Effects of training in the preparatory phase on amateur badminton players’ performance

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of eight weeks of training during the preparatory phase on performance variables for amateur Badminton players. A second aim was to monitor the internal training load (ITL) during the training period. Seven state-level amateur badminton players performed a battery of tests at pre and post eight training weeks. The following performance tests were performed: vertical jump, badminton-specific movement agility test, 5m-Multiple shuttle test (5m-MST) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo test). After each training session, ITLs were monitored by session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Although there were no statistically significant differences between pre- and post-training, it was found an increase of 5.4 ± 9.3%, 4.7 ± 10.4%, and 4.7 ± 16.7%, respectively, in the 5m-MST, vertical jump performance, and Yo-Yo test after the training period. The ITL demonstrated that the preparatory phase presented a variation (e.g., low to high) during general preparatory phase (GP) and high ITL during specific preparatory phase (SP). Therefore, eight training weeks during the preparatory phase promoted important improvements in individuals’ analysis and percent change values on vertical jump, the 5m-MST, and the Yo-Yo test, although there were no statistically significant differences. Furthermore, the ITLs varied throughout the training period.