Improving Special Ability Performance of Badminton Players through a Visual Reaction Training System

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of a visual reaction training system (VRTS) in improving the footwork of badminton players. The participants comprised 20 high school male badminton players (mean age, 17.83 ± 1.57 years; mean height, 171.4 ± 11.52 cm; mean weight, 58.76 ± 9.32 kg) who first underwent a badminton footwork agility training program and subsequently, a fixed or random six-point footwork test and an agility t-test. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction was performed to identify differences in terms of response time, movement time, and total shift time. The results measured at midtest and posttest after the training intervention revealed significant improvements in reaction (p ≤ 0.01) and movement (p ≤ 0.05) time for the fixed six-point footwork test (p ≤ 0.01). The total time results for the fixed or random six-point footwork test and agility t-test at midtest and posttest after the training intervention revealed significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05). Badminton footwork agility training conducted through the VRTS enhances the ability and agility of badminton players. Therefore, researchers and coaches should evaluate the footwork of badminton players by precisely measuring and quantify their ability.