The Effect of the “Shuttle Time” Program on the Physical and Technical Training of Badminton Athletes

Abstract

Background: To achieve high sports results, specialists must consistently search for effective strategies and methods of improving badminton players’ physical condition and technical skills. Objective: Considering the urgency of the problem and personal sports experience, the work aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the Asian program “Shuttle Time” as an influence on the physical and technical training of students – badminton players of high sportsmanship. Methodology: This randomized controlled trial study involved 40 students in their 1st to 4th years of specializing in badminton (ages 18-22). The study subjects were divided into 2 groups – experimental (n=20) and control (n=20). The experimental group followed the “Shuttle Time” program, which included general physical training, special physical training, and technical and tactical exercises, gradually increasing in complexity and focusing on coordination, stability, balance, speed, and reaction. The control group trained according to the university’s sports development group program, focusing mainly on improving physical qualities. Technical training for both groups was assessed using four tests: performing a “Smash” shot on two targets from one point, executing a “Short shot” on two targets, executing a “Smash” shot in a straight line to the target from a fixed position, and performing a “Short” shot in a straight line to the target from a fixed position on each side of the court. The physical fitness of participants was evaluated through a series of tests, including a 20-m run, running 9.13-36.6-45.7-55 m (10-40-50-60 yd), standing long jump, high jump from a standing position, 3x10 m shuttle run, hexagon jumps for agility, and the Badcamp test. For reliability, the indicators of the study were processed using methods of mathematical statistics, including the calculation of arithmetic means (X) and standard deviations (S), and the application of Student’s t-test to determine the significance of changes in the results between the first and subsequent tests. The results of the study were processed by calculating arithmetic means (X) and their standard deviations (S), and the significance of changes in the results was determined using Student’s t-test, with a difference considered significant when p<0.05. Results: These studies showed statistically significant changes in physical fitness indicators and in comparison, group. Among the statistically reliable improvements in physical fitness indicators, the most significant was the increase in running speed during the 55 m distance, covering sections of this distance from 9.13 to 36.6 m, from 36.6 to 45.7 and from 45.7 to 55 m (p<0.01). The improvement in the technical readiness of the studied experimental group was more significant compared to the control group and statistically significant (р<0.05). Conclusion: Thus, the application of the “Shuttle Time” program makes it possible to objectively improve the physical and technical fitness of badminton players. Modernization of the training process using the Asian program significantly increased fitness by the end of the experimental study.