and center of pressure), we used two-way repeated-measure ANOVA (group × time). RESULTS: N-TTS and D-TTS was significantly decreased after the intervention within PT groups (p < 0.009), while non-significant effect and percent change in D-TTS on CT group was observed (p = 0.427). D-COPAP (p = 0.007), N-COPAP (p = 0.001), D-COPML (p = 0.015), N-COPML (p = 0.001), and D-COPPL(p = 0.017) in the CT group were significant greater after the intervention as compare to all the other pre- and post-interventions. CONCLUSION: In elite badminton players, intervention using CT holds great promise to augment the benefits for dynamic postural controls compared to the intervention using PT only. Future studies are needed to examine and confirm the results of this study.