Somatic and functional compensations in junior badminton players

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the study was to examine mutual compensations of somatic and functional variables in a group of junior badminton players. Methods. The material of the study represented the results of 24 elite Polish badminton players with average competitive experience of 8.2 year. Basic somatic characteristics, coordination motor abilities, and motor fitness in terms of speed abilities, maximum anaerobic power, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory strength were examined. Results. The morphofunctional profiles in 7 players with top skill level are not identical. The variables that form these profiles interact with and compensate for each other. Some elite players show dominance of physical abilities, while somatic or coordination motor abilities are more pronounced in others. Several athletes were also characterized by a balanced morphofunctional profile. Conclusions. The phenomenon observed requires further examinations, especially those based on the data derived from the category of senior champions.